View source for Atheist weddings

== Atheist weddings in the Western World ==

Due to the Christianization of the [[Western World]], in the West  [[Atheism|atheist]] weddings are generally similar to Christian weddings minus the religious elements. 

Due to the limited amount of atheist music about love and marriage (see: [[Atheist music]] and [[Atheism and romance]] and [[Atheism and love]]), atheist weddings feature nonreligious songs, but not atheist wedding songs.

=== Atheist weddings in churches ===

''See also:'' [[Atheism and architecture]]

According to an international study done by William Bainbridge, atheism is common among people whose interpersonal social obligations are weak and is also connected to lower fertility rates in advanced industrial nations (See also: [[Atheism and loneliness]] and [[Atheism and fertility rates]]).<ref> Bainbridge, William (2005). "[http://www.religjournal.com/pdf/ijrr01002.pdf Atheism]" (PDF). Interdisciplinary Journal of Research on Religion. 1 (Article 2): 1–26.</ref> As a result, atheists do not have a significant tradition of constructing aesthetically pleasing buildings to gather in (see: [[Atheism and architecture]]). 

The website Learning Religions indicates about atheist weddings: "Some of these are religious in appearance or name, but not really in act. What this means is that the wedding itself may take place in a church and may contain many of the familiar rituals which have a religious connotation for some."<ref>[https://www.learnreligions.com/non-religious-wedding-options-for-atheists-248555 Non-Religious Wedding Options For Atheists]</ref>

=== Many Western atheists women wear white wedding gowns despite many of them engaging in sexual relationships before marriage ===

''See also:'' [[Atheism and morality]] and [[Atheism and sexual immorality articles]]
[[File:Bride-and-groom.jpg|thumbnail|200px|right|Brides wearing white bridal gowns is a symbol of sexual purity before marriage. ]]
Brides wearing white wedding gowns is a symbol of sexual purity before marriage.

The [[Barna Group]] found that atheists and [[agnostics]] in America were more likely, than [[theist]]s in America, to look upon the following behaviors as morally acceptable:  illegal drug use; excessive drinking; sexual relationships outside of marriage; [[abortion]]; cohabitating with someone of opposite sex outside of marriage; obscene language; gambling; [[pornography]] and obscene sexual behavior; and engaging in [[homosexuality]]/bisexuality.<ref>[https://www.barna.org/component/content/article/5-barna-update/45-barna-update-sp-657/58-practical-outcomes-replace-biblical-principles-as-the-moral-standard#.VumtJuYvK1s Practical outcomes replace biblical principles as the moral standard], Barna Group</ref> See also: [[Atheism and sexual immorality articles]]

The [https://www.google.com/search?q=atheist+weddings&rlz=1C1CHBF_enUS771US771&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjOwYj48rbmAhXikOAKHaBsCSYQ_AUoAXoECA0QAw Google image search for the term atheist weddings] shows a very large percentage of atheist women wearing white wedding gowns despite the fact that many atheist women have sexual relationships before marriage.