Why can't Catholics get married outdoors?

[Suspicious_Mind]

Because while all space is sacred to God (in and out) certain places are CONSECRATED TO HIM. A Catholic Church is one of those places.

Since when does a truth rest on whatever a given individual ‘wants to do’, my friend?

Do you accept the authority of the Church to speak for Christ? If you do, then you will accept its teachings.

Look at my status, no I’m not Catholic.

If you don’t, then why would you want to be concerned about it? If you don’t want to be Catholic and don’t want to marry in a Catholic Church, you don’t have to.

Nothing wrong with pointing out flaws in reasoning, especially if the statements seem to imply “because the Church said so” - even if the “Church says so” there has to be some solid reasoning behind it, they don’t just make up things without some reasoning behind it. There’s nothing wrong with questioning it either, better than blindly following.

If you are Catholic and you don’t want to follow the rules, well, you can disobey but there will be consequences. Not because I say so, because God says so.

Let’s not even go there

Your opinion is noted, but I’ll stick with somebody tried and true–Jesus Christ and His Church, not an anonymous poster with absolutely no authority to make any kind of decision ‘against’ the teachings of Christ just because he thinks that ‘everything is sacred and it shouldn’t matter’.

It would be helpful if you read carefully what I wrote. I never wrote everything is sacred. His Church eh? The same Church for the last 2000 years that’s constantly peppered their record with ridiculous decisions that Pope John Paul II had to make a stunning apology for millenia worth of poor decisions by Church authorities?

I rather make rational decisions based on the merit of what the person says, rather than based on their authoritative status. Just because an anonymous poster says something doesn’t mean they’re wrong. Your argument is known as “appeal to authority fallacy” - this is a basic philosophical mistake, and it renders your argument invalid, if you don’t believe me, you can ask a priest this.

Believe it or not, I learnt most of my philosophy through an Opus Dei priest, so I have a pretty good grip with non-sensical statements made by Catholics as he’s taught us common faults by over zealous Catholics, and yours is probably the biggest one in the book. In either case, I’m not saying anything against the “teachings of Christ” - as far as I’m concerned I’m not going against Scripture. I have nothing against people being married indoors either, it’s just that I punched a hole in your statement earlier, because it lacked any form of cogency to it, and I’m pretty certain the Church’s reasoning behind it is probably a lot more stable than that too, so at least if you’re going to guide people, do it properly than claim to follow the Church and give some ridiculous statement and try to defend it with fallacious reasoning.

Good luck.

 

[peduzzi89]

Cause the Church said so. End of discussion.

What a useless answer! This exactly the reason why non Catholics get turned off by the Catholic Church, because so many Catholics think people should never wonder about things. Clearly the person already knew THAT the Church said so, he or she was obviously wondering WHY she said so. Wanting to know the reason for something isn’t the same thing as questioning the Church’s authority. Knowing why the Church takes a certain stance on something would serve to enrich that person’s faith and bring them closer to God’s word/will.

 

[Phemie]

I’ve been to outdoor Christian weddings and found far too may distractions; Sun is too hot, breeze is too chilly, grass is too clumpy, decorations keep blowing around, kids are out of control, a DJ just isn’t the same as a Pipe Organ, etc.; I’ll take a church wedding anytime.

Other than the grass being too clumpy, I’ve experienced the other things in church too: too hot, too cold, kids out of control, DJ, bad decorations. It all depends on the priest and some will allow just about anything. I have one who seats the entire wedding party in the sanctuary, in front of the altar, facing the people because “it’s easier to get good pictures.” My reply, “Yes, because the most important thing about this ceremony is pictures…”

 

[Danny_Clover]

Tantum ergo:

If you are Catholic and you don’t want to follow the rules, well, you can disobey but there will be consequences. Not because I say so, because God says so.

I’d like to learn more about that. Where in the Bible does it say that there will be consequences for being married outdoors? What are these consequences?

 

[micahmike]

Cause the Church said so. End of discussion.

Wow. Such charity, such love.

Catholics are allowed to get married outside if the have reason to, the normal way is to do it in a Church.  PittsburghJeff's answer did a good job of speaking to the "why", I think.

Most sacraments usually take place in a Church - all of them can take place outside the Church building if there is some compelling reason to do so.  "Because I prefer it that way" is not really a compelling reason to deviate from the norm.

 

[agapewolf]

In “The spirit of the liturgy” Benedict speaks a lot about the symbolism and holiness of the walls of the temple. The Church building is more than just a building. It is more than just sacred ground. It is the host of the greater Catholic church…the community, the church instituted by Christ. A wedding (especially in the latin rite) where the couple ministers the sacrament to each other, is by definition, supposed to be a public statement. The public nature is witnessed by the parish community.

The walls themselves hold great significance in providing that presence of the Church.

The church has every right to dictate the specific form and matter for sacraments. (just as the state does). Catholic are bound by the rules of the faith in their participation in marriages, sacramental or not. So even if there wasn’t significant reasoning for having a wedding inside, it doesn’t matter.

I would encourage anyone who would rather have a beach wedding to find a church they love so much, a community they love so much that they couldn’t imagine having their marriage in any other place but that church.

As for specific bible references, there are definitely set rules about worship. Those rules can change, but the rules in general must be followed.

The “consequences” that tantum ergo referred to were for “disobedience”.

 

[Danny_Clover]

agapewolf:

I would encourage anyone who would rather have a beach wedding to find a church they love so much, a community they love so much that they couldn’t imagine having their marriage in any other place but that church.

And I believe my daughter would be the first to tell you that she loves her church family that much, but I also believe she understands that a church building is just a building. There’s no special spiritual significance about a church building. There may be sentimental signifigance, but it’s just a building.

When our church first started, we met in a tent. Literally, a tent. When it rained, we got wet. When it got hot, we got hot. Then, we met in the banquet hall at the local firehouse. After that, an old converted Grange hall. Now, we’re fixing to move in to our new and hopefully permanent building.

Whether it’s a tent, or a fire house, or an old Grange hall, or this new building, the Gospel hasn’t changed. The Word of God hasn’t changed. Our worship hasn’t changed. The ordinances haven’t changed. The fellowship hasn’t changed. Our mission hasn’t changed. Those are the things our church is based on, not a building.

The “consequences” that tantum ergo referred to were for “disobedience”.

Disobedience for what? Doing something the Bible never says not to do?

 

[Suspicious_Mind]

And I believe my daughter would be the first to tell you that she loves her church family that much, but I also believe she understands that a church building is just a building. There’s no special spiritual significance about a church building. There may be sentimental signifigance, but it’s just a building.

When our church first started, we met in a tent. Literally, a tent. When it rained, we got wet. When it got hot, we got hot. Then, we met in the banquet hall at the local firehouse. After that, an old converted Grange hall. Now, we’re fixing to move in to our new and hopefully permanent building.

Whether it’s a tent, or a fire house, or an old Grange hall, or this new building, the Gospel hasn’t changed. The Word of God hasn’t changed. Our worship hasn’t changed. The ordinances haven’t changed. The fellowship hasn’t changed. Our mission hasn’t changed. Those are the things our church is based on, not a building.

Disobedience for what? Doing something the Bible never says not to do?

Danny Clover is 100% right here. A Church is not just a building it’s the community, it’s whenever people gather in Jesus’ name, a building obviously has some great advantages, but having all your functions in a building is not something that’s scriptural or something that has some great merit to it.

 

[agapewolf]

And I believe my daughter would be the first to tell you that she loves her church family that much, but I also believe she understands that a church building is just a building. There’s no special spiritual significance about a church building. There may be sentimental signifigance, but it’s just a building.

o?

Read the book I suggested…your statement here as fact does not match up with what the church teaches or believes about it. There absolutely IS significance of the church building, the walls that house it. Its stands as presence of the church community.

It carries way more significance than one realizes…

 

[Tantum_ergo]

Danny Clover is 100% right here. A Church is not just a building it’s the community, it’s whenever people gather in Jesus’ name, a building obviously has some great advantages, but having all your functions in a building is not something that’s scriptural or something that has some great merit to it.

Nobody is saying the Church is just a building. That’s a strawman YOU put up.

The Church is guided by the Holy Spirit. Just because there is nothing explicitly written in Scripture (which the Catholic Church gave you anyway) regarding wedding ceremonies does not mean that the Church’s teaching is antiScriptural. It isn’t. The Church has the authority to make decisions on various sacraments, practices, etc. based on the guidance of the Spirit. Don’t YOU listen to the Holy Spirit? Well, so do we.

Again, YOU aren’t Catholic, you don’t have any ‘say’ over what the Church teaches. You have your OPINION, you’re welcome to it, but please don’t try to tell us Catholics that our Church is wrong because you ‘say so’ or try to override its teachings based on YOUR PERSONAL AND NONAUTHORITATIVE OPINION. Thank you and have a pleasant day.

 

[Danny_Clover]

agapewolf:

Read the book I suggested…your statement here as fact does not match up with what the church teaches or believes about it. There absolutely IS significance of the church building, the walls that house it. Its stands as presence of the church community.

It carries way more significance than one realizes…

So you say. I guess this is just one more difference between Catholics and Protestants.

But the bottom line remains that there still isn’t anything in scripture that says that you can’t be married outside, or that you have to get the church’s permission to be married outside.

 

[agapewolf]

So you say. I guess this is just one more difference between Catholics and Protestants.

No, so I’ve studied. Again, read the book. I actually look into things that I don’t understand or know about so I can understand the why’s. I don’t just form opinions about things that I haven’t even looked into.

 

[Danny_Clover]

No, so I’ve studied. Again, read the book.

Thank you, but I’ve already got a couple dozen books to catch up on. Besides, if you can’t answer my question even after you claim you’ve read the book, how helpful can it be?

I actually look into things that I don’t understand or know about so I can understand the why’s. I don’t just form opinions about things that I haven’t even looked into.

Have you looked into what the Bible says about being married outside?

 

[Tantum_ergo]

No, I’m not going to read the book. The Bible is our authority, not your book and, frankly, you say you’ve read the book, but you still can’t answer my questions. So obviously, the book isn’t very helpful.

Have you looked into what the Bible says about being married outside?

Have you looked into what the Bible says about what is the authority for a Christian? Hint: It’s not the Bible itself. It is the Church --the pillar and foundation of truth.

 

[Suspicious_Mind]

Nobody is saying the Church is just a building. That’s a strawman YOU put up.

Really? This is fascinating, in a thread about whether it should be indoors or outdoors, people seem to be implying it should be indoors, which means they are referencing a building, and some of them are getting pretty personal about it too, hint hint. It’s no strawman, it’s continuously referenced and implied

Do you know what a strawman argument is?

The Church is guided by the Holy Spirit. Just because there is nothing explicitly written in Scripture (which the Catholic Church gave you anyway) regarding wedding ceremonies does not mean that the Church’s teaching is antiScriptural. It isn’t. The Church has the authority to make decisions on various sacraments, practices, etc. based on the guidance of the Spirit. Don’t YOU listen to the Holy Spirit? Well, so do we.

An authority some people may or may not agree with, that’s not the issue here. The whole point is, there’s nothing wrong with having marriage ceremonies outdoors, and I believe some Catholics have already echoed that sentiment, so I don’t know what you’re flagellating at right now.

Again, YOU aren’t Catholic, you don’t have any ‘say’ over what the Church teaches. You have your OPINION, you’re welcome to it, but please don’t try to tell us Catholics that our Church is wrong because you ‘say so’ or try to override its teachings based on YOUR PERSONAL AND NONAUTHORITATIVE OPINION. Thank you and have a pleasant day.

Yes, that’s it, get red-in-the-face and throw a temper tantrum

Actually, I’m legally a Catholic. Since I’ve received Confirmation I guess that would technically render me able to have a say, but then again, what ‘say’? Such policies are set by the hierarchy, and not us.

I can disagree and point out to inconsistencies or reasoning that’s not sound if I wish to, don’t get mad that you are unable to string a sentence together properly without having “because the church says so” implicitly written all over it.

Yes, have a good day too, though I suspect your day has been ruined already, lol.

 

[Lycorth]

But the bottom line remains that there still isn’t anything in scripture that says that you can’t be married outside, or that you have to get the church’s permission to be married outside.

There isn’t anything in Scripture that says we must base our religion and practice entirely on Scripture.

 

[Suspicious_Mind]

Have you looked into what the Bible says about what is the authority for a Christian? Hint: It’s not the Bible itself. It is the Church --the pillar and foundation of truth.

For obvious reasons…if the Bible claimed itself to be authoritative, God’s word be committing the fallacy of circular reasoning, so yes, there’s a good reason why the Bible itself doesn’t declare it to be authoritative, because it would be self-defeating.

One has to read the Bible, and as you ranted on earlier about being guided by the Holy Spirit, pray that the Spirit guides you.

 

[Tantum_ergo]

Dear non Catholics:

We will not tell you what you can or cannot do. If your church wants you to tithe, go right ahead. If your church lets you marry parachuting from a plane, go ahead. If your church allows you to do holy rolling, handle snakes, make altar calls, etc, go ahead. We wouldn’t dream of telling YOUR CHURCH that it doesn’t have the authority to make decisions for its members.

In return, kindly extend the SAME COURTESY TO US. You don’t agree with our teaching, fine, but kindly don’t tell us it isn’t ‘Biblical’ according to YOU. It is not ‘anti-Biblical’ and it is a teaching we believe is from the HOLY SPIRIT.

According to Scripture, we are supposed to listen to the Spirit.

So you say the Spirit doesn’t say the same to you? Well golly gee whiz, fellahs and gals, the Spirit tells one Protestant group the Eucharist is literal (Lutherans) and another it’s symbolic (Baptists). I don’t notice Lutherans telling Baptists that they are UNSCRIPTURAL.

So why, when you allow your fellow Protestants unlimited latitude, do you jump on CATHOLICS? It is, forgive me, rather rude and certainly not Christian.

 

[Suspicious_Mind]

Dear non Catholics:

We will not tell you what you can or cannot do. If your church wants you to tithe, go right ahead. If your church lets you marry parachuting from a plane, go ahead. If your church allows you to do holy rolling, handle snakes, make altar calls, etc, go ahead. We wouldn’t dream of telling YOUR CHURCH that it doesn’t have the authority to make decisions for its members.

In return, kindly extend the SAME COURTESY TO US. You don’t agree with our teaching, fine, but kindly don’t tell us it isn’t ‘Biblical’ according to YOU. It is not ‘anti-Biblical’ and it is a teaching we believe is from the HOLY SPIRIT.

According to Scripture, we are supposed to listen to the Spirit.

So you say the Spirit doesn’t say the same to you? Well golly gee whiz, fellahs and gals, the Spirit tells one Protestant group the Eucharist is literal (Lutherans) and another it’s symbolic (Baptists). I don’t notice Lutherans telling Baptists that they are UNSCRIPTURAL.

So why, when you allow your fellow Protestants unlimited latitude, do you jump on CATHOLICS? It is, forgive me, rather rude and certainly not Christian.

Golly gee whiz is right

Is it that time of the month already?

 

[Tantum_ergo]

Really? This is fascinating, in a thread about whether it should be indoors or outdoors, people seem to be implying it should be indoors, which means they are referencing a building, and some of them are getting pretty personal about it too, hint hint. It’s no strawman, it’s continuously referenced and implied

Do you know what a strawman argument is?

I certainly do. You have exhibited one despite your attempt to deny it.

An authority some people may or may not agree with, that’s not the issue here. The whole point is, there’s nothing wrong with having marriage ceremonies outdoors, and I believe some Catholics have already echoed that sentiment, so I don’t know what you’re flagellating at right now.

Yes, that’s it, get red-in-the-face and throw a temper tantrum How very rude of you to ‘assume’ what I am doing. You are not a mind-reader by any means as I am neither red-faced nor in a temper. Forgive this ‘older woman’ her gaffe of ‘all caps’ (as I of the generation where an emphasis in the ‘written media’ was done through ‘capitalization’. I will strive to make my ‘emphasis’ with bold lest certain people take things ‘incorrectly.’)

Actually, I’m legally a Catholic. Since I’ve received Confirmation I guess that would technically render me able to have a say, but then again, what ‘say’? Such policies are set by the hierarchy, and not us. Too bad, I don’t think you ever understood your faith.

I can disagree and point out to inconsistencies or reasoning that’s not sound if I wish to, don’t get mad that you are unable to string a sentence together properly without having “because the church says so” implicitly written all over it. I’m not mad. Your personal opinions and remarks are simply your opinions and remarks. Your ‘say so’ doesn’t make something so.
’
Yes, have a good day too, though I suspect your day has been ruined already, lol.

my dear sir, don’t flatter yourself. You don’t have that kind of power.