Marriage and Pagan celebrancy.

[birkentree]

There's been some recent dialogue in the Australian pagan community around religious marriage celebrants. This has intersected with the ongoing debate around same-sex marriage rights in Australia, and I find myself standing at the crossroads of the two issues. Legally recognised celebrants can be Pagan in religion, but they cannot be 'Pagan'

Comments

[crazyjane13]

Although I've never been a celebrant, I was once honoured by being asked to perform a handfasting for one of my coveners to his long-time partner. It was bittersweet, to say the least. For them, what they were doing was at least as solemn as any pomp-and-circumstance Catholic wedding with full Mass - but it was never going to be recognised as such.

At the time, there was a lot of discussion about whether it would be possible to have more authority to help change the current completely untenable situation if one did have a celebrant's licence. My covener felt, for example, that a celebrant might be able to gather evidence of a real demand for both legal pagan marriage and same-sex marriage. Optimistic, maybe, but ...

[birkentree]

My issue is that I'm seeing little to no reflection on the appropriateness of marriage. There's an acceptance that it's a 'good thing' and no engagement as to the issues around it.

A legally recognised marriage celebrant can collect evidence that same-sex couples want to get married, so can a survey. There's no requirement for a specifically religious celebrant. In pagan beliefs, in Christian beliefs etc etc.

[indigo1]

i've got a better idea. lets ban legal marriage for everyone! straight, gay, pagan, christian, alien - no-one gets married. why the hell does the government have the right to give a stamp of approval to anyone's relationships at all? when did we agree to let the government -approve- who we fuck or decide to set up house with?

so, get rid of state-sanctioned marriage altogether. anyone can go ballistic with the party with the big cakes and frilly white dresses. celebrants can do their thing under any religious ticket they like. have as much visible commitment as you want - but if you want contractual obligations - go see a solicitor and get a proper legal agreement drawn up about whatever bits you think are important.

problem solved...

[haw_thorn]

I don't normally do "Me too's", but I've gotta say that I totally agree with indigo1. But whenever I put this point of view forward all I get is blank puzzled stares!