In a unanimous ruling, the Chicago-based 7th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals said couples in Indiana can be married by their own “secular celebrants,” Religion News Service reported July 14. An 1850s law required marriages to be conducted by religious clergy or government officials.
Plaintiff Reba Boyd Wooden, a certified secular celebrant (and FFRF Life Member), said, “Whether a person is atheist, agnostic, humanist or simply doesn’t want a religious wedding, this decision means they can now have these wonderful occasions solemnized by a celebrant who shares their life-stance.”
Judge Frank Easterbrook said the law discriminates against humanists and members of faith groups without a deity such as Buddhists, Jains, Shintos and Taoists.
