Wedding Darren 2008

Our God Speaks to us – communication, love, shared suffering and joy.

Spoke to Adam and Eve. Not to animals, even man is not recorded speaking to animals.

Communication broken – undermines are relationships. Undermines our relationship with God.

Jesus….

From Wikepedia

[edit] Religion

According to legend, Kortar, the "first" Klingon, and his mate were created in a place called QI'tu'. The two destroyed the gods who made them and turned the heavens into ashes. This event is recounted in marriage ceremonies.

Klingon Religion

Klingons who follow the Way of the Warrior, the belief system developed by Kahless the Unforgettable, value honor above all else. Those who die with purpose and honor are said to join Kahless, who had been the first Klingon emperor, and a messianic figure in the Way of the Warrior, in the Black Fleet in Sto-Vo-Kor, a paradise where battle and feasting can eternally be shared and won.

The honored dead are not mourned, but celebrated. This consists of opening the eyes of a dead warrior and all fellow Klingons present roar to chase away evil spirits called jat'lyn, and to tell the warriors in Sto-Vo-Kor that the warrior is joining them. The body of the dead warrior is viewed mainly as an empty shell to be disposed of; particularly well-respected warriors have their companions accompany the body for interment or disposal, "just" to keep away predators (though a privately held act of respect for the departed). Warriors who may have a question about whether they will be worthy to enter Sto-Vo-Kor, such as not having died in glorious battle, may have a dangerous quest held in their name by their surviving mate and his or her companions. Worf went on one such quest out of concern that Jadzia Dax would not enter Sto-Vo-Kor because she had been killed by a possessed Gul Dukat. If they win their stated deed or battle, they win honor for their late warrior and entry to paradise.

Klingon beliefs were recorded in a series of scrolls collectively referred to as the Paq'batlh, or Book of Honor. One prophecy, possibly taken from this book, was of the Kuvah'magh, a religious figure predicted to appear at some future time. Miral Paris, daughter of Tom Paris and B'Elanna Torres, was thought by some expatriate Klingons in the Delta Quadrant to be this new spiritual leader.

[edit] Creation myth

In Klingon religion, the original gods who created the first Klingons were slain by their own creations, because they were "more trouble than they were worth" ("Homefront"). A version of this creation myth is told during the traditional Klingon wedding ceremony: ("You Are Cordially Invited...")

"With fire and steel did the gods forge the Klingon heart. So fiercely did it beat, so loud was the sound, that the gods cried out, 'On this day we have brought forth the strongest heart in all the heavens. None can stand before it without trembling at its strength.' But then the Klingon heart weakened, its steady rhythm faltered and the gods said, 'Why do you weaken so? We have made you the strongest in all of creation.'

And the heart said... 'I am alone.'

And the gods knew that they had erred. So they went back to their forge and brought forth another heart.

But the second heart beat stronger than the first, and the first was jealous of its power. Fortunately, the second heart was tempered by wisdom.

'If we join together, no force can stop us.'

And when the two hearts began to beat together, they filled the heavens with a terrible sound. For the first time, the gods knew fear. They tried to flee, but it was too late. The Klingon hearts destroyed the gods who created them and turned the heavens to ashes. To this very day, no one can oppose the beating of two Klingon hearts."

The only remaining otherworldly creature was Fek'lhr (veqlargh), the guardian of Gre'thor (ghe'tor). The first Klingon, Kortar, was condemned to ferry dishonored warriors to Gre'thor on the Barge of the Dead for the offense of killing the gods. ("Barge of the Dead")

Klingon Customs Web Site

The Wedding is at the home of the home of the Bride's father.  The Groom, wears a Military Uniform, or a brown robe if not in the Military, and the Bride wears a Bridal dress.  There is no need for a priest to conduct it.  A selection and commitment to the mate.  One mate says the words "jIH dok" (my blood) in which the other replies "maj dok" (our blood).  At this point the marriage vows are sealed.  To complete the ceremony, both the husband and wife say "Tlinghan jIH" during the ceremony.  It translates as "I am a Klingon"