From my perspective, it isn't simply about how I view the building, it's about the opinions of those who own and frequently use the building, and what it means to them.
Would you get married in a church?
- Thread starter Nitefly
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From my perspective, it isn't simply about how I view the building, it's about the opinions of those who own and frequently use the building, and what it means to them.
Associate
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For those of us who are Christian and have got married in a church, yes, it is to have the ceremony in front of god, I agree.
Having said that, I also know of many who have got married in church who are not religious.
I am Christian and do not find it offensive.
In those circumstances, I imagine I would be happy to get married in a church. I think that is very respectable of you.
Soldato
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This isn’t a thread for religion bashing or belief preaching, just for opinions on the following:
I really like churches. I think they are beautiful, traditional buildings that have been a place of many joyous occasions. As such, I couldn’t imagine a better place to become married. However, I am not a Christian. This, to some extent, makes me feel that it would be disrespectful for me to get married in a church.
I was asked “but surely if you don’t believe in God, then it doesn’t matter anyway?”. However, I cannot agree. I think it would, arguably, be mocking Christian beliefs by taking advantage of what is essentially a religious building for my own benefits.
I’m not getting married any time soon (thankfully), but I thought it was an interesting point of discussion. Is it right to get married in a church if you are not religious? What do you plan to do, or what have you done?
Looked at another way, I suppose a lot of Churches were built with the country's money in years gone by, so the country should have a right to use them.
/Devils' advocate
I know some Christians who do find it offensive.
The whole issue is subjective, there are no rights or wrongs here
Man of Honour
That is my opinion.. That's the beauty of debate
I still find it hard to understand that an atheist could enter gods house to be married yet doesn't call this hypercritical.
Soldato
I wouldnt have a religious ceremony, not sure if you can have a civil ceremony in a church? I think the only case I'd get married in a church is if it were the village church where I grew up, or one of significance to my other half, but definitely if I were to marry my current gf there is no chance it would be in a church.
Haha, I appreciate your argument but it is to technically based for me to take it into account.
Legal reasons.
Man of Honour
Further rights in the eyes of the law.
I know some Christians who do find it offensive.
The whole issue is subjective, there are no rights or wrongs here
And these Christians are probably the same people who feel some esoteric elitism based on their belief system.
Although in another guise, I suppose it could be seen as some subtle form of iconoclasm.
That is my opinion.. That's the beauty of debate
I still find it hard to understand that an atheist could enter gods house to be married yet doesn't call this hypercritical.
are you an atheist? if not, that may be the problem - to an atheist a church is not "god's house", just a building.
I am agnostic. I got married in Church. Primarily because my wife is (was?) Catholic and it was her Church, the same one that she got christened and confirmed in. We did not however have the Wedding Mass (would be silly as the groom would not have been able to participate) and when I was saying my vows I was saying them to my wife rather than to God.
Soldato
Did you have your own vows?
We made the usual minor adjustment (Cherish rather than Obey) however it was the priests first wedding in that church and he got a bit flustered so we just had the standard wedding vows. Always handy to have the "Hey, you promised to obey me before God!" line ready!
Man of Honour
I see your line of thought but a church is a place of worship.
not to me
You are taking something objective and making it subjective. A church, by definition, is a place of worship, regardless of whether you worship there or not.