With the exception of the occasional town-hall visit, marriages are typically associated with the various faiths. Having said that, where/how would an atheist get married? I might decide to get married one day, and as an agnostic, I'd like to know what my options are!
2007-12-04 14:54:34 · 31 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Anywhere you want. Beach, local hall, justice of the peace, boat... There are non-religious marriage officiants out there, and since marriage is a LEGAL issue and not a RELIGIOUS one, it doesn't have to be religious at all.
2007-12-04 14:58:24 · answer #1 · answered by Nandina (Bunny Slipper Goddess) 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
You have endless options! You can marry anywhere that you like. Marriage ceremonies do not have to be confined solely to churches or city halls. So long as the officiator is authorized to do so -- and others than clergy have such credentials -- the rites can be exchanged anywhere. An outdoor setting is lovely when the weather co-operates, but couples have been married in any site you could imagine. Couples are not required to say vows, either, simply because a ceremony ensues. All that is needed is to comply with the law so far as marrying is concerned; otherwise, there are no rules for marrying.
2007-12-04 15:06:37 · answer #2 · answered by Lynci 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Everybody gets married the very same way.The state requires you to sign a marriage license and witnesses sign too. You are then legally married. This takes place before whatever dog and pony show you want to put on. The person licensed by the state to be responsible for the filing of the license then usually tells you when they'll get it over to the proper dept at the courthouse. You can stop right there if you want. Most people go through some extra stuff for family and friends that will make it special to everyone.
2007-12-04 15:13:39 · answer #3 · answered by for the times 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I tried to fake being a Christian for a long time after becoming an atheist. I eventually realized that I was using church as a singles group to try to find a romantic partner (I guess because I assumed that all of the smart women with integrity were regular churchgoers). Once I started paying attention to the messages the minister was preaching, however, I realized this wasn't the place to be hanging out trying to pick up chicks. I was furthermore appalled with the collective docility of the regular church attendees. They would believe anything that was said from a pulpit spoken by anybody wearing a gaudy smock. I realized right off--since I am somewhat of a free spirit and free thinker--that this wasn't an institution that I wanted to be associating myself with. Maybe you should consider where you're coming from and whether or not you want your marriage to be forever associated with the Christian church. Old, stale customs will eventually become like meaningless motions and lose their function. You have to consider if this will dampen the mood of your wedding (which should be joyful and full of lavish freshness).
2016-04-07 09:22:17 · answer #4 · answered by Janet 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm atheist, my family is not.
My husband was raised Catholic, but prior married so I didn't have to have that argument.
We settled on the Unitarian Universalist church and the pastor worked with me to keep the g word and most biblical passages out of the ceremony.
I would have preferred a wedding chapel and a Justice of the Peace, but they were all booked and we were getting married in that month to take advantage of the tax laws.
Which is my main reason for being married anyway.
Peace
2007-12-04 15:05:06 · answer #5 · answered by Gem 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In the Atheists Church Of Latter Day Agnostics
2007-12-04 21:09:20 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Believe it or not, there are atheists and agnostics who take other people's feelings into account besides their own, so they choose to marry in a church or synagogue to appease the families comfort zone and as a way to identify with their history and culture.
However, its up to the couple as to what they choose to do because families usually have religious in laws who have feelings they need to take into account. After all, you are marrying the family, not the individual, and it makes it even more complicated once you have grandchildren, because there are more people to love, to hold, and to miss if you don't spend time with each other because of differences of opinion and belief.
2007-12-04 16:07:05 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Check out your local ethical culture society. They have both officiants that have the power of the state to marry people and often the facilities in which to do it.
I got married by a family friend who just happened to be a judge authorized by the state to marry people.
2007-12-04 15:05:22 · answer #8 · answered by CC 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm an atheist and my wife is an agnostic. We had a handfasting at a nudist resort presided by a Wiccan priestess, and got married on the beach wearing tiedyed t-shirts, presided by a non-denominational minister.
2007-12-04 14:56:57 · answer #9 · answered by dogwood_lock 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'll probably go through the ceremony close to my parents so they won't have to travel (town hall is fine, so are churches -- I can admire the art, even if I don't hold the same POV), then go off to a European or Asian country to party over the honeymoon.
2007-12-04 14:58:23 · answer #10 · answered by Dalarus 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋