Now humanist weddings are most popular

THE Kirk is no longer the country’s biggest wedding provider, as more and more people opt for non-religious ceremonies.

More humanist weddings took place than any other type of ceremony in 2015, ten years after they were made legal.

A total of 4,290 weddings were conducted by humanists – knocking the Church of Scotland off the top spot.

According to the figures, compiled by the National Records of Scotland, the Kirk conducted 4,052 ceremonies. Meanwhile, there were 1,483 weddings conducted by the Roman Catholic Church.

Humanism emphasises the value of human beings, individually and collectively, and its followers say they champion critical thinking over acceptance of dogma.

Humanists are usually atheist, but can be agnostic.

The Humanist Society Scotland (HSS) was responsible for conducting three quarters of the humanist marriages last year.

In 2005, it secured a change in policy which allowed Scotland to become one of the first countries in the world to allow humanist wed- dings. Such ceremonies do not involve set vows as each wedding is tailored around the couple, who may make up their own vows and pick poems and readings.

The number of Church of Scotland marriages has been steadily decreasing over the past decade. In 2005, there were 8,686 Kirk weddings.

According to the Scottish Attitudes Survey, 52 per cent of people in Scotland say they do not consider themselves to be religious, compared with 40 per cent in 1999.

The Church of Scotland suffered the biggest decline, with the percentage of Scots who identify with the Kirk dropping from 35 per cent to 20 per cent in the same period.

HSS chief executive Gordon Macrae said: ‘The move towards humanist celebrations and away from religious ceremonies mirrors the changed demographics of Scotland in 2015.’

The Kirk pointed out that it still tops the table when it comes to ceremonies conducted by religious and beliefs-based celebrants.

The Rev Norman Smith, convener of the Kirk’s mission and discipleship council, said: ‘When couples stand in church where generations have stood before pledging their love to one another, it is a reminder that human love endures.

‘The Church of Scotland has always stood with the people of Scotland and helped them take this step together.’

Since 2005, HSS has carried out more than 20,000 weddings. Other humanist organisations – Independent Humanist Ceremonies and Humanist Fellowship in Scotland – have also seen a boom in demand.

‘Mirrors changed demographics’