Quebec says no to doughnut shop marriage by Universal Life Church minister.
August 24, 2001 1:04 AM   Subscribe

Quebec says no to doughnut shop marriage by Universal Life Church minister. I can't tell if this is a case of too much religion in government or too little, considering the ULF isn't recognized as a religion.
posted by skallas (20 comments total)

This post was deleted for the following reason: Poster's Request -- frimble



 
Um... Perhaps I'm blind, but... where is Quebec involved at all in this?
posted by Jairus at 1:13 AM on August 24, 2001


try telling that to ULF
posted by mb01 at 1:31 AM on August 24, 2001


That Tim Hortons is just down the street from my apartment. Here are the original articles from the local paper: With this doughnut, I thee wed; Doughnut-shop nuptials full of legal holes. I have no idea why this was picked up by Canadian Press.
posted by todd at 4:19 AM on August 24, 2001


Honey-glazed nuptials official
posted by todd at 6:24 AM on August 24, 2001


You, too, can be ordained in the Universal Life Church. It's free, quick, and you don't even have to subscribe to any particular theology. You can perform weddings, funerals, and forgive sins (which is sweet)--but cannot perform circumcisions. I did it.
posted by MrMoonPie at 6:59 AM on August 24, 2001


Anyone can forgive sins, Moonpie. At least, anyone who believes in sin.

I'm a minister as well, and have performed two atheist weddings to date (I'm one for two, forever-wise). As for, "I don't know if a doughnut outlet qualifies as a place of worship," they've obviously never been to a Shipley's.
posted by chino at 7:30 AM on August 24, 2001


"Bode said that won't work after the fact, adding that the religious procedure has to be announced and recognized by a couple's place of worship."

so, where does that leave aetheists, or anyone who doesn't have a 'place of worship'?

i, too, am a ULF minister - had the great honor of marrying some long time friends last month. i'm thinking of becoming a Doctor of Metaphysics; seems like such a bargain at $25, and so convenient at their online store (no tests required!)...

hmm, wonder how many of us are here on mefi?
posted by modge at 8:42 AM on August 24, 2001


Another ULC minister speaking here! Though I haven't taken advantage of the office, sadly. C'mon, modge, Doctor of Metaphysics? You can do better than that! This is a church where they're cool with you being an ARCHBISHOP! For a fee.

I'll bet if I sent them $100 and a request letter, they'd let me be Bonerific Druid of Jesusology. I heart the ULC.
posted by Skot at 8:59 AM on August 24, 2001


ULC is based here in lovely modesto, CA, one beer-command&conquer night back in '97 my whole office signed up. my favorite title was The Holy Reverend Webmaster
posted by th3ph17 at 9:13 AM on August 24, 2001


whoops, that should have been ULC of course.

i'm guessing BDoF would not be a problem, Skot. Archbishop Modge has a nice ring to it, although Universal Philosopher of Absolute Reality is pretty sweet too. and i've always wanted to be Dervish of something.

all this and FREE PARKING too!
posted by modge at 9:22 AM on August 24, 2001


yes, ULC rocks. I persuaded my best friend to sign up so she could sign the paperwork when I got married. ('cause a judge was gonna cost $25)

it would've been funny to "publish the banns" on that one:

{epersonae} & {mr. epersonae} will be married in the back room of their house on {date}. ceremony to be performed by {best friend}. chocolate bar to follow.

we got so many ads from ministers ("get married in your backyard!" "get married while skydiving!") that I keep joking with my friend that she should set up a business.

(I will always regret her not signing the form as a "first level cleric." she & mr. epersonae were both in favor - I was feeling paranoid.)
posted by epersonae at 9:35 AM on August 24, 2001


Yet another ULC Minister since `96
posted by tj at 9:38 AM on August 24, 2001


I like Canada a whole bunch but it's stuff like that, that keeps me in the US (not a perfect place, but where is?)

They should come down to the US ... in Washington state anyone you recognise as a "religious authority" papered or not (the US Govt can't approve or dissapprove a religion) can marry you. My wife and I presided over a hanfasting of two friends a few years back (with marriage paperwork)
Heck, down here all you need is the paperwork signed by you, your spouse, and a witness. then get it notarized and you are good to go.
posted by Dillenger69 at 9:47 AM on August 24, 2001


I signed up in '99.

Haven't performed any ceremonies yet, but I've been known to absolve sins for my friends.
posted by Dirjy at 9:49 AM on August 24, 2001


altho in WA state, there's also a waiting period, which fascinated & baffled me.

(I didn't know that it was anyone you recognize as a religious authority! hmmm...)
posted by epersonae at 10:04 AM on August 24, 2001


"Bode said that won't work after the fact, adding that the religious procedure has to be announced and recognized by a couple's place of worship."

so, where does that leave aetheists, or anyone who doesn't have a 'place of worship'?


Not doing "the religious procedure", I'd guess. Perhaps an irreligious procedure? Or should we stick with just being secular?
posted by dwivian at 10:48 AM on August 24, 2001


Someone who didn't understand when I told them I was an ordained minister at a bar (after "absolving" a friend because he bought me a drink) thought I was trying to start a cult, and asked if I thought I could perform miracles (she wasn't very bright).

I said I only really had one, and it was turning money into booze, I'm damn good at it.
posted by tj at 10:49 AM on August 24, 2001


I'm a minister, too, though I haven't married anyone yet. One pair of friends thought about it, but then the groom chickened out. He didn't want to offend his very Catholic and very Italian grandmother. Too bad; I would have done them right.

Been thinking about becoming a Justice O' the Peace, too, just to make it extra legal. A friend did it in San Francisco County; took $50 and 15 minutes of turning in paperwork at the country recorder's office. Anyone know how to become a JotP in Los Angeles County?
posted by RakDaddy at 11:01 AM on August 24, 2001


I'm a minister as well; have been since '97, I guess. Was oging to marry two friends of mine, but, as with RakDaddy, they didn't want to offend some very Christian rellies. So instead, I'm going to be the high priest at their hand fasting. =)
posted by jammer at 11:21 AM on August 24, 2001


Hey man! In Canada, Tim Horton's is a religion!
posted by lairdj at 4:09 PM on August 24, 2001


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