General Chat

Now c'mon Eldrick, at least do things properly...........Matza and Ribena surely?? :-S


Interesting about the cross dressing bit though........images of Grayson Perry are floating in my mind. I'm sure you look....er.....adorable :-D :-D


Dead language eh? Didn't know that Scouse speak was extinct :-S


Don't worry about not saying grace.......you could always utter those immortal words........"grub up folks".


:-D :-D :-D


ps. Apologies to Elizabeth for turning this thread away from it's original topic. :-(

We do indeed. We have a packet of jacobs cream crackers which we pretend are flesh, and some home made bramble wine that we pretend is blood, and we have a little cannibal feast. Whilst cross dressing and chanting stuff in a dead language.

Only kidding. More shockingly, we don't say grace before we eat. How awful is that!

Why ever not Sharron? Don't tell me they indulge in strange rites and practices.......lol :-S ;-) :-D

Don't go to his barbeque!!!!!!

We don't need money to be atheists - it's the cost effective alternative :-)

You're on! As long as you don't expect a donation to your cause!!


:-D :-D :-D

Now now cynthia it depends on what version of christianity you mean. And its not christianity i object to, it's the churches that con people that i find despicable.

Are anglicans and catholics not both christians? Im confused lol.

I take it by being an anglican that you dont subscribe to mormonism, etc? We are agreed on that then! In fact, we probably agree on almost everything but i just go one church further than you :-)

I would love to come and eat your steak pie. I would be happy to reciprocate and invite you to our annual atheists bbq. Date? :-D

For your hinformation Eldrick sweetness........

The collection plate is not normally passed round at weddings but is left at the back for voluntary donations.


Sometimes there is a good amount - which helps towards everyday running costs.


Sometimes there is not a lot - which means the heating bill isn't paid.



Sometimes there are .........................just worthless foreign coins - which indicate the contempt in which the church is held :-(



By the by.....it costs over £1,000 per week to keep most churches functioning. I reckon we should revert back to candles to save on the leccy bills.......... :-D

Oh Eldrick, you ARE naughty :-D


You and I both know that this discussion could go on for ever...... ;-)


You also know full well (I hope!) that Christianity itself is 2,000 years old........tuts.



As for the word 'church' - this actually refers to the people who make up the congregation, not the building in which they choose to worship.



As for the wealth of the RC church - I really wouldn't like to comment as I am an Anglican........... :-;



As you are such a steadfast non-believer dear heart, you would still be very, very welcome to come to the luncheon club which is run at our church. Of course, you would have to pay for your steak and mushroom pie/braised steak or hotpot, but you don't have to be a believer or donate in any other way.



In fact, it would be my treat :-D

if anyone else charged over £400 for 40 minutes work they would be pilloried. The actual costs can only be a fraction of that. But to an extent i personally dont mind that particular fee. If someone wants to have a church wedding, go for it. I think the fee could be tripled easily. As you say, its the ceremony not the dress thats important.

Do they deduct the collection from the cost of the wedding?

:-D :-D

A church wedding doesn't have to cost more than the basic fee of £415.


The other items are optional 'extras' as no-one 'needs' to have the bells rung or the choir attending.


In fact, there doesn't 'need' to be music at all but, if the couple want music played at their wedding, then it makes sense that they have to pay for it.


Many organists are retired folk who are glad of the extra little bit of income - to others who travel around, it can be their main source of income.


As a pensioner, £415 is a lot to me but, when I see the amount that some people are prepared to pay for Designer goods, it doesn't seem that much when put into perspective.


I know of women who go into my daughter-in-law's shop and regularly spend £200+ in one go on handbags and clothes; and I'm not talking of millionaires either - just ordinary young women.


You often find that people condemn the cost of a church marriage but are willing to pay hundreds (if not more), for the dress and the reception.


It's the marriage ceremony itself which is the important bit, not the extras.



:-D :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D

Hi cynthia

Which church is 2000 years old? The c of e is 500 years old and wouldnt exist if 'Enery hadn't wanted a divorce. Scientology, mormonism and the jo ho's are all modern. Catholicism is quite old , i will grant you that. But whatever, the common denominator is the heads live in total wealth and affluence. Whilst their followers are taught that being poor is good. Not a scam? Lol of course it is. The biggest scam in the history of the world. Why does god demand such wealth surrounding his representatives on earth? I mean, you cant take it with you can you. If the pope were to go and live in a cave and wear a rabbit skin loincloth i might be swayed. But thats not going to happen, is it. :-)

And I steadfastly maintain that not one of these churches gives back anything for the community at large unless they are 'believers' and therefore by definition donors. I dont need no website to tell me that. Its a simple fact!

:-D

i agree totally with you sharon,
Ias really shocked at the prices,but daughter has a little girl and wants to do it for her,(her partners parents never married,and his three sisters have never married,) her partner thinks differently from his siblings,to him marriage is important.x :-P :-D

In the paper today it estinmated the cost of an average church wedding would now be around £1000, this included charges for organist, heating, certificate (not licence if banns called), bells, choir.

I am not married because I have never felt that our relationship was such that I would want to make any sort of official statement about it.

Isn;t the important part of a marriage, or,indeed, any relationship, the part that you work on daily without any public show?

With this in mind,My idea of a wedding ceremony would be something inconspicuous that you carried out quietly with those who were important to you. For me this would be a civil ceremony but a religious ceremony would be relevant to those who wanted their God included.

The nearest registry office in this county is something like fifty miles away so anybody wishing to take this very important step is encouraged to hire a private venue at great expense or to spend a great deal of money that is probably better utilized elsewhere in a church.

It really does not surprise me that marriage is in decline.

yes it does thank you cynthia.
the marriage banns will be read.so no licence needed.
my youngest daughter is the firsto my children to get married,and she was told a few days ago by a member of her partners family that she needed a licence,i couldnt advise her because its a long time since i was married and things have changed,a member of her partners family told her that she needed a licence,and she couldnt ask the vicar because shes away for a few days.
thank you.x

The principal law relating to marriage in Church of England parish churches is contained in the Marriage Act 1949. The Act provides that before a marriage can take place in a church, one of the following legal requirements must be fulfilled:

1.The calling of Banns; OR
2.The issue of a Common Licence by the Bishop of the Diocese; OR
3.The issue of a Special Licence by the Archbishop; OR
4.The issue of a Superintendent Registrar's Certificate.


Hope this helps. Cx

while we are on the subject of marriage could someone answer a question for me?.......could someone tell me if you need a wedding licence to marry in a church? i dont think you do.x :-)

Suzanne....if it was a C. of E. wedding it would have cost about £30.


When I think.......I was married in 1968........can't remember the cost of the marriage itself, but I know my dress cost £14 - and that was a lot of money then!!


Dermot........everything has it's price I guess! ;-)

We moan about the cost of living. Add to that the cost of dying.