Is this coming from faith, or lack of faith?
If you dont make it clear exactly what you are supporting and what you are not, then they WILL assume you are supporting the validity and approval of marrying outside the Church. This is common sense.
From my point of view, it comes from your Church not having a rule against attending, and putting your own stipulation upon yourself
So your opinion in this topic leans towards placing fear and guilt that refraining from an invalid wedding is harmful and negatively aggressive to the relationship with the couple rejecting the Church.
It leans toward it being something to think about because I’ve seen it. For some reason you don’t think that’s even a possibility.
A good relationship will not be ruined over this!
Seen it.
If the couple breaks friendship over this, it’s because they are placing a very wrong condition on the relationship.
I’m not going to disagree… I said it’s a consequence that can happen. I’m not sure why you’re not getting that.
Come support our wedding, or you are not our friend!”
Well ya, that’s normally what friends and family do…or at least I think that’s the norm.
That means they dont respect you, or your faith convictions, because you are supporting the Catholic faith!
That, to them, can also mean that you are personally choosing not to attend the wedding as you are not happy for them, won’t be there on one of their biggest of days…and honestly that they don’t mean that much.
Is it a lock to happen, no…but can it…heck ya.
And attending under this fear will not help this attitude, but drag you into their own lawlessness.
I’d probably ease back on that talk, especially if it’s when you’re talking about how you’re choosing (Catholic Church doesn’t say you can’t) not to attend the wedding.
Unless you think telling them attending their big day is going to “drag you into lawlessness” is going to somehow strengthen the relationship. Personally, I kinda think it helps show why a couple can look to sever ties…but maybe that’s just me.