Do you take this Wookie...

[Gob]

Proposed changes to marriage would open the way for Star Wars Jedi to perform ceremonies, a church has said.

The Free Church of Scotland said the Marriage and Civil Partnership (Scotland) Bill will allow groups promoting a belief to marry couples.

The government said the change was relevant to bodies such as humanists, who are classed as religious rather than non-religious at the moment.

A spokeswoman said the reputation of Scottish ceremonies would be protected.

The Free Church of Scotland has raised concerns about religious and civil partnership ceremonies being joined by a third category.

Church spokesman, the Reverend Iver Martin, told BBC Alba: "The third category is quite astonishing because it is the so-called belief category without really defining what belief means.

"There are loads of people in a diverse society like this for whom belief can mean virtually anything - the Flat Earth Society and Jedi Knights Society - who knows?

"I am not saying that we don't give place to that kind of personal belief, but when you start making allowances for marriages to be performed within those categories then you are all over the place."

The Scottish government is holding public consultation on bill.

A spokeswoman said: "Our current consultation covers not only the introduction of same sex marriage but also the detail of important protections in relation to religious bodies and celebrants, freedom of speech and education.

"As part of the consultation we have outlined the reason for suggesting a third type of ceremony.

"At the moment, marriage ceremonies by bodies such as humanists have been classed as religious, even though the beliefs of such organisations are non-religious."
Yoda The Jedi Knight Society offers lessons from Jedi master Yoda

She said that the bill made clear the government's determination to ensure the continued reputation of Scottish marriage ceremonies.

The spokeswoman added: "We are proposing the introduction of tests which a religious or belief body would have to meet before they could be authorised to solemnise marriage."

The Flat Earth Society encourages discussion on a theory that the Earth is a flat disk centred at the North Pole. The society also archives literature on the theory.

Founded in the 1800s by English inventor Samuel Birley Rowbotham, the society's theory is largely based on literal interpretations of passages in the Bible.

Jedi knights are characters in the Star Wars franchise, which includes books, comics, toys and films. Disney, which owns the rights to the franchise, is preparing to release new movies.

Various groups promote interest in the Jedi and include the Jedi Knight Society - which offers lessons from Master Yoda - and Temple of the Jedi Order.

Training in Jedi skills - such as use of light sabres, are also offered at a knights' school in California.

[Scooter]

Ontario has some of the most ridiculously restrictive rules on who qualifies as a minister of religion entitled to perform marriages. I suspect they date back to colonial times when the Anglican Church was the established church and they wanted to maintain control over everything. Among other things, it requires that the religious denomination seeking authority for its ministers to perform marriages must have had a physical presence in the province for 25 years.

[oldr_n_wsr]

The first Star Wars came out in 1977 (or close to that year) so they might have a claim to become a "religion".

ETA
While I am not religious, i think the "force" is a better explanation of the ties between people and nature than how most religions explain the connection (or don't explain).

[Crackpot]

ETA
While I am not religious, i think the "force" is a better explanation of the ties between people and nature than how most religions explain the connection (or don't explain).

that is until episode 1 came out

[Sean]

The Force is gaffer tape as any fule no.

It has a dark side, a light side and binds the universe together.

[Gob]

Like!!!

[rubato]

In the US the "Universal Life Church" has ordained anyone who sent in 5$ since 1977.

We were married by a Universal Life Church" minister (who was also Doctor of Theology, University of Munich and Dean of Humanities, as Provost of Kresge College, as Associate Chancellor and as Director of University of California's Education Abroad Program in Göttingen, West Germany at the University of California at Santa Cruz, lifetime member of the National Rifle Association, Member/Chair of the Santa Cruz Fish and Game Commission and served as well on the Board of the Watsonville Chapter of the California Waterfowl Association, and a number of other naturalist associations devoted to the rational and ecologically beneficial cultivation of the fauna and flora of the world. ).

So there.

yrs,
rubato

[Sean]

We were married by a JP named Brian.

In your face!

[Scooter]

I became a minister in the Universal Life Church, they weren't even asking for $5 anymore by the time I did it (late 90s). Doesn't do me any good here, of course, since they don't actually have physical congregations, so would never be given a licence to perform marriages in this province.

[Gob]

So rubato's marrige ceremony was as sham as everything else about him.

Colour me surprised.

[RayThom]

I, too, have been a duly ordained bishop/minister in the Universal Life Church since the mid '70s. The only requirement in my state, Pennsylvania, is that the recognized officiator (ie. minister) "must provide a certificate of marriage to the bride and groom. Also, the officiator must send a marriage certificate to the clerk of the orphans' court who issued the marriage license within 10 days after the marriage."

As a bishop I ordained four ministers within a few years after my elevation, shortly after entering the ULC ministry. I retired many years ago when the IRS started to heavily audit the Church's membership. The strength of my ministerial convictions was not strong enough to weather my congregation's charter so I soon hung up my mitre and crosier. However, one of my ministers, the Right Reverend Harry, is still very active in the Church. His specialty is weddings -- especially when he knows the bride and groom mostly need a visual and legal union, and not hardcore theology.

My niece got married three years ago and had a ULC minister officiate the ceremony. I knew the minister but I had nothing to do with her personal involvement in the church's activities. BTW -- my niece and her husband are now parents to two wonderful children and the whole family couldn't be happier. A rite performed by an "organized religion" is not necessary for personal growth, and/or spirituality. It's what is inside, not outside that matters most. Obviously, rubato and my niece can testify to this.

AMEN

Dominus vobiscum.

[Scooter]

So rubato's marrige ceremony was as sham as everything else about him.

Colour me surprised.

No. Rules in California on who may perform a marriage are very different from what they are here, is all.

[Econoline]

Dominus vobiscum.

(in the spirit of the title of this thread:) Et cum spirit2D2.

[Lord Jim]

Well, doesn't it seem like there ought to be something between "25 years of physical presence in the Province"...(which seems somewhat excessive...)

And a "church" seeking parishioners on the back of a match book cover, (like the, "Universal Life Church", for example...)

It seems to me that there's a whole lotta wiggle room between those two...

[rubato]

So rubato's marrige ceremony was as sham as everything else about him.

Colour me surprised.

No. Rules in California on who may perform a marriage are very different from what they are here, is all.

We still had to get a marriage license from the County of Santa Cruz and file the associated paperwork. But the person who 'says the words' over you is a personal choice.

yrs,
rubato

[oldr_n_wsr]

We were married by a priest in the Catholic church in St. Aidens parish in East Williston NY. I forgot the priests name but I do remember at pre caina (sp?) he asked was I willing to accept children from God willingly? And i questioned did that mean I wasn't supposed to use birth control and answered in the affirmative. I said I will accept any child the church is willing to support. He married us anyway.