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A HUMANIST COUPLE is seeking a judicial review of the failure of the Northern Irish authorities to extend legal recognition to humanist marriages.
As it stands, a couple that want a humanist ceremony must also have a separate civil registration for their marriage to be legally recognised.
The British Humanist Association says this means that the ceremony that actually matters to the couple has no status in law.
Model Laura Lacole and Eunan O’Kane, who plays football for Leeds United and the Republic of Ireland national team, are hoping to change this.
Humanist marriages are currently legally recognised in Scotland and the Republic of Ireland.
In Ireland, legal recognition was extended in 2012, and in 2015 humanist marriages became the third most popular type, behind only civil and Catholic.
In Scotland, recognition was extended in 2005, and in 2015 for the first time there were more humanist marriages than Church of Scotland marriages.
Lacole’s lawyers claim that she is being discriminated against under European laws protecting freedom of belief.
Lacole said, “Marriage, for all couples, is a celebration of who that couple are, reflecting their deepest held beliefs and values.
“My wishes for my marriage are for it to reflect my deepest humanist values, much as a Christian might see their marriage as of special significance for them.
People of all religions can be legally married in public ceremonies in accordance with their beliefs and by a celebrant who holds the same beliefs and values. My fiancé and I are only asking for the same rights as religious people already have.
BHA Chief Executive Andrew Copson added, “Humanist weddings are incredibly popular right across the UK and Ireland, and this is especially true where they are given legal recognition.
“UK laws should treat everyone equally, regardless of religion or belief, and so given the recognition given to religious marriages, it is past time that the same recognition is extended to humanist ones.”
A full hearing in the case is scheduled for 26 May.
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Was at a humanist wedding ceremony before Christmas. It was really personal and moving, not to mention uplifting. Basically, the way a wedding ceremony should be.
More of this please, along with humanist alternatives to other ceremonies!
@The Risen: My sister had a humanist wedding a few years back. It was a very moving, personal ceremony as you said. She and her husband had total control over every single aspect of it, with no mandatory prayers or hymns (the most boring parts of the wedding, imo).
It also was a massive bonus that it was held in the same venue as the meal and reception, so there was no need to travel an hour plus away afterwards, like other weddings I’ve been to.
I even managed to sneak in a beer to the ceremony from the venue bar! (Don’t tell my sister that!)
@The Risen: I was at a Christian wedding and I found it the same, very moving and uplifting and the couple had the wedding the way they wasted it.
@Free comment ratings: wasted it…. lol
@Free comment ratings: hahaha wasted it. I really hope that was by accident!
@Free comment ratings: Yes but i bet the priest talked about mythical figures more than he did about the couple celebrating their wedding.
You guys off school early today?
I’m just wondering is she the only one making an issue about this. He holds Irish citizenship why not have the wedding in the Irish republic.
@Just Me: maybe she’s from the North and wants her wedding there. Or they want to have it in some fancy castle.
@Just Me: They’re both from the north of Ireland. But even if they where to get married in the South of the country or in England. The fact is legally they’re marriage wouldn’t be classed as a legally binding marriage in NI so they wouldn’t be afforded the same rights as other married couples.
@Keelan O’neill: Maybe, but you don’t know. He is from Derry and holds an Irish passport. Nothing stopping her to be married in the Republic even in a fancy castle.
@Just Me: If he’s from Derry, that’s probably where they want to have the ceremony as it be easier access for their family and friends.
@Noel: Err, they live in England. Why would they worry about rights they would have in NI.
@meatyslaps: Ever heard of Donegal, most Derry people have a connection, and they even have fancy castles, and hotels that provide for humanist weddings.
@Just Me: That’s completely beside the point – why should they have to move from their own country or county to get married the way they want?
@meatyslaps: Donegal is all of two miles away.
@An_Beal_Bocht: Thanks for the geography lesson, but you’re still missing the point.
@meatyslaps: I get your point, but he’s moved allegiance to a different jurisdiction and represents Ireland instead, surely it’s not a huge step to get married there as well particularly if the humanist side means so much? Either way it again throws into light the ridiculousness of a border in such a small island
Is she the reason why performances dipped for Leeds towards the end of the season?
@Daniel O’Connor: Well he couldn’t walk most days never mind run….
Back in 2003 a Florida judge gave humanists their own holiday.
April 1st.
So they can enjoy playing tricks on the gullible religious folk. Makes sense.
@Jack Cassady: Jack you really are a giant douche. It never ends.
No marriage is recognised by the State except civil ones. Which is why couples sign the register after a church wedding. Humanists seem to want State recognition for their own particular ceremony, which is sectarian discrimination. Notions.
@Brendan Moriarty: “No marriage is recognised by the State except civil ones.”
Of course the state only recognises civil marriages.
“Humanists seem to want State recognition for their own particular ceremony, which is sectarian discrimination.”
That’s not at all what they want. A priest is legally allowed to sign the legal documents after the religious wedding ceremony, so why shouldn’t a humanist be able to do the same?
@Brendan Moriarty: Ever marriage no matter where conducted in the state, the couple have to sign the registrar. No sectarian discrimination involved.
@meatyslaps: the easiest solution would be to recognise the conductor of the humanist ceremony as the solemniser and thus witness the signing of the register in the same manner as priests etc operate on behalf of the State. Signing the register is a well recognised civil registration if the married couple are looking for State recognition. The North of Ireland should not deny them that recognition and they should understand that the signing of the register is the State Official recognition of their marriage. Typical North of Ireland intractable dilemma.
He’s doing well for himself.. Fair play to him
@Darren Doyle: agree – i was sceptical when he went to leeds as to whether hed ever get game time, but he has and has generally done very well….. (i assume thats what you mean)
All this Religious nonsense should be dumped in one go … Draw up a list, Schools & Colleges, Hospitals & Medical & Ancillary treatments, Weddings (incl cakes!!), Blasphemy (Stoning & 25k fines), official blessings & prayers (Dails & Assemblies, Co Councils, boats, aircraft) and away with the lot of it.. Stick a note in the history books and move on..
@DeFonz: the most sensible comment of the day if seen on here..religion has no place in state ,government,law matters
@Jack Cassady: yes.its a humanist holiday.or a duvet day as it is most commonly known.
Does anyone else see anything in the model marrying a footballer? I mention it as one of my staff went to school with a girl whose career aspiration was to marry a premiership footballer (which she did). Meal-ticket lifestyle still instilling romance it seems.
Is he on Free Legal Aid for the Court Case?
Does that mean if things go belly up, you’d need a humanist divorce then?
Just give em a cert saying your married and tell em to shove off
@Stouts O Shea: that’s exactly what this is about? They want a certificate and they want to shove off but they can’t by law.
Airplane blonde?
bollocks
Does the island of Ireland have marriage celebrants outside of the churches and registry offices? Serious question.
@Smiley:
Yes, a humanist officiant can be a registrar, like a priest or other religious person, in the Republic, but not in NI
@Smiley: Yeah, We got married in the Triskel in Cork which ironically used to be a Church. The ceremony was written by us and had no superstitious mumbo jumbo at all. Once the person is on the Register of Solemnisers they can legally marry you.
It’s such a closed shop in Ireland though to actually be a humanist celebrant. They deliberately keep the number so small as you have to be registered with the Irish humanists to keep demand for the few already working.
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