Civil ceremony in a Chapel/Church?

onlyroz

Georgiegirl256 wrote: »

Tealover makes a good point. No one would ever go to a mosque and ask of they could hold their wedding there, so why would they do the same in a church?

What about mixed-faith weddings?

tea_lover

onlyroz wrote: »

What about mixed-faith weddings?

But that would still be a religious ceremony surely? eg. one partner is Christian and one not and they get married in church. Or one is Muslim and the other not and they get married in a mosque (no idea of the practicalities of that, just using an example).

The OP was asking about non-religious civil ceremonies in consecrated buildings.

Georgiegirl256

onlyroz wrote: »

What about mixed-faith weddings?

Faith, that's the key word there. If they were mixed faith, then surely it would be a religious ceremony? The OP is talking about having a civil ceremony in a religious building.

onlyroz

Georgiegirl256 wrote: »

Faith, that's the key word there. If they were mixed faith, then surely it would be a religious ceremony? The OP is talking about having a civil ceremony in a religious building.

I was responding to the comment "No one would ever go to a mosque and ask of they could hold their wedding there". What if a Muslim wanted to marry a Christian in a Christian church? Presumably that would fill you with just as much horror as an atheist couple wanting to get married in a church?

tea_lover

onlyroz wrote: »

I was responding to the comment "No one would ever go to a mosque and ask of they could hold their wedding there". What if a Muslim wanted to marry a Christian in a Christian church? Presumably that would fill you with just as much horror as an atheist couple wanting to get married in a church?

A Christian marrying in a church wouldn't fill me with any type of horror. Whether they were marrying a Christian, an atheist or someone of a different religion. I can completely see why a Christian would want to marry in church.

What I can't see is why non-Christians (who can marry pretty much anywhere else) would want to marry in church - whether with a religious or civil service. And why they wouldn't see that this could potentially be offensive to the members of that church.

It's not like there's a shortage of amazing civil venues to choose from
http://thisisfunky.com/funky-weddings/

thorsoak

itsanne wrote: »

I don't see why it's remotely hypocritical to want a civil ceremony in a church. For someone who is not religious, why would the 'pretty' aspect be any less valid there than for any other building chosen for it's appearance?

[img src="http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/smiley-confused013.gif"][/IMG]

If you want pretty choose a manor house, a fancy hotel, a castle - a church is a consecrated - ie sacred - place to Christians.

It is not a civil building - it is an ecclesiastical one.

Georgiegirl256

onlyroz wrote: »

I was responding to the comment "No one would ever go to a mosque and ask of they could hold their wedding there". What if a Muslim wanted to marry a Christian in a Christian church? Presumably that would fill you with just as much horror as an atheist couple wanting to get married in a church?

On the end of that I should have added "if they weren't religious and/or were wanting a civil wedding".

I think you're totally missing the point tbh. It wouldn't fill me with horror if an atheist couple wanted to get married in a church at all. I would find it hypocritical with them not being religious yet standing there reciting their vows which mention god. But hey ho, it happens. The thread is actually about someone wanting a civil ceremony (which removes all religious aspects and mentions of god) in a religious building. Why? Why on earth would you want to do that? If a Muslim wanted to marry a Christian, then I presume they'd be having a religious ceremony. Whether they had it in a church or a mosque, would be down to them.

seashore22

Ok so some churches allow music exams and pet shows have been held in the main part of the church. That is still a very different thing to holding a civil marriage in one and I can totally see why churches wouldn't allow it.

Marriage services in church are all about the sacredness of marriage. Civil ceremonies aren't allowed to have any religious aspects at all, including the banning of secular songs that mention angels. It is very strict. I don't see why vicars should have to dilute their beliefs just so couples can have a pretty backdrop to their photos.

It's not even necessary. People are spoilt for choice when it comes to historic and beautiful buildings to have their special day in. They have absolutely no need to gatecrash churches.

onlyroz

seashore22 wrote: »

. I don't see why vicars should have to dilute their beliefs just so couples can have a pretty backdrop to their photos.

Perhaps for the money?

TonyMMM

seashore22 wrote: »

I don't see why vicars should have to dilute their beliefs just so couples can have a pretty backdrop to their photos.

It isn't an issue ... the law as it stands makes it very clear that a civil marriage ceremony cannot legally take place in a religious building.

Of course you can take your wedding photos wherever you like - my local register office has a beautiful old church opposite, every day you can watch a stream of couples as they cross the road to the churchyard for a photo session after their civil ceremony