Family wedding with obligatory religion. What's an atheist to do?

I don't celebrate Christmas. As an atheist, why would I?

Well, now the OP has clarified that 'it goes along the lines of “We ask god to…” , so is definitely Christian-god-based.

Clearly, in this instance, it's isn't "just" a wedding or a celebration, it's also a religious ceremony.

Most people seem to take a "live, and let live" approach, both those who have a faith and those who do not alike, but if you are going to truly apply that ethos equitably and fairly, then that also means religious people have to respect the right of the non-religious to opt out of participating in religious ceremonies, including religious wedding ceremonies.

Non-participation still respects the right of others to celebrate/participate and do whatever they want, I just wish it was applied unequivocally and religious people stopped expecting the non-religious to oblige them on the premise "what harm could it do if you don't believe anyway?". It's still compelled participation.

Christmas is religious in origin. How.many of you refuse to go to your child's nativity play on principle or sing carols with them at such events.

Quite...

But clearly it makes a difference (or is thought to) to the jurors, otherwise they wouldn't bother.

Happy Birthday isn't religious! It's easy to celebrate all sorts of things without religion. I don't think it's necessary or kind to ask people to do things which go against their beliefs.

Parents tell their children a magical man drives a flying sleigh with flying reindeer and delivers them presents by coming down the chimney. They keep up this facade as long as they can and are upset when they no longer believe.

Easter bunny and tooth fairy too.

@LillyPJ I don’t have any faith but do you have to be so rude? Some people believe what they say and belittling them isn’t helpful to anyone, including society. Try being a bit more tolerant.

Why should OP have to say it if she doesn't want to? She can just politely decline and that's that.

I've never used pray like the second definition.

Do you join in when the song is "Happy Birthday"?

It's just celebrating! It's a wedding!

Go to no weddings if you think it's crazy to be asked to join the festivities

So say it meaning the second definition, unless they don't mean it at all

You know, you can say things in churches like "is this seat taken" and "what a beautiful baby". The church goers do not weight all words uttered in a church equally, it's not like the OP would be taking a sacriment without faith!

I'm an atheist and I don't join in mumbo-jumbo. Why is it ok for the religious people to 'make a fuss' about people joining in, especially if they know they don't believe? If only more people didn't join in religious practices, just for the sake of it or otherwise, maybe the world would be a better place.

But (whispers) how would they know ?

Yet the first definition includes religious ceremony which is the context OP will be in. Why are we attempting to ignore that definition?

to speak to a god either privately or in a religious ceremony in order to express love, admiration, or thanks or in order to ask for something

The most likely conclusion is it's just a prayer of well wishing to the couple which does not require the readers to be members of the faith to say, hence everyone being asked to do so

You can't just rock up to a church and join in sacred sacraments, there's qualifiers!

But anyone CAN read a generic prayer

I refer you to the fact it makes stuff all difference to the court.

I agree with your second two sentences. The first one I don’t - I mean I could do it and it wouldn’t mean anything of course, but the fact is that it matters to other people so being blithe about it feels like a piss take if you see what I mean?

Obviously it'd clarify things for everyone if the OP said what specific prayer she'd been asked to use.
In the absence of that, though, the most likely conclusion is that it's a Christian prayer explicitly about God/Jesus/some other aspect of Christianity and that's why she's got a dilemma about it.

One of the definitions of "pray":

B2 [ I ]
to hope for something very much:
We're praying for good weather for tomorrow's game.

Since when can't atheists do that?

The actual book is irrelevant.
So why do you get the options of the Bible (Old or New Testament), the Gita, or a non-religious affirmation?

I know this is off topic, but if you are an atheist, why would you be happy to swear on the bible?

I'd be concerned that if any questions were subsequently raised about the truth of my testimony, I might be asked why I had chosen to swear on the bible - which was contrary to my belief - rather than affirming.

Affirming is no more difficult than swearing on the bible

Cool, ask the OP what their specific problem is with the words they've been asked to say to the couple. Cause we're knee deep in this thread now and the OP is active, but they ain't said which words would be like "meat in a vegetarians mouth" to them?

Well again, that's just you 😀

The actual book is irrelevant. It's the promise that counts.

As I said, no one has been excused perjury because they had their fingers crossed when they took the oath.

Swearing on "a" book is merely a demonstration to the court that you understand you are being asked under pain of law. Historically it was assumed that swearing on a Bible would ensure a good Christian told the truth. Which seems a bit odd because a good Christian would obey the commandment about not bearing false witness. However we are in danger of looking for consistency in religion. And that won't happen here.

I’d probably do it and enjoy the experience. I’m confident enough in my own beliefs to follow some rituals from other religions or cultures when it’s part of a celebration.

Like a PP said, I don’t see the point in militant atheism. That almost creates its own religion. Just let people live how they want if it’s not hurting anyone.