My son is having a non-christian marriage ceremony...

[Josie1000]

Hello all,

My son and his long-time girlfriend announced a few months ago that they are getting married. I'm excited and his girlfriend has always been a sweet girl. However, they are gradually making it clear that they plan to have a non-Christian and/or non-religious ceremony all together. I worry about them not having a Christian wedding of some sort. If a judge marries them or some other non-Christian officiant, isn't their marriage not recognized by God? In that case wouldn't they be living in sin?

I tried to raise my children in a Christian home, but I feel as though I've failed him. I'm also not sure if this decision to not have a Christian ceremony is his or his fiancee's. Could she be pressuring him to ignore his faith at such an important time? Should I talk to him and make sure he's making the right decision or will I just be overstepping my bounds?

 

[watchm@n]

Hello all,

My son and his long-time girlfriend announced a few months ago that they are getting married. I'm excited and his girlfriend has always been a sweet girl. However, they are gradually making it clear that they plan to have a non-Christian and/or non-religious ceremony all together. I worry about them not having a Christian wedding of some sort. If a judge marries them or some other non-Christian officiant, isn't their marriage not recognized by God? In that case wouldn't they be living in sin?

I tried to raise my children in a Christian home, but I feel as though I've failed him. I'm also not sure if this decision to not have a Christian ceremony is his or his fiancee's. Could she be pressuring him to ignore his faith at such an important time? Should I talk to him and make sure he's making the right decision or will I just be overstepping my bounds?

#1 I believe God will reconize thier wedding either way.
#2 I do not think you have failed him, if you raised him in the way he should go he will return to his faith (not saying he has left it)
#3 If you want to share your concerns, I think as his mother you should be able to, just do not be to pushy.

 

[rppearso]

In our culture "christian wedding" = expensive so unless you are flipping the bill (~5-10k) they are probably trying to minimize costs. There are ways to do a "christian wedding" cheap but maybe they worry about social/family issues (like people being upset there is no reception or food or something like that). I dont know if you have read the entire bible as a christian or not but there is nothing in the bible outlining what a wedding has to look like or include, so there is no sin issue. Weddings, christmas and birthdays might as well be corporate holidays/events because they are tied to spending money. 10k is a pretty nice fatty down on a house for their future or a car if he does not have one.

 

[Michae1]

How serendipidious. We just had a thread about this called "At What Point Is A Christian Marriage Established". Here is the link:
http://www.christianforums.net/f15/what-point-christian-marriage-established-31102/

Of course I thought my post was the best: :snicker
http://www.christianforums.net/f15/what-point-christian-marriage-established-31102/#post455360

But basically, religious and government ceremonies aside, if they present themselves as married, live as a married couple, and in their hearts consider themselves married, then God who knows their hearts considers them married.

After they are married, be sure to invite them over to dinner to celebrate. Your acceptance will make a world of difference.

 

[Gendou Ikari]

I tried to raise my children in a Christian home, but I feel as though I've failed him. I'm also not sure if this decision to not have a Christian ceremony is his or his fiancee's. Could she be pressuring him to ignore his faith at such an important time? Should I talk to him and make sure he's making the right decision or will I just be overstepping my bounds?

Parent's cannot really make their children religious/Christian. I was raised in a Christian home, and I am a staunch social progressive atheist. Don't beat yourself up over it.

 

[Mike]

How serendipidious. We just had a thread about this called "At What Point Is A Christian Marriage Established". Here is the link:
http://www.christianforums.net/f15/what-point-christian-marriage-established-31102/

Of course I thought my post was the best: :snicker
http://www.christianforums.net/f15/what-point-christian-marriage-established-31102/#post455360

Actually, my OP was! :D

I'm not sure if the OP here is still around. My heart goes out to her. A Christian parent can only sow the seeds and put their children in God's hands. Typically, I would advise that young adults often get wrapped up in "life", but when this period of life this through, they return to the foundation that was made. God never is out of reach, but they are on their own, oblivious to Him. As for a person having a "non-Christian" wedding, as I said in my OP of the thread that Michae1 referenced (and took undue props for ) a man and a woman can commit themselves to God and have no wedding at all and be blessed, let alone a civil service, IMO. This must be an honest standing before Him and pledging their lives to each other AND to Him.

Much prayer for you Josie as well as your son and his future wife.

 

[Mike]

Parent's cannot really make their children religious/Christian. I was raised in a Christian home, and I am a staunch social progressive atheist. Don't beat yourself up over it.

I'm just making sure, because I don't know. The rules of this forum are that, in order to post, you need to be married and/or have children. I'm thinking you might not meet this criteria, but I could be off base. If you don't, please refrain from posting here. If you do, all good.