Mixed marriages with Protestant and Atheist, Catholic
I hope I'm doing the right thing in posting this to a new thread; if not, let me know, and I'll move it to the old one.
At any rate, I posted a question a little while ago regarding a Protestant and a baptized Catholic (but actually Atheist), considering marriage in a Catholic church. Thank you for the advice! After further consultation with my boyfriend, he acknowledged that he hadn't thought much about the religious requirements, and would be willing to be married in a Protestant church instead. This would serve two purposes: it satisfies his family's traditional expectations of a church wedding; more importantly, it suits me and my family, who value it for reasons of faith as well as tradition.
My question, then, is - what, if any, are typical Protestant guidelines for marriage of an interfaith couple? I doubt that they require the Protestant spouse to promise to raise Protestant children, as the Catholic church does, but would a "mainstream" Protestant minister agree to marry a self-professed Atheist, or would the couple need to locate a clergyperson specializing in interfaith weddings?
Thanks again for the help and advice!
(This post was
edited by TWQadmin on Aug 14, 2007, 9:33 AM)
Since each Protestant denomination has its own policies on interchurch marriage, your options are a bit more varied than before. If you're not currently attending a church, then just pick one you like and talk with the minister so see what he or she says. We know of no Protestant church that requires both bride and groom to agree to raise their children in any particular denomination. However, the minister may counsel you to do your best to raise your children in the Christian faith.
Because of your fiance's profession of atheism, there may be some ministers who would be hesitant to marry you but very few who would refuse. The vast majority of marriages are interchurch or interfaith and it is common in this day and age for people of differing faith traditions to marry.
Talk with several ministers until you find one who will perform your wedding with joy and an open mind. Please also consider pre-marriage counseling so you both enter married life better prepared to handle future decisions and conflicts with solid communication skills. From the information in your posts, it sounds like you have a good start already! God bless and guide you. Kay and Dennis Flowers Authors of Catholic Annulment, Spiritual Healing
RevSusanna
Interfaith Wedding Minister
/ Moderator
Aug 14, 2007, 4:00 PM
Post #3 of 3
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Re: [aerlinnel] Mixed marriages with Protestant and Atheist, Catholic
[In reply to]
A Unitarian Universalist Church would certainly perform your wedding ceremony. The Unitarian Universalist Church is home to many interfaith couples, including believers and atheists. A conservative Baptist church may not marry you, for example, as they would require that you are both believing Christians. Some churches may require that you become a member of their congregation, or may require that you undergo pre-marital counseling. The key is speak to the pastor. Do not be discouraged if you receive one or two rejections as there are certainly many Protestant churches who will marry you and NOT require that your future children to be raised in that particular denomination.
Mixed marriages with Protestant and Atheist, Catholic
