A UNIVERSITY of Exeter study has found that non-Christian couples find it easier to circumvent the prohibition on religious content in civil weddings because presiding officials often fail to recognise the words they are asked to read, the Telegraph reports.
Apparently, phrases from the Book of Common Prayer such as ‘To have and to hold/ for better, for worse’ are routinely weeded out, whereas nearly all registrars would permit the lines ‘I give you this ring as a symbol of unity/ in which our lives are now joined in one unbroken circle’ which is taken from Hindu liturgy.
One can understand the latter reading gaining traction in an age when we increasingly feel that we are going round in circles – especially regarding the supposed Brexit negotiations – but surely ‘having and holding’ would be more appropriate, useful and indeed patriotic?
