Why do atheists get married?

[AV1611VET]

Why do atheists get married?

I have wondered this for some time now; and I'm just asking out of curiosity.

 

[SithDoughnut]

Why do atheists get married?

Marriage is not only a religious ceremony, and in fact there is no reason to assume that it came from any religion. There are lots of reasons that people in general get married, be they cultural ties, social rites of passage, stability or simply taking advantage of tax breaks. There's no reason to consider atheists as any different to anyone else in this regard.

Think about the reasons you got married; I doubt you simply married the first woman you found, and that your decision to get married was based on far more than just "the Bible told me to get married, and you're the most convenient person available". All those other, non-religious reasons you love your wife and decided to marry her apply to other people too, atheists included.

 

[AV1611VET]

Marriage is not only a religious ceremony, and in fact there is no reason to assume that it came from any religion.

Hmmm ...

Yes, there are exceptions -- like a common-law marriage or marriage by a justice of the peace.

I was thinking more along the lines of a church wedding, vows before God and all.

I overlooked the reasons you stated, though.

 

[Esdra]

For Completion purposes:
Here is the Original Thread (with already some answers.)

 

[Esdra]

Marriage is not only a religious ceremony, and in fact there is no reason to assume that it came from any religion.

@AV1611VET: As I told you, an Atheist quite unlikely would marry in a Church.
Only Civil marriage.

 

[Freodin]

Hmmm ...

Yes, there are exceptions -- like a common-law marriage or marriage by a justice of the peace.

I was thinking more along the lines of a church wedding, vows before God and all.

I overlooked the reasons you stated, though.

Well, if you could provide us with examples of atheists having a church wedding and giving vows before God and all that.

As has been said in the other thread, it can happen if one of the partners is religious and wants to do all that stuff. In spite of what many Christians think, atheists are not opposed or angry towards God, worship Satan and start to burn when the enter Holy Ground.
So if your significant other wants to go through all the ceremony and it means something to hir, most atheists will go with it. They just don't mind... the stuff they care for happens elsewhere.

Some atheists couples might even go for it, because it is an event. You don't have to believe in something to like the outward trippings.

But as I said, I would need examples for that - in depth examples to see if and what these potential "church wedding and vow before God giving" atheists did to change the ceremony.

 

[AV1611VET]

For Completion purposes:
Here is the Original Thread (with already some answers.)

Thank you!

 

[AV1611VET]

@AV1611VET: As I told you, an Atheist quite unlikely would marry in a Church.
Only Civil marriage.

Right ... got it ... thank you.

So if an atheist does get married in a church ... says vows to God and all ... would that be an exception to the norm?

 

[AV1611VET]

But as I said, I would need examples for that -

I don't have any specific examples off the top of my head.

 

[Esdra]

Right ... got it ... thank you.

So if an atheist does get married in a church ... says vows to God and all ... would that be an exception to the norm?

I would say yes.
Why should he, if he doesn't believe in God?

I would say an Atheist would only marry in a Church, if her/his partner is Christian and if her/him this means something.

 

[AV1611VET]

I would say an Atheist would only marry in a Church, if her/his partner is Christian and if her/him this means something.

But isn't that a violation of Scripture?

2 Corinthians 6:14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?

 

[Esdra]

But isn't that a violation of Scripture?

2 Corinthians 6:14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?

I think not all Christians are that faithful to the bible as you and me are.
In fact, I dare to say that people like we are in declinign.

And an Atheist, frankly, doesn't care what says in the Bible.

 

[Archaeopteryx]

But isn't that a violation of Scripture?

2 Corinthians 6:14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?

"Unbelievers" includes more than just atheists. It includes all non-Christians.

 

[AV1611VET]

I think not all Christians are that faithful to the bible as you and me are.
In fact, I dare to say that people like we are in declinign.

And an Atheist, frankly, doesn't care what says in the Bible.

I think you're right, my friend!

 

[AV1611VET]

"Unbelievers" includes more than just atheists. It includes all non-Christians.

This is true!

 

[Freodin]

"Unbelievers" includes more than just atheists. It includes all non-Christians.

It includes also all the heretics.

 

[AV1611VET]

It includes also all the heretics.

I dedicated this thread to atheists though.

You know? curiosity and all.

 

[Freodin]

I dedicated this thread to atheists though.

You know? curiosity and all.

Yeah, God forbid it would touch any related topics, like... what scripture says about unevenly joking.

You wanted to know why some people do something... something that you cannot even show they do. Perhaps you should sort out your stereotypes, preconceived ideas and prejudices before letting your curiosity run wild.

As long as I don't see any evidence for the opposite, I can say that atheist couples simply do not do what you want to have their reason for.

Mixed couples may do it, because one part cares, and the other part does not oppose. But if you want us atheists to tell our believing spouses that they should not be unevenly yoked to us unrighteous darkies... I don't think we not they will praise your Christian love for that.

 

[Paradoxum]

I was thinking more along the lines of a church wedding, vows before God and all.

I overlooked the reasons you stated, though.

I don't know how I will feel in the future, but I wouldn't be against a church wedding, but I doubt I would say vows to God.

All the weddings I have ever been to have been in a church, I was brought up in a church, I still see the beauty of liberal Christianity. I guess for me getting married in a church would tradition thing rather than a religious thing.

In general, I see marriage to be a meaningful commitment of love and loyalty, so that is why I would probably marry.

Does that answer your question?

 

[keith99]

But isn't that a violation of Scripture?

2 Corinthians 6:14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?

Which has NOTHING to do with marriage. It has EVERYTHING to do with the kind of legalism shown in attempting to make it apply to marriage.

It was addressed to the issue of the Judiasers, a group how claimed one had to become a Jew before they could be a Christian. Paul, rather brilliantly, used their own 'law' against them.

Unfortunately this kind of Legalism is hard to kill, it grows back even if pulled out by the roots.