Hatches, Matches And Despatches.

[Theland]

Do you and your loved ones use churches for christenings, marriages and funerals?

Or do you all go without any ceremonials at all?

[Buenchico]

I don' really have any 'loved ones', other than the guy who I think of as my own son. (Long story!). He got married in a registry office.

I'll occasionally attend a church wedding but, as an atheist, I feel uncomfortable doing so. (I have no contact with my only cousin on my father's side nowadays but, in the days when I did, I attended his deadly dull very old-fashioned C of E wedding; for an occasion which was meant to be a celebration, it was totally lacking in any sort of cheer. My many cousins on my late mother's are all 'happy clappy' Baptists; at least their weddings are cheerful events!)

I've never been invited to a christening (and I'd probably refuse to attend if I was) but, by the very nature of the ceremony, I'd expect any christening to be held in a church (or, a least, to be presided over by a Christian minister). Atheists don't have christenings!

I generally refuse to attend funerals, religious or otherwise, as I simply don't see the point of them. I got coerced into going to my uncle's funeral at the beginning of last year though, which was held in a church. I felt totally out of place and, at the end of it all, still regarded the whole thing as a totally pointless exercise. My own will states: "I desire that my body be cremated without ceremony and that my ashes be disposed of, also without ceremony, in any convenient refuse receptacle".

[tiggerblue10]

I've been to hundreds of Turkish weddings. Its the registry office for the official bit then a massive evening do at a banqueting hall with a 3 course meal, loads of alcohol and a live band.

[andy-hughes]

Bobbi at 19.36 - it was my first marriage, my wife's second.

You are right, the Catholic church does not allow divorcees to marry in their churches, but my wife's marriage was annulled, so in the eyes of the church, it did not exist, hence we were allowed a full Nuptial Mass

[Theland]

I was married in church, as were three of my children, (walked my daughter down the aisle), and my two eldest were christened in church.

[Bobbisox1]

Thanks Andy, I wasn't too sure regarding the Catholic religion

[douglas9401]

While seeming strict, austere and set in stone regarding their ceremonials I know from personal experience that all things are possible with six evenings of priestly instruction, a close relationship with a bishop, not me mind, and a suitably stuffed unmarked envelope.

Makes the world go round.

[Theland]

BA to Chris because his post was interesting and intriguing.
(And he's a lovely guy.)

[andy-hughes]

Douglas, I don't doubt what you say for a moment, but in the interests of clarity, I would wish to confirm that my wife's annulment was done by the book, followed all necessary and appropriate procedures, and was signed by the Pope - his signature is required for all valid annulments.

[douglas9401]

Absolutely Mr Hughes and for the avoidance of doubt my post was not a dig at you or yours, just a memory of times gone by. :-)

[RATTER15]

I will go to any church if invited for a special occasion, After all, they are quite beautiful buildings, however, I would not hold a special occasion in a church at all! My good lady and I are planning our wedding for next year, no churches or religious clap trap will be present in any way shape or form, in fact we are looking at more of a medieval handfasting ceremony, carried out by a professional. celebrant

[andy-hughes]

Thank you Douglas, I saw no dig, but just wanted to be clear

Thanks for your clarification.

[Mamyalynne]

Attended many of all of those unsurprisingly as I come from a Catholic family.

[jno]

I have attended weddings in churches and weddings not in churches. Most of the marriages have failed regardless of the place of origin. I don't believe I've ever attended a christening unless I had one of my own, which I don't remember. I will go to funerals wherever they're held.

[naomi24]

Yes, my friends and family use churches - and I'm a Godmother.

[Theland]

My first great grandchild is due at the end of the month, and my granddaughter and her partner are going to have their baby, (girl), christened in a church.
Churches are something we all grew up with, and are a rallying point in times of crisis, (WW2).
Thank you all for very interesting posts.