Most civil unions outside traditional faiths

Nearly half of the ceremonies in Hawaii have been performed by Universal Life Church officiants

By Pat Gee

POSTED: 01:30 a.m. HST, Feb 25, 2012

~~<p>Since civil unions became legal in Hawaii on Jan. 1, at least two-thirds of the 153 couples who have been joined in civil unions have opted for ceremonies outside the religious mainstream, choosing instead nondenominational officiants or judges, state data show.</p>
<p>Nearly half of the ceremonies have been performed by members of organizations that share the name Universal Life Church, online entities that ordain people to perform weddings and other events.</p>
~~

Since civil unions became legal in Hawaii on Jan. 1, at least two-thirds of the 153 couples who have been joined in civil unions have opted for ceremonies outside the religious mainstream, choosing instead nondenominational officiants or judges, state data show.

Nearly half of the ceremonies have been performed by members of organizations that share the name Universal Life Church, online entities that ordain people to perform weddings and other events. Login for more...