Couples opt to have humanist weddings rather than Christian

Figures show non-religious ceremonies on the rise in Scotland

Scotland made humanist ceremonies legal 15 years ago on human rights grounds but they are not legally recognised in England and Wales.

Humanist marriages made up 23% of all weddings, while Christian marriages accounted for 22%, according to National Records of Scotland (NRS) data.

There were 5,879 humanist marriages, compared with 5,812 Christian marriages and 1,409 marriages of other religions.

There were also 12,635 civil ceremonies conducted by registrars in 2019.

The Humanist Society Scotland has said it is the first time that non-religious ceremonies have overtook traditional Christian ones in terms of numbers.

Scotland now categorises nonreligious ceremonies conducted by humanist celebrants as having the same “belief” status under the marriage law as kirk ministers or priests. Humanists include atheists and agnostics, and those who say they are spiritual but who dislike organised religion.

The NRS believes a drop in the number of parents raising their children with religion is the biggest factor for the rise in humanist weddings.

Fraser Sutherland, Humanist Society Scotland chief executive, said: “These new official statistics show again how humanist ceremonies have become a mainstay of Scottish public life.

“This is a reflection of the trend we have seen in Scotland where – particularly since the mid 20th Century – each generation has become less religiously observant than their parents.

“There are a huge variety of reasons behind this but improved scientific literacy in schools and a reduction in parents bringing children up in a faith are two major factors.

“Indeed I would say the parenting one is the biggest factor as the majority, though not all, of people begin to form their religious beliefs in childhood.”

A spokesman for the Church of Scotland said: “Church of Scotland weddings are deeply personal and as unique as the couples being married.

“We would encourage anyone considering marriage to visit their local church and speak with someone about the many options available to them to mark their very special day.”

These new official statistics show again how humanist ceremonies have become a mainstay of Scottish public life. FRASER SUTHERLAND