A Catholic marrying an atheist presents challenges regarding religious differences. Catholics must follow certain rules of their faith, such as weekly mass attendance and annual confession. A Catholic wedding ceremony includes traditional elements like a covered dress and veil. An atheist wedding is a purely civil ceremony without religious components. A Catholic marrying an atheist in a Catholic church requires permission and promises from the Catholic spouse to raise children Catholic and remain Catholic. Compromise may be needed regarding places and rituals for marriage and holidays when partners have differing religious beliefs. However, some positive outcomes can emerge such as learning about each other's perspectives and examining one's own beliefs.

1. Catholic marrying an atheist
Riikka Williams & Alexandra Vinogradova

2. Definitions
Catholic religion
Catholics are, first and foremost, Christians
who believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of
God. Catholicism shares some beliefs with
other Christian practices, but essential
Catholic beliefs include the following
 The bible, revealed word of god
 Baptism
 God’s ten commands, the ethical standard
to live by
 Holy trinity (Father, Son & Holy Spirit)
Atheism
Atheists don’t believe in God/Gods, soul,
afterlife and other religious beliefs
 Older dictionaries define atheism as "a
belief that there is no God."
 Is not a religion!
 Atheists do not have a common belief
system, sacred scripture or atheist Pope
 Atheists often disagree on many issues
and ideas

3. Rules of catholic faith
 Attend Mass every Sunday and holy day of obligation.
 Go to confession annually if not more often or when needed.
 Receive Holy Communion during Easter. Receiving weekly or daily is
encouraged, though.
 Observe laws on fasting and abstinence: one full meal on Ash Wednesday and
Good Friday; not eating meat on Fridays during Lent.
 Obey the marriage laws of the Church.
 Support the Church financially and otherwise.

4. Catholic wedding traditions
 There is generally little flexibility to incorporate personal
touches of the bride and groom to reflect their own
personal creativity or style (old Catholics)
 Wedding dress with covered shoulders
 Wearing a veil
 Modern ceremonies allowed more often (with own vows)
 Ceremony lasts about an hour
 Mass only included if a catholic marries another catholic

5. Atheist wedding
Purely civil wedding
 performed by a Justice of the Peace
 license
 couple of witnesses
 simple statement of contractual vows
Ceremony
 transition from being single to being a
couple
 may take place in a church
 no religious readings and songs
 the rituals have a wholly secular meaning
for the participants

6. Humanist Weddings
 Vows are written by the couple or by a
humanist celebrant in consultation with
the couple
 Theme of the vows will focus on topics
like love and commitment
 There may be rituals (like a unity candle)
which have religious meaning in religious
ceremonies, but in humanist weddings
same rituals have a secular meaning
 These weddings provide a familiar context
for friends and relatives (which might be
religious)

7. Rules of marrying an atheist
In a Catholic church
 You need permission from the local Bishop
to be married
 The Catholic spouse must make a promise
to remove all barriers to remaining
Catholic and must remain Catholic
 The Catholic spouse must make a promise
to raise any children from the marriage
Catholic
 The Catholic spouse must inform his/her
partner of the above promises prior to
marriage
 Both spouses must be instructed as to the
purpose and essential properties of
marriage
 The ceremony must be conducted in
proper canonical form (that is, before a
member of the Catholic clergy) unless a
dispensation is received from the local
Bishop
 It is forbidden for you to hold two
ceremonies wherein you take the marital
vows

8. Things to consider when marrying outside your faith
 Where to get married?
 How do the families feel about it?
 How to raise your children?
 How far are you willing to
compromise your own beliefs?
 Can you respect the other person’s
religious and try not to convert
them?
 Everyday rituals?
 Holidays?

9. Positive side of religious
believers and non-
believers marrying
1. Many partners discover that religious and nonreligious
people can share morals and values.
2. Many partners report becoming a better example of their
own worldview.
3. Many conservative religious believers adopt more
progressive and tolerant social views
4. Many nonbelievers are better able to let go of paralyzing
resentments toward religion.
5. The difference often leads partners to learn more about
each other than they otherwise would have.
6. Both believers and nonbelievers find themselves examining
their own beliefs more closely.

10. Sources
 http://atheism.about.com/od/atheistsweddings/a/nonreligious.htm
 http://atheists.org/activism/resources/what-is-atheism