You are not allowed any religious content in a civil ceremony. I can't believe this is news.

When I got married last year that requirement was made clear in every leaflet, book, magazine I read, in the brochures provided by the register office, in the interview and by every venue manager we met.

I agree its frustrating that you can't have what you want. In undertsand why the rules are there but don't necesarrilly agree with them but I don't understand how this couple couldn't have known before hand?

Political Correctness gone mad. What's to be banned next?

people need to remember that this is england and that england is in the majority a christian country. politically correctness gone bananas

But Angels isn't necessarily religious; it's contemplative towards angels rather than confirming their existence. It's certainly not necessarily Christian. An angel is a spiritual being which assists and serves God or the gods in many religious traditions.

As for the references to Heaven - presumably that's the line "I look above and I know I'll always be blessed with love".

I fail to see how this is more religious than the Shania Twain lyric "And you're the answer to my prayers from up above"!!

What is the problem in this country,why do we have to watch the p and q's,yet everyone else can carry on. I am sorry, but if people don't like it they should go back to there own country.

Since when does the celebration of beliefs by the majority constitute an offence to minorities? Instead of apologising for our beliefs (I am not a Christian, by the way), why can we not all express ourselves? Political correctness is right in it's spirit but misses the mark in it's application.

Babs. Please learn to spell and write sentences properly. Yes you are a british white (I assume female). It is not go back to there country. You should have said, 'go back to their country.'

Rightly said about going back to their country but it is sad that you think of it like this. I hope you saw the recent documentary by the BBC about British expats living/moving into spain. Well the white brits dominate the area, they open up their own bars, chippies, clubs etc and won't mingle or even talk to the local (native spanish people). Maybe white british people should practice what they preach? When in Rome...... We asians get this constantly reminded and drilled into us, but now it seems that it is ok if you are white. Well you can't have your cake and eat it. I am a 2nd generation british asian male, born and bred in Oldham. England, Oldham is my home, my country. I write better English than a 100% white native of England, I can spell properly, the only thing is my skin colour is tan.

My question is where do I go? If people like you banish us asian brits, what's going to happen to us? Our home is England and our forefathers countries will not accept us, as we are foreigners to them.

I don't care if anyone plays the national anthem or any religious music, and I don't think any of the asian/ethnic people are that bothered. Why is the registry office using ethnics as a blame rather than admitting the law is an ass.

Any problems, the ethnics get the blame.

Babs widen your horizon, not all ethnic people are your stereotypical type, as I am sure it is the same of my thoughts about the white majority - not all white people are bad at spelling and writing.

Its not political correctness at all. The point is supposed to be that if you are Christian you can have a religious ceremony in church.
Civil ceremonies are not allowed any religious content, no mention of God, lord, soul, no hymns. no readings with any religious words.
Be grateful that if CoE get any choice, other religions have to have the civil ceremony as well as the religious because otherwise its not a legal marriage.
Stop whinging

I would personally have told them in the face to stuff it and rearranged the wedding for elsewhere, political correctness gone mad DEFINATELY!

Just a note in relation to the comment from Kim in Burnage if we had been told that we could have have anything religious we certainly would not have picked Angels by Robbie Williams. We were not told we booked the venue or at any thereafter until the day of the wedding. Just because you were told all along the way doesn't mean that all venues are the same. In fact some friends of mine got married in a civil ceremony last year and DID have the song as the bride walked in! The reason that we have highlighted this point in our local paper is so that people do not get caught out like this in the future!

HELLO!!! Church of England!! Or does that not exist these days as England "tries" to be too PC. It makes your blood boil. If they wanted Angels at their wedding, then it was their ceremony and their guests who would be listening to it .. NO-ONE else.....who are they going to upset? Come on speak up for Christianity for ONCE! That is supposed to be the religion of the country isn't it?

Tameside Council should be ask to specify which religion is represented by "Angels" and which ethnic minority would be offended by it. Did the staff at the registrars office enquire if any ethnic minorities were invited to the wedding? I doubt it. In any event there is nothing in the Marriage Act which prohibits anything which might offend an ethnic minority. If there was a judicial review of Tameside's decision I think they would be shown to be utter fools. This is just another example of town hall officials behaving like little dictators. Their actions are likely to provoke antagonism towards ethnic minorities rather than to promote good relations with them. Anyone with an ounce of common sense must know that "Angels" should have been played at this wedding. Shame on you Tameside!

I think Robbie should read this poor couples' problem and jumpe on his private plane from L.A. and sing his song " Angels" as loud as his lungs would let him!

I admit I did do a lot of planning and research when arranging my wedding, but I always knew that there could be no religious content, not just christian, but any. And i'm still suprised you weren't told at all, maybe they just assumed everyone knew - I know I did.

The final decision is up to the individual registrar, some will allow the word soul, others won't.

The comment the council made about offending ethnic minorities is incorrect and is leading to misunderstandings in this discussion.

The song wasn't allowed because the words are associated with one or more religious beliefs.

The fact is the laws have not caught up with the relatively modern trend for more ellaborate civil ceremonies.

That's ridiculous! They will know their guests better than a church or registery staff, and as long as it's okay with the bridal party & their guests...no one else's opinion should matter or be invoved. If I ws the bride I would check with all invovled in wedding that may have some reservations, but then that individual does not have to attend the wedding or work at the wedding if that's an issue.

of course they should, this is ridiculous.