to think that only people who worship Christ should have a church wedding or baptism

[HollyMiamiFLA]

And that those people who are not Christians but have a church wedding are just doing it because they want to be the centre of attention in a lovely white dress, to walk down the aisle with music playing and that all that stuff the vicar says about God etc is irrelevant because they don't actually believe it but they're going with the flow and it's traditional.

AIBU to think it's a facade - vicars go along with it because it keeps the church going, couples go along with it because it's tradition and they can ignore the religious stuff and true Christians probably get a bit annoyed but accept it?

I just see churches as often being the heart of the community where people can get together, get help, help others, use the halls etc. As such I think it should welcome all. I'm not religious or believe in god but I think there are positives about having a place like the church. I like churches, I like the music and hymns and calmness. I even enjoy the odd service now and then I quite like the ethos behind jesus's teachings - I just don't belive in god. I imagine many folk are a bit conflicted by it all.

brooncoo I didn't get married in church, because as I said I'd find it painful to say in front of all my loved ones that I believed in something I didn't. I had a humanist ceremony. It meant I couldn't get married in Westminster Abbey or St Paul's, either which would have been amazing as a venue but the ceremony would have quite literally been laced with bullshit as both my husband and I would have been lying, to each other, our friends and family, on our wedding day.

I don't see what's particularly judgemental about thinking that?

It's judgemental if you judge others. Do what suits you and let others do their thing.

A lot of people have a 'residual' faith and feel it is the 'proper' thing. Some people just like it - why? Because it is pretty or because they feel there is 'something there'? Some people please relatives. Some people have just drifted away from faith for a while. There are quite a lot of very personal reasons why non-church goers may want to marry or have a child baptised in church. From a church's perspective, I think everyone should be welcome and view it as an opportunity to witness. It also gives the church an opportunity to support marriage by giving pre-marriage counselling which needn't be faith-based. It can also raise funds for the church although that is usually a minor consideration and when you look at the costs of maintaining some beautiful old churches the couple are usually getting a good deal!

I don't know why atheists would wish to marry in church or have a baptism but that is for them to decide. Vicars are usually happy to do a thanksgiving service instead of a baptism if parents feel uncomfortable about the vows (and many Christians also prefer this).

I sort of agree for myself... i wouldn't get married in a church because TBH, I find the whole 'jesus on the cross' thing a bit weird. I dont think Jesus wants to be reminded of that if he comes back.

I'm with the jehovah witness on this one lol, no churches for me, worshipping christ or not.

I don't really care what everyone else does, i dont think its necessarily attention seeking, some might just like the building.