Atheists celebrate marriage without religion

[cbayer]

http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/faith_and_values/2013/07/05/atheists-celebrate-marriage-without-religion.html

By JoAnne Viviano
The Columbus Dispatch Friday July 5, 2013 2:14 AM


FRED SQUILLANTE | DISPATCH

During their college years, Alisha Hunt and Jake Winslow both turned away from the religious beliefs they held while growing up.

When they met, the atheism they had in common helped draw them together. But it posed a bit of a dilemma when they decided to tie the knot in April.

The Northwest Side couple wanted a wedding that didn’t include references to God but something more than a courthouse ceremony. Who, they worried, would marry them?

A friend recommended August Brunsman, one of about a half-dozen celebrants in Ohio endorsed by the nonreligious Humanist Society to preside over weddings, memorials and other life events.

more at link

[skepticscott]

1. Now I know why

Interfaith is a ghost town. All of the TBs find atheists far more interesting than each other.

[djean111]

2. I have noticed that, lately.

The thing is, no one needs a church or mention of any deity in order to be legally married.

[trotsky]

3. Exactly. Not sure where this misconception comes from.

My great-grandparents were married by a Justice of the Peace at a relative's house, and that was almost 100 years ago.

[cbayer]

7. I think people used to think that your choices were church or justice of the peace.

But these relatively new secular celebrants really hold a lot of appeal to some people.

They are also doing other kinds of services. It's a fascinating trend, imo.

[okwmember]

4. My husband and I

just had a family friend who was a notary perform the ceremony, and we wrote our own vows.
Of course that was 20 years ago, so its nice to know couples have more options.

[cbayer]

5. Big congratulations to you and your new husband!

I didn't know notaries could officiate.

We have a couple of friends who have gotten these bogus on-line "minister" certificates.

But I like the idea of these secular officiants who may take the whole thing more seriously and have more experience.

Just lends a bit more gravitas, if that is what one is looking for.

[Warren Stupidity]

6. ethical humanist societies have been performing weddings for a long time. nt

[cbayer]

9. They even have some standard vows.

Interesting that most states classify the humanist celebrants as clergy, as opposed to public officials.

[okasha]

8. Judges and JP's

have been performing marriages in homes, on beaches, in reception halls and parks for ages.

Don't see why there should be any problem.

[cbayer]

10. I think the difference here is that there is a secular celebrant who performs many

of the same functions that a clergy member might.

It just seems more personal and meaningful somehow, then going to a judge or JP.