Philocrites

When even Unitarian Universalism is too religious.

by Philocrites

Michael Kress writes for Slate about "secular spirituality" and the non-religious ritual leaders who perform weddings and other ceremonies for the "spiritual but not religious" crowd.

Much of the essay rings true for me: I've performed two weddings in Massachusetts for non-religious couples with a "one-day special designations" from the governor and another for an interfaith couple in Vermont with special permission from a judge. (The essay will probably ring true for many Unitarian Universalist ministers, who make a small but appreciable income from weddings for non-members of their churches.) I have also conducted ceremonies for friends in Utah whose wedding licenses were signed by others, and co-officiated one Unitarian Universalist church wedding. This is what happens when you earn an M.Div. but don't get ordained: Even though I'm what you might call more religious than spiritual, I end up performing spiritual but not religious weddings!

One quibble with Kress: The "unity candle" not only isn't Catholic; it seems most likely a "secular" ritual that is creeping into church weddings.

Copyright © 2004 by Philocrites | Posted 25 September 2004 at 1:01 PM

Previous: Marshall, Kos, and Wonkette: Stars!
Next: Christian abstainers.