Protecting the true meaning of marriage.

[mudskipper]

So why can't we call that civil partnership a marriage? I don't think the Christian Church has a monopoly on the concept.

[xoggoth]

heterosexual couples even if they are non-religious have to say religious things in the marriage ceremony by law

I don't recall that but it was a long time ago, also I got the giggles and didn't remember much anyway.

[Pondlife]

Common law marriages don't exist in England. It's a common myth that it exists which is why people get shafted if someone they have lived with for decades dies without making a will or they split up.

Oh and not all Christian denominations believe exactly the same thing. Some have more modern liberal views then others and have no problem with homosexuality.

True (IIRC)

Another problem in the UK is that heterosexual couples even if they are non-religious have to say religious things in the marriage ceremony by law.

Not True

Ideally civil partnerships should exist for all, and those who want a religious aspect can get married in the Church of the Christian denomination that accepts them.

Should be true.

[Goatfell]

So why can't we call that civil partnership a marriage? I don't think the Christian Church has a monopoly on the concept.

I've always assumed that "marriage" was a religious term?

Everything else was just shacking up together with varying degrees of legal protection when it went pear shaped .

[TheFaQQer]

Another problem in the UK is that heterosexual couples even if they are non-religious have to say religious things in the marriage ceremony by law.

Only if they get married in a religious place. If you have a civil ceremony, then you are expressly prohibited from having anything religious in the service - we had to have our readings checked by the registrar first before she would allow them.

[d000hg]

Another problem in the UK is that heterosexual couples even if they are non-religious have to say religious things in the marriage ceremony by law.

As others have said, only if it's a religious ceremony... in which case non-believers are essentially starting their marriage by saying a bunch of stuff they don't agree with and making promises to someone they don't believe exists. Which seems a bit of a shaky way to enter into a life-long commitment to me.

Vicars always look so much happier at weddings where the people are actually believers

[shaunbhoy]

Vicars always look so much happier at weddings where the people have paid up front, and there is a free bar at the Reception

ftfy