Re - newing wedding vows

[Herbie]

I'll go to religious weddings and funerals as necessary, but if anyone asks me, I'm happy to tell them I'm an atheist and discuss why. I draw the line, however, at anything which suggests some kind of deeper belief or adherence to the customs/traditions of whichever religion. Weddings yes, communions, barmitzvahs or whatever ... no chance

I was brought up a catholic too, but left all that behind me many many years ago. Unfortunately, many of my relatives didn't follow suit.

I'm totally with you Mr Fnarr....preposterous in this age to think there is a God....I believe in science and all that...we are only here by fluke because of the big bang thing .....however I have no problem with folk being believers in whatever they want to believe in ....if they get comfort and a feeling of well being from it. Good for them but leave me out

 

[w00hoo_kent]

Why do people get married in church anyway if they aren't religious and who never go to mass ever (apart from Christmas Eve)?

Well, in our case 'cause my wife (or fiancé at that point) wanted to. She was a bit more religious then and the church was the family one where she'd been a chorister and baptised and all that. Her parents also still went to it on Sundays and stuff. It did make for nice photos, but that was a bonus. As I've said further up, didn't matter much to me, the fact of the day was more important than the place of it all. Also, her parents were very traditional (as can probably be guessed from the above) and paid for everything. So that was nice. Then again, I followed that by asking her father's permission in advance and all that. I even spent a months wages on the ring (I think this last bit might have been a mistake as the engagement ring was a bit of a disappointment initially :-) ). I was young and in love mind. Having said that, if it was what she wanted, I'd probably do it exactly the same now, call me romantic.

I do know of churches in Kent that are very pretty where the vicars have serious issues with people turning up asking to get married 'out of the blue' just because they think it'll make for a good experience and good pictures. Some take the cash, others refuse out of principal.

 

[Fnaar]

I'm totally with you Mr Fnarr....preposterous in this age to think there is a God....I believe in science and all that...we are only here by fluke because of the big bang thing .....however I have no problem with folk being believers in whatever they want to believe in ....if they get comfort and a feeling of well being from it. Good for them but leave me out

Yes, fair enough. I have no problem with people believing what they want to believe, just don't expect me to join in.
My own father's faith was a great comfort to him when he knew he was dying (30 years ago, blimey!), and that taught me to respect what others believe.
I don't share their beliefs, and I will challenge them if engaged in such a discussion, but I will respect their right to believe it, as long as I am not expected to change my behaviour/views etc in relation to their belief.

I do, however, have a massive gripe against religion's involvement with schools and politics.

 

[Herbie]

Did you see that poor lad yesterday. Go no questions right on first round and none in second round. The chaser even looked sorry for him.

I missed it last night .....poor guy......I always want them to go for the High offer and always shout at the t

 

[swansonj]

They tend to be part of the 'hatch, match and despatch' brigade.

An acquaintance got very upset when the local vicar told her she couldn't get married in his church as she wasn't a regular churchgoer and wasn't prepared to undergo marriage preparation. She didn't even live in the parish. She had the cheek to start banging on about her 'rights' but short shrift from most of us

A Hollywood actress turned up at the church for her wedding in a topless dress. The priest told her she couldn't come in. "You can't stop me - I have a divine right!" she started shouting. "You have a divine left as well ", he answered, "but you're still not coming in."

 

[swansonj]

They tend to be part of the 'hatch, match and despatch' brigade.

An acquaintance got very upset when the local vicar told her she couldn't get married in his church as she wasn't a regular churchgoer and wasn't prepared to undergo marriage preparation. She didn't even live in the parish. She had the cheek to start banging on about her 'rights' but short shrift from most of us

Not sure if you are talking RC or Anglican, but assuming it is Anglican because of the "vicar" reference: everyone does have a right to be married in their parish church (and in other Anglican churches where they have a qualifying connection) - it goes with the package of having an established church. Some of us take a dim view of vicars who try to water this down by imposing conditions such as attending church for a period beforehand.

 

[w00hoo_kent]

Neither she nor her husband were resident in the Parish or on the roll, and neither had a qualifying connection. She wanted to marry there because it had been in a film.

Kents full of it, people from London, Surrey, etc. having a drive around looking for somewhere pretty to use.