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Would you attend a Catholic wedding?

Discussion in '2000-02 Archive' started by 4xBlessed, Aug 12, 2001.

  1. 4xBlessed

    4xBlessed New Member

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    My cousin is getting married in my old Catholic church in a few months. I know I've read before that it's okay to attend a function such as this, but the thought of stepping into a Catholic church makes me feel very uncomfortable.

    I left the Catholic church 3 years ago and when I learned just how unbiblical the catholic teachings are, I felt lied to, betrayed, and brainwashed. I know this is probably one of the reasons why I'm feeling very uncomfortable about this, but it's not the only one. The Catholic church is still very familiar to me, and I don't like the thought of sitting down and feeling like I'm in "familiar" surroundings when I am so against the teachings of this organization.

    I'm not close to my cousin at all, but she did attend my wedding (which took place in the Catholic church). Should I go? Send a gift? Please offer me your advice. Thanks!

    Lucy

    Lucy
     
  2. Brother Adam

    Brother Adam New Member

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    Lucy, I think if you feel that you are not going to jump back into the Catholic bandwagon by attending this wedding you should go as a curtousy to your cousin. I was once a long time ago part of the RC faith and don't like going to the churches, but they still are just buildings. and your not going to a service, just a wedding.

    I think it is though totally up to you to decide if you should go or not.

    Until Next Post, Adam
     
  3. Joy

    Joy New Member

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    It is up to you, but if your conscience is bothering you, trust it, or it will bother you a long time afterward as well.

    My niece got married last Nov. after converting to Catholicism to marry the father of her child. She wanted my daughter to be the flower girl. At first I was going to let her and we were to attend, but I remembered that there would be a full mass, and there would be drinking and dancing at the reception. (What ever those reading this think about that, save it for another forum)

    Our family made the really tough decision to not attend, because our consciences couldn't handle it. Others of our family went, and we didn't judge them.

    The biggest issue for us, was the fact that we objected to her marrying an unsaved guy. When the priest asked if there were any objections, we would have to sit there and lie, or interupt her wedding and possibly offend her for life. We felt we would be a better testimony to her by the decision we made, and we lovingly explained it to her.

    Again, this is what our family did, and whatever you decide, will be what is best for you. May the Lord grant you wisdom. ;)
     
  4. Joseph_Botwinick

    Joseph_Botwinick <img src=/532.jpg>Banned

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    I agree with everyone else above...this is a matter of conscience that you and God need to work out together. Pray about it and listen for the leading of the Holy Spirit in your life...and then follow it. If you feel like going to the church would make you weak in your faith, or would tempt you to sin...don't do it.

    In answer to your thread's question...yes I would and have attended Catholic weddings. I even sang at one with full mass (it took soooooooooooo long). When we saw that there was going to be a lot of drinking during the reception, we congratulated the bride and groom and slipped out early and went out to eat. We didn't really mind the dancing, but the drinking was too much for us (again, that is another matter of conscience to be worked out between you and God what you think about dancing and drinking).

    Hope this helps,

    Joseph
     
  5. SaggyWoman

    SaggyWoman Active Member

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    Actually, I have never been to a Catholic wedding, nor have I been invited to one...but if I had a good friend who was Catholic and was getting married, I believe I would go because they were my friend.

    I do not have family that is Catholic (that is, family that is close enough physically or relationship-wise) that this would be a problem.

    Conscience sake--I guess I am older in my faith that this would not be a problem--if I felt in good conscience that there was something during the ceremony that I could not be a part of or it disturbed me to the point of being bothersome, I would leave or not partake.

    For example, if I attended a Catholic wedding, I would not participate in the Eucharist. Nor probably if there was mass read or whatever, I would be gracious, but just an observer. (Besides, I might slip up and say or do something odd, and at that point, I would enjoy the comedy routine rather than be nice at a wedding, therefore my decision ahead of time to not participate in some parts would be better for all involved.)

    Dancing at the wedding? If I ever get married, there will be dancing at my wedding.

    Drinking? hehehe. Anyway. :rolleyes: :D
     
  6. Chris Temple

    Chris Temple New Member

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    <BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by 4xBlessed:
    My cousin is getting married in my old Catholic church in a few months. I know I've read before that it's okay to attend a function such as this, but the thought of stepping into a Catholic church makes me feel very uncomfortable.

    I left the Catholic church 3 years ago and when I learned just how unbiblical the catholic teachings are, I felt lied to, betrayed, and brainwashed.
    <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

    Would you go to a Mormon wedding, or a JW wedding, or a Christian Science wedding? As a former RC myself, let me say that the RCC is a blasphemy toward God, assuredly a cult of the virgin, and I would not honor that system by attending any wedding there.
     
  7. Chris Temple

    Chris Temple New Member

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    <BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by atestring:
    I have never been to one but have visited a mass twice in my life. I did not have a problem with mass but I just did not know what i was suppose to do. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

    Exactly what part of the mass did you not have a problem with: the transubstantiation of wine and a cookie into the literal body and blood of Christ, or the resacrificing of Christ on the altar, or the prayers to Mary?
     
  8. Brother Adam

    Brother Adam New Member

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    Hold on there Chris,

    Going to a cousins wedding is not honoring the Catholic organization, its being a friend to your cousin. If I was invited to a Mormon wedding of a good friend- I'd go. And if the question of religion came up at the wedding I would witness to those around me.

    Until Next Post, Adam
     
  9. 4xBlessed

    4xBlessed New Member

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    Thank you everyone for your replies.

    I'd like to add that I'm very strong in my faith. I'm not worried that my faith would be shaken by attending a Catholic wedding. I'm just very uncomfortable with the idea of being in a Catholic church. As I said, it's only been 3 years since I walked out of that church forever. It's still a little TOO familiar to me, kwim? I don't know if this is 'just a wedding' or a mass included. This particular family is very devout in their beliefs so I wouldn't be surprised if a mass is part of the ceremony. As most of you know, there's a lot of 'back and forth' between the congregation and the priest. It would be a lot easier for me if I didn't know what to expect, but I know that if there's a mass, I'll know exactly what is coming next, everything that's going on will word-for-word be running through my head. They may say a Catholic prayer, and even though I won't be saying it, the words are still there in my head and I don't like that. Am I making any sense?

    I supposed I could go and just pray throughout the 'uncomfortable' parts.

    Lucy
     
  10. John Wells

    John Wells New Member

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    If you are, as you say "not close at all," I would send a gift and spare yourself the ordeal. The "vows" would be the only nice part, but with an occultic mass and I'm assuming a drunken reception/party to follow, it doesn't sound like my idea (nor yours from your own words) of a good time.
     
  11. Raulf7

    Raulf7 New Member

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    I would go, but I would not be involved in any part of any religious ceremony. I mean I would take communion with them nor pray with them etc
     
  12. HankD

    HankD Well-Known Member
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    I was born into an Italian Catholic family with a jewish element. Personally, I have had no problem whatsoever attending Catholic and Jewish functions while politely stepping aside when they did their religion thing.
    I know that others might disagree, but for myself, I never had even the slightest twinge of conscience. In fact, I am/was thankful to God to be able to show my family my love for them while not participating in their religion.

    HankD
     
  13. Joy

    Joy New Member

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    Lucy, you've gotten a lot of good advice from everyone, and I'm sure everyone has your best interest at heart. I would now take it to the Lord, and He will help you decide on the decision. He promises to give us wisdom when we ask! [​IMG]
     
  14. Chris Temple

    Chris Temple New Member

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    <BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by flyfree432:
    Hold on there Chris,

    Going to a cousins wedding is not honoring the Catholic organization, its being a friend to your cousin. If I was invited to a Mormon wedding of a good friend- I'd go. And if the question of religion came up at the wedding I would witness to those around me.

    Until Next Post, Adam
    <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

    I wonder how many Baal-honoring weddings Elijah would have attended? :rolleyes:
     
  15. Brother Adam

    Brother Adam New Member

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    Chris, I bet your not a prophet either! If your going to compare yourself to someone compare yourself to Jesus Christ. :D

    Until Next Post, Adam :D
     
  16. HankD

    HankD Well-Known Member
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    &gt;&gt;I wonder how many Baal-honoring weddings Elijah would have attended? &gt;&gt;

    But he did attend an inter-faith sacrifice with them. Of course it didnt turn out to well for the priests of Baal.

    HankD
     
  17. War_Eagle

    War_Eagle New Member

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    Been to several weddings in Catholic churches and, as a member of the Emerald Society Honour Guard, have attended many more in a ceremonial capacity.

    I guess I was secure enough in my relationship with Christ that I was never threatened by it as some here seem to be.

    They were all very nice.

    I also found the receptions to be no better or worse than protestant receptions. Certainly not the drunken free for all that some here have tried to paint them as.
     
  18. Jesse

    Jesse New Member

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    I haven't read this whole thread, but in response to the question in the title: Yes. Just because you're in the building doesn't mean you believe in what's taught there.
     
  19. John Wells

    John Wells New Member

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    4XBlessed,

    Doesn't the RCC excommunicate people from the church still? For such things as "marrying into another faith?" I've heard of this but am not very informed on the current state of the practice. My point is: if you introduced yourself to the priest before the wedding and related your converted status, would you not be unwelcomed?
     
  20. HankD

    HankD Well-Known Member
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    It takes a lot for a Catholic to be ex-communicated these days, one almost has to ask for the procedure.

    The last I heard, the RCC allows interfaith marriages if the non-Catholic promises to allow the children to be raised Catholic.
    I believe that promise might now include no birth control, no abortions.

    Just as an aside:As unscriptural as the RCC doctrine is, they do promote a totally non-compromised pro-life stand and fight without ceasing for the unborn.

    HankD
     
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