Does Atheists marrying hurt the sanctity of marriage?
823578
No. Homophobes like Ted Haggard that marry yet secretly engage in gay sex is what hurts marriage.
104749
I have been in an interfaith relationship for 10 years.  We have been married for 6 of those years.  I think interfaith relationships can be trying, but rewarding as well.  You get to see things from another's point of view that you might not have ever considered before.  As long as the two of you are accepting of one another's faith, it's a beautiful thing.\n\nThe trouble comes when people of either of your faiths start giving you a hard time about being together.  For instance, my husband is Agnostic and I am Christian and it was difficult for us to find a pastor that would marry us.  Equally as difficult was putting up with some of the inane comments that people would throw at us, like "He might beat you or something because he doesn't have that Jesus background to fall back on" or "I really don't think you two should get married because God doesn't want Christians and non-Christians to yoke together."\n\nMy beliefs have taught me, just as my marriage ceremony stated, that "what God has brought together, let no man put asunder."  You are together for a reason and perhaps that reason is to teach each other and the people around you that we can all live together peacefully and in harmony, no matter our personal beliefs.
1078472
I'm not sure why you care. Is it for the monetary benefits they could then enjoy as a legally married couple? If it's not about money, then why make such a big deal about it? The bottom line is how two people feel about one another and not some definition of "marriage" that society chooses to make. I think I'd revere two people who were dedicated to one another who didn't need the formality of marriage as a crutch. Spend your time living life, not debating it.\n\nIn my opinion, the basis of your arguments are that you want society to accept homosexuality as a normal human condition. Unfortunately, homosexuality is not a normal human condition by definition because reproduction is necessary to preserve the species as it is with any animal on earth. It's true that 10% of the population is genetically homosexual, but so is 10% of the population deaf or blind, but that doesn't make it normal. On the other hand, skin color, nationality, culture, gender, and other potential racially related discriminant features are simply manifestations of human evolution on earth. Darwin's theory of evolution cannot support homosexuality as a normal development of mankind.
660997
im all about that first amendment,\n\nbut get their god(s) out of the science classroom please,\nthank you\n\nand this idea of theocracy is insane, no gay marriage cause of "gods law", this is bunk,\n\nabortion - an atheist can find abortion immorral and ask his govt to make it illegal and is not imposing his religion, \n\nbut to say we want gods laws to be the laws of america, and thus we want gay marriage wrong,\nthis im anti-
270760
I've said it before, and I'll continue to say it.  Sheer insanity is the ONLY force driving anyone to oppose Gay marriage, for there is NOT ONE consequence resulting from gay marriage that would harm anyone / anything anywhere in this universe.\n\nGays can make marriages worthy to be admired.\nGays can effectively lead children into adulthood.\nChildren raised by Gays are not harmed/damaged in anyway.\nGays have careers, own homes, participate civily in communities all over the place.\nGays pay taxes and contribute much to the economy all over.\nGay marriages will NOT threaten the human species.\nGay marriage will NOT affect "straight" marriages.\nGay marriages will NOT diminish the number of "straight" marriages commencing from year to year.\n\nTo be sure, Gay marriages will require levels of responsibility equal to all the tasks that come with the package.  In many ways the scenario will be no different than heterosexual marriages.\n\nThis is NOT a religious matter.\nThis is a civil matter.\nThis is about love, affirmation, responsibility with family matters and life decision matters.\n\nThis is the 21 century of reality.  Gay marriages will NOT contribute ANY harm to the life of things on planet earth.  Only the insanely driven and/or sleep walking bigots would think otherwise.
665746
I've said it before, and I'll continue to say it. Sheer insanity is the ONLY force driving anyone to oppose Gay marriage, for there is NOT ONE consequence resulting from gay marriage that would harm anyone / anything anywhere in this universe.\n\nGays can make marriages worthy to be admired.\nGays can effectively lead children into adulthood.\nChildren raised by Gays are not harmed/damaged in anyway.\nGays have careers, own homes, participate civily in communities all over the place.\nGays pay taxes and contribute much to the economy all over.\nGay marriages will NOT threaten the human species.\nGay marriage will NOT affect "straight" marriages.\nGay marriages will NOT diminish the number of "straight" marriages commencing from year to year.\n\nTo be sure, Gay marriages will require levels of responsibility equal to all the tasks that come with the package. In many ways the scenario will be no different than heterosexual marriages.\n\nThis is NOT a religious matter.\nThis is a civil matter.\nThis is about love, affirmation, responsibility with family matters and life decision matters.\n\nThis is the 21 century of reality. Gay marriages will NOT contribute ANY harm to the life of things on planet earth. Only the insanely driven and/or sleep walking bigots would think otherwise.
325214
Congratulations!I don't think so your doing anything wrong nor you should worry as religion is a personal thing that each individual should respect regardless of what one follows as long as you guys don't let the aspect of religion come into your love and marriage nothing can go wrong!Have a wonderful life and all the best!I strongly agree with your point that its not important what religion you follow but the most important thing is Your Actions or Karma as most of the religion believe that they follow the right path but i feel its wrong coz all religion takes you to one path i.e to God so its more important to be mindful of our own actions than spend rest of the life figuring out which religion is the best as it doesn't matter whether one is Christian,muslim or jew or hindu or buddhist as all faith takes us to one supreme power i.e GOD.People spend all their life thinking that their path or faith is right but in reality all  religions are different ways of reaching the truth so don't worry, people need to have a more open mind and it so sad that people just don't think!
1106590
We are no danger to marraige.  We simply want equal treatment.  Civil marriage is completely different than religious marriage.  We also decided a while ago in this country that separate but equal is inherently unequal, thus calling it something other than marriage doesn't work.  And the funny thing...I can still get a religious marriage, and will when the time is right.  I've got a very respected minister (locally) lined up already.  So...that already rules out the religious part anyway.  Civil marriage shouldn't even consider religion.\n\nAnd while God created men and women to procreate, that isn't our sole purpose.  Also, that passage only mentions that they should be joined to make one flesh.  It doesn't really mention formal marriage.  Second note: if you want to argue that we shouldn't be able to get married because we can't procreate, then fertility should also be a requisite for marriage and those who cannot reproduce should not be able to be wed.  Do you see how absurd that statement is?  Third, we only ask that the right to marry be extended to any two consenting adults.  This still prevents polygamy and the other absurd "slippery slope" arguments such as a man marrying his dog.\n\nWe'll be making a step in the right direction when we can separate church and state and pay more attention to science.
751581
Per the Judeo/Christian Bible, "no."\nBut most people who claim themselves to be Christian in this country don't practice what they preach.  The rate of divorce alone demonstrates that point.  From a "civil" perspective, why not?  They can't do any worse than what the heterosexuals have done.\nFrom my own perspective, "no."
531594
I am an atheist and I married another atheist in a Catholic church.  She had been baptized Catholic when she was a child.  We simply lied to the priest and had our wedding.\n\nThe only reason they have such rules is to help their religion get bigger and make more money.
830548
My husband and I are atheists. He told me about his position before we married and I accepted it. I was an atheist in every way but by name, and just decided that I am what I am; I've been happy with the decision ever since.\n\nThat said, the argument they give about dating outside of their faith is almost the same one used by those who oppose gay marriage. They somehow believe that gay marriage is a threat to heterosexual marriage. My husband and I have discussed this before; our feeling is, if our marriage is somehow threatened by Bob and Dave's marriage, then we have other problems. Our marriage is our marriage; the only threat to our marriage would be a lack of love, respect or communication with the other. That's our problem, not something Bob and Dave created.\n\nIf you are strong in your beliefs, whatever they are, you rise to the challenge to defend them. Your faith (whether in God or in yourself) should not be shaken by association with those who believe differently than you. If anything, it should bolster your confidence to go out into the world. \n\nYour friend believes that all she does is based on faith at its very foundation. Frankly, she may be feeling very conflicted because you are a decent, trusting, and honorable person on your own - without having the guilt of religion as a motivator to be these things. In her mind, and that of her friends, you can't have those qualities without faith. Your relationship with her proves that you can; it's a threat to what she believes, and on some level she may be questioning her faith. You are not asking her to give up her faith. You are treating her with kindness, respect and are offering the prospect of being in a loving relationship. You have not shunned her friends because they are Christians, you embrace them as cool people who just happen to believe differently. \n\nI don't know what to tell you other than you seize opportunities when they're presented to you. I hope she at least considers how wonderful dating could be for the both of you. The only way you're going to know is to jump in and see what happens. If it goes well, you will approach any hurdles your differences present from a standpoint of love and respect. If it doesn't work, you will have given it an effort, and time will heal whatever heartbreak occurs.\n\nYou can't know how it's going to work without giving it a chance.
1144778
yes it should be legal, the people that are afriad i twill affect their relationshiops don't have strong relations and fear losing their loved one. RIGHT TO PRESUE HAPPYNESS. Marriage is about love not religon creed or sexual orentition, if you really wanan look at it religously I'd guess that jesus would have hung out wiht the gay guy or girl or the bisexual just like he hung out with the prostitute and blind guy and the guy with lepracy, if theres anyone  who he wouldnt hang with its the guy saying no these arnt people and that they cant live happily and love who they want  to. I'm not even religous I just like to give what i think even catholics and cristians can think cuse I used to be one till I decide I was bisexual ... and I think the only thing needed for marriage is LOVE.
663465
I agree with you 100%. It is very sad to think that these people are missing out on the privilages of marriage just because of some moral objection to their lifestyle. I was under the impression that there was a separation of church and state in this country.
1140244
Marriage is more of a legal issue than it is a religious one.  While many people do get married through a church of whatever their particular religion is, the church in no way makes the marriage official in the eyes of society, just in the eyes of the church.  What really makes you married is the certificate that you get from the state when you tell them you're getting married and go through the whole paperwork thing.
597105
In my experience it is far more likely that a religious organisation will try to persuade an atheist that they should believe in God than vice versa.\n\nAs an atheist myself I have no problem with you believing in your God. I cannot prove that your God does not exist so I have no right to deny you your right to believe.
1127099
depending on your beliefs. if you are very religious then waiting until after marriage would follow the belief system and keep you from being a sinner.  If that isnt a big deal if your life than it is whatever you and your partner decide.  be mature and responsible about it and have fun.
1112551
It does not bother me either way.   Some christians and other theists turn atheist, so it's only "fair" that some atheists turn theist.  :-)   It happens.\n\nPlus, it's their lives.  I don't want to judge them on their choices, even if I might disagree.  Only thing I ask is....will their choice(s) make them a better person than they were before?  If so, I am all for it.