In doing so, CFI hopes to achieve the same kind of victories they’ve seen in Oregon (legislatively), Illinois (via lawsuit), and Indiana (also via lawsuit). Michigan now also allows Secular Celebrants to officiate weddings.
But Texas has been resistant to calls for change.
The relevant part of the state’s law can be found in Section 2.202:
(a) The following persons are authorized to conduct a marriage ceremony:
(1) a licensed or ordained Christian minister or priest;
(2) a Jewish rabbi;
(3) a person who is an officer of a religious organization and who is authorized by the organization to conduct a marriage ceremony; and
(4) a current, former, or retired federal judge or state judge.
…
(c) Except as provided by Subsection (d), a person commits an offense if the person knowingly conducts a marriage ceremony without authorization under this section. An offense under this subsection is a Class A misdemeanor.
In short, unless you want a judge to marry you, your only options are a priest, rabbi, other religious leader . . .
Continue reading @ Friendly Atheist.
No comments