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Current Issue. Read This Issue. Log in. Thomas Schirrmacher hopes to lead Christians into conversations, cooperation, and witness. Public Theology. We long to be known and loved. In becoming a Christian how do I deal with remorse and guilt from past actions?
As a Christian how should I understand and deal with my sexual attraction with my fiance? Where can I go for help with my marriage? How do I manage sexual temptation in my relationship? What does the bible teach about self harm? How do I convince people about Jesus? The UK is now more religiously diverse than ever but at the same time the number of people with no religion is at an all-time high. So how do you deal with your partner's faith in God if you don't have it? Jez Caudle, 44, is more than clear about his beliefs - or lack of them.
He lives in Camberley, Surrey with his wife Heather and their two boys William, nine and Kenny who is six. Jez didn't know Heather was especially religious when they met - he says it was only when they moved in together and she started going to church more that it became clear she was a practising Catholic.
Now, their children have been baptised. Jez supports them attending church every week despite not wavering at all in his fervent disbelief, which makes for plenty of debate in the household.
William will happily sing hymns, yet like any child he's picked up on his father's cynicism. Preferring to play on his Xbox, William refused to go to church recently saying religion was "a load of rubbish" but then changed his mind - now he says he believes in God but it upsets him when mum and dad row about it.
And then there is the small matter of what happens after this life. Heather is more hopeful. She says she sees it "as part of her duties as a wife" to pray that Jez gets into heaven and she quietly hopes that one day he will change his mind anyway and accept God.
He thinks the same - that one day she will wake up and realise there is no God. Finally, there are also wedding options which dispense with the general trappings of religion entirely, even in appearance but are not quite so plain and simple as civil wedding ceremonies. Such weddings are normally referred to as humanist weddings. The vows are written by the couple or by a humanist celebrant in consultation with the couple.
The theme of the vows will focus on topics like love and commitment rather than religion or God. There may be rituals like a unity candle which have religious meaning in religious ceremonies, but now have a secular meaning here.
While you may be able to have a humanist wedding in a church, you can also choose from a wide range of wedding venues. You can be married in a commercial wedding chapel, park, beach, vineyard, hotel ballroom, or your backyard. You actually have far more choice of venue than those who wish to be married by clergy, who may require it be done in their church. Your officiant can be a Justice of the Peace, a friend who has obtained a license to perform weddings or willing members of the clergy.
Humanist weddings are becoming more and more popular among atheists in the West. Such provide much of the emotional and psychological benefits which might be derived from, but without all of the baggage which can otherwise come along. Such weddings also provide a familiar context which can make it easier for religious relatives who might be disappointed with a simpler civil ceremony.
So if you're atheists or just generally secular-minded theists who wish to get married, but are uncomfortable with the heavy religious elements of traditional church weddings, there are a growing number of options out there for you. They may not be as easy to find, given how ubiquitous religion is in modern American society, but they aren't as hard to find as they used to be, either.
With a little bit of work, you'll be able to have a wedding that is as secular and meaningful to you as you want. Actively scan device characteristics for identification.
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