It Will Be Interesting To Hear (Thruthfully),

[MrsLulu]

how many atheists who are married, got married in a Church.

[wildwood]

Got married in a church a looooong time ago. Mrs.WW had religious parent and I couldn't care either way.

I believe that as we so called Atheists assist financially with the upkeep of those magnificent buildings with tax exemptions, grants etc., it is no crime to get married in one.

[RATTER15]

I agree Wildwood, churches are lovely buildings, these days I just couldn't utter all that God nonsense.

[daisya]

I personally think it's hypocritical to marry in a church if you don't believe in their doctrine, why would you if you aren't part of the faith? (Or have a child christened if you don't believe either). Also why do people call register offices "registry" offices, seems more do than not?

[Anngel]

And how many supposed Christians got married in a church just for the spectacle of a nice venue...and then never darkened its doors again? If you do not believe in a faith, a church is just a pretty building. However, there are so many awesome venues which are not churches I would not see the point of it.

[Anngel]

You get married in a registration office, shortened to registry office, then your marriage is registered! Simples

[RATTER15]

Some people prefer to marry in a church, like I said, I wouldn't do it again though. Atheist usually have little or no respect for religion so just use the church as lovely building, like I did.

[daisya]

Should be shortened to register office then, not registry IMO

[daffy654]

'Registry' office is incorrect and there is no such thing as a registration office anngel, the correct title is Register Office.
https://www.gov.uk/register-offices

[daisya]

Ratter - surely the very essence of marrying in church is to marry in the eyes of the Lord (or whatever phrase they use), meaning that those choosing to marry in church have some belief at least? If you could have a civil ceremony in church without god being mentioned then that's fine but I don't think you can - or am I wrong?

[daffy654]

To barry in a church I thought you had to go and have the banns read at services for several weeks before the ceremony, is that not the case any longer?

[daffy654]

*marry* no idea why I typed barry. lol :)

[naomi24]

daisy, //If you could have a civil ceremony in church without god being mentioned then that's fine but I don't think you can - or am I wrong? //

I don't think you're wrong.

[daisya]

Lol daffy - I thought that the case too unless they've changed it of late... if the banns are still read then surely those (who don't believe) who have attended church just for that and to be able to marry there are being hypocritical because they don't normally go to church anyway?

[daisya]

Thanks Naomi - you never know nowadays with changes that go on everywhere lol.

[naomi24]

Perhaps we shouldn't be too hasty in dismissing those who don't go to church on a regular basis but nevertheless get married in church as hypocrites. Very many people who don’t attend church services regularly consider themselves to be Christian.

[naomi24]

Daisy, true. I was rather hoping for a few more answers to this ....

http://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/Society-and-Culture/Religion-and-Spirituality/Question1237286.html

.... but they haven't been forthcoming.

[yogasun]

We didn't get married in church (1970) as we didn't go to church and so we thought it hypocritical (at the time most people got married in church whatever their beliefs or lack of them).
Didn't have either of our sons christened for same reason. Decided to let them make their own minds up.

[daisya]

Good point and you're right Naomi, what I meant & should have said was atheists and non believers who marry in church and aren't of the faith - rather than those who don't go to church.

[naomi24]

Daisy, I know what you mean, and that is hypocritical - but I think many of the people who do it don't really think about religion or atheism at all, and simply see a church as a place to get married in some style. The 'Day' with the dress and all the trimmings is the big thing for them.

[douglas9401]

Mrs 9401 was raised in the faith of Rome so can never be completely free, I on the other hand have no hangover from Sunday school.
We were married in the hotel where we had the reception, 25 years ago this year by one of the chaplains from the local hospital who didn't seem to be too perturbed by bonding a heathen and a fallen one.