Are there people who will perform a Christian marriage ceremony without it being legal?
540555
Yes. A "license" is "permission from the government to do something which would otherwise be illegal". Over the years I have come across many Christians who are so Libertarian that they don't believe the government has any business licensing marriage, certifying births, etc.\n\nIf you want to make yourself subserviant to the government then go ahead with the "legal" ceremony. All you really have to do is sign the license at the County Clerk's office when you go into get it.  No ceremony is required.
1037083
I serve as en Elder on the Session of a Presbyterian.  There about 5 branches of the Presbyterian church in the U.S. and my particularly denomination is called Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).\n\nTo my knowledge, there is nothing in our Book of Order that prohibits our churches from be used for weddings of people from other Christian denominations.  From what I have seen, most churches will give preference to members as far as wedding tdteas, etc., but membership is not required.\n\nThe facilities at our church are very nice, but also highly used.  It is difficult for us to host nonmember weddings because we have so much going.  Therefore, you should just call the church as ask their policy.
500792
Try contacting Pagan, Wiccan or ULC groups in your area.  The wedding may still not be legal (I'm not sure what the current state of affairs is in regards to that in LA), but at least you'd have a spiritual ceremony that you'd want.\n\nhttp://www.witchvox.com/vn/hm/usca.html\nhttp://ulc.org/index.php?destination=Directory&state=California
457976
romadgo..utter rubbish!...Nothing wrong in common law marriages, I do not live in the US, I am pagan and as a pagan I got 'wed' we had a handfastening ceremony.  Just because its not recognised by law doesnt mean it doesnt work.  Many of my friends live with their life partner, and have kids. A piece of paper doesnt keep you together, love does
1060586
It's not legal, but it is practiced...\n\n"secretive society" that dominates Colorado City and Hildale, Utah, where many of the 8,000 residents practice polygamy."\n\nThey are from the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
494933
I think legal marriage is just a peice of paper. Being married is really in your heart.  whats stopping you from throwing a big party, exchanging vows and rings accompanied by your family and close friends? i believe there are churches geared toward the gay and lesbian community that can give you guidance. Either way. congratulations on finding that special someone in your life.
580173
Marriage is a religious "Christian" institution. Gays should be allowed to join in legal "unions" that have all the same benefits of marriage. But to call it marriage is like a buddhist claiming he wants to have a Bar Mitzvah.
1031736
They have the spiritual side. There are many religious organizations that welcome homosexual couples with open arms, but their marriage ceremonies lack all sense of legality because in the eyes of the government they are not standalone, sanctioned unions. Basically, gay people are trying to say they have the God-given right to march into their local church of any and every denomination and follow through with a complete and legally recognized marriage ceremony, whether anyone else agrees with it or not.\n\nI can see, if gay marriage becomes legal across the US, churches being sued by gay and lesbian groups for denying couples the privilege to marry in their churches. After all, personal convictions must only count if they are willing to accept gay marriage.\n\nIt's like those Boob Nazis. Ever since it became illegal to ban them from breastfeeding anywhere they happen to want to whip out a breast, regardless of if it's appropriate or not, they are all about suing any and every private business that asks them to cover it back up.\n\nAmericans are such entitlement-minded little people.
30038
There are a couple of ways.  Some counties allow a person to be "ordanied for a day."  Basically, for one day only, they have the legal right to ordain marriages.  Go to the county marraige registar's office to find out if this can be done.\n\nOf course, the no-fail, yet very silly way is to have them ordained by the Universal Life Church, or one of the many like-minded "churchs."  It takes about an hour messing online, but one can easly be ordained by these churchs that don't really exist, but are legally recognized anyway.
290544
It rather depends.  In a worst case scenario, assuming everyone is baptized, the two prospective spouses exchange vows in the presence of two witnesses.  There is no obligation that they have civil authority or that they are ordained to the ministry.  This assumes the ordinary method is unavailable.  Jesus said, "Whereever two or more are gathered in my name, I am there."  Therefore, marriage creates a church (an ecclesia or community of God).  As such, it should be celebrated within the community of believers, preferrably by a bishop or presbyter.  The Roman Patriarchate also permits Deacons to officiate weddings.\n\nIn the Eastern Church matrimony is separate from the divine liturgy, in the West it usually is included as part of the Mass.\n\nIf any of the above are not baptized, then its sacramentality is open to question per both Paul and Peter.
1123878
Hi,\n\nAs far as I know, Budhdist monks don't perform a marriage ceremony. What you can do is get married in the local Marriage registrar's office and then have a Sri Lankan Budhdhist Wedding Ceremony/ reception. Please visit www.wedinsrilanka.com\nYou'll get loads of useful inofor on this site. \nCongrads to both of you !!!!!
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.
355677
To my knowledge, it isn't forbidden. Some people may not agree with it themselves, but I don't think there is anything that says it is not allowed. I even know of a couple who are inter-racially married(and have kids) that go to a local Baptist church.
487126
Yes, there's a country thinks its legal to marry yourself I remember seeing a lady getting married to her self back in the 90's but don't ask me where because I don't remember where was that event but at least you know its legal somewhere...
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.
772719
It depends on exactly what you're asking here. Will you have the right to wed openly and have your spouse guaranteed the same benefits as a partner in a heterosexual marriage? If that's your question, I would say probably not. The Christian right still has its claws on the balls of government. Separation of church and state is a convenient illusion. G.W. is an evangelical Christian. He opposes everything about gays, including their right to love whomever they want. As far as you have come in assuring that you will be treated equally in America, you have that far to travel yet again. Good luck.
92464
I would guess that is where two people are announcing their marriage, but they do not want to be married by the state.  However, that term could probably mean a lot of different things to a lot of different people.