Britney Spears is calling out the Catholic Church for allegedly refusing to host her wedding to Sam Asghari. In a post on Instagram that’s since been deleted, Spears posted an image of St. Monica Catholic Church with a caption alleging the church turned her away.
"This is where I originally wanted to get married during COVID. I wanted to go every Sunday,” the Instagram caption read. “Then 2 years later when I wanted to get married there they said I had to be catholic and go through TEST!!! Isn't church supposed to be open to all???"
A viral tweet offered a humorous take on the Instagram post.
Turned away by organized religion, Britney opted to tie the knot in a ceremony hosted at her house. When it came to finding an officiant, Spears followed in the footsteps of so many other couples by enlisting the help of a minister ordained online.
Oops… She Did It Again
It was reportedly a star-studded event: Madonna, Selena Gomez, Drew Barrymore, Donatella Versace, Paris Hilton, and more, were all in attendance.
And it was all made possible by Rev. Clint Hufft, who helped the couple tie the knot as officiant.
An officiant to the stars with numerous television appearances, Rev. Hufft was “ordained by the Universal Life Church,” according to a Judy’s Book review. A 2019 wedding announcement in the New York Times also notes his ordination via the ULC.
"I began officiating wedding ceremonies in 1995 and it’s still the best job I could ever wish for,” he says.
https://twitter.com/britneyspears/status/1535429257614217219
Church Should Be Open to All
Britney’s wedding venue frustrations resonated with many, who shared their own stories of being turned away from traditional churches – whether that be due to sexuality, faith, or divorce status.
Perhaps that’s why Britney Spears went with an officiant ordained online when looking for a representative from a church that truly is “open to all.”
With 20 million ministers and counting, the Universal Life Church welcomes individuals of any and all faiths to join its ranks. Empowered by their legal ordination, many ULC ministers officiate weddings for friends and family, including those turned away by “traditional” churches.
Perhaps that’s why Britney’s Instagram message received such a powerful reaction when she asked, “isn't church supposed to be open to all???"
We’re right there with you, Britney!
37 comments
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Sarita Madala
Hi Britney Congratulations on your wedding I agree church is open for everybody And iam also a ordained minister by ULC and iam glad a ULC ordained Minister officiated your married And Britney have a blessed marriage And children Yours sincerely Rev Sarita madala
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Douglas Robert Spindler
@Sarita Madala You sure about the children thing? The courts took her children away from her. Do you really think she'll be a good mom if she has more?
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Melissa Woods
Yes I believe it church is for all no matter where you come from your background we should all gather together especially in this time when we really need each other congratulations Brittany bless you and your husband on this wonderful day you're in my prayers God bless
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Douglas Robert Spindler
@Melissa Woods That might be what you believe, and then their is the real world and what happens. Churches, especially Catholics are notorious for turning people away as are many other churches. This is just one more reason why so many young people are becoming religious and not attending church. They view organized religion as being mean and hurtful.
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Rev Wayne Steven
Well the Catholic Church as far from what Jesus intended it to be all the way around so don't be disappointed just be wise there are other places where you can be married in the name of Jesus or Christianity without all the hassle. Thus keep in mind God loves us all
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Lionheart
Which mythical god are you referring to? Just asking for a Pagan friend of mine.
🦁❤️
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Douglas Robert Spindler
She damaged goods in the eyes of the Catholic church. Now if she had been giving lots of money to the Catholic church over the years and sung some religious songs the church would have let her get married in the church. The church is using her as a message, "this is what happens if you don't give to the the church".
Just another example why young people don't want to be Christian or have anything to do with the Christian religion. People are not nice, they are mean.
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Marius Gabriel Burja
I think they accept LGBTQIA's now. Yet she's damaged goods? 🤓
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Michael Hall
Congratulations, Brittany and Sam! We're glad ULC came through for you when the Catholic Church refused to do so. That's our strength and our purpose. I've performed a number of weddings and they were all memorable, from super-private ceremonies to full banquet blowouts, from living rooms to established church buildings.
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Reverend Kurt
The main stream churches are loosing adherents in droves with their antiquated bureaucratic rules and attitudes. Is it any wonder that churches like the ULC reap in the dissidents and the disenfranchised? I postulate that one day, not so far away, the U.L.C will rate higher than the mainstream religions.
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Joe Smith
@Revetend Kurt Here’s hoping that people not only continue turning away from organized religions that have caused a lot of harm and pain, but also that they eventually realize god/religion should simply be about caring for each other. Anything else is just scare tactics.
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White Owl
For the most part,everyone here missed the point and simply ran with their own agendas.
The Catholic Church said she must be a member and takes a test, this is how they do their doctrine. (BTW, it's not a test but actually classes to help prepare the couple for marriage both from civil as well as a Catholic belief)
Over and over in these conversations here, allegedly open-minded people, infer that all religions should be "open" and universal thus implying they should all preach and practice the same thing. If that was true there would be no Universal Life Church and we all wouldn't be here. It is in fact that diversity and freedom of being able to practice your beliefs that is what ULC is about, no matter how different from anyone else's beliefs.
It is interesting how most conversations out here in these ULC forums are religion bashing instead of conversations of comparison and contrast of ones beliefs as they relate to an others in these various situations.
And as all of us are supposed to be ordained ministers or the ULC, here to practice our own varied religions, it amazes me how many apparent atheist are here always referring to mythical and non existing gods that everyone is talking about. How can you be a religious minister with out a belief in a god? (Ref. Oxford dictionary, religion - the belief in and worship of a superhuman controlling power, especially a personal God or gods)
For those who are truly ministers of their religion I put to you this...
Catholics only perform marriages for Catholics, Islamic faiths do the same for their people, Jewish people do the same for their people,
and many more examples exist.
While some faiths do openly perform open marriages between people of different faiths many don't.
Should Catholics, Christians, Muslims and Jews be expected to perform a marriage for Wiccans, Pagans and even Satanist all of whom have far different religious beliefs than theirs, some even diametrically opposed?
Are there people whom you would not want to perform marriages for within the beliefs of your faith? Would you accept and do so for someone who came to your ceremonies and disrespected and denied your beliefs and practices?
The point is there are many beliefs and they are widely varied in nature, many even in opposition to others. Respect them as you want others to respect your beliefs. Stop attacking people who believe differently. If you disagree with their belief then educate not insult. Explain to us in these forums why you believe in your faith and why you believe we should as well. But do it without insulting, degrading, attacking instead do it with logic, reason, faith; you'll win more people to your cause and be respected more than hated.
Look at the bottom of this page and remember why we are all supposed to be here at the ULC, The Monastery.org logo says it all.
As for Brittany if she wanted a Catholic wedding she should have become Catholic and agreed to all their rules and doctrines; otherwise if she just wanted a fancy church wedding there are over 45,000 other Christian denominations out there, many with fancy cathedrals that would have gladly accommodated her wishes.
Peace be with you all and may the God/gods bless us all.
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Joe Stutler
Catholics were too busy facilitating kiddie-rape.
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Dr. Zerpersande, NSC
This is why UCLM exists. Some religions only marry its members. Stupid? Yeah, beyond such, but it’s a church.
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Colleen McAllister
No, most churches do not serve those of other beliefs. They are a private group of people bound together by a specific set of beliefs. Christ said that the way to Him was narrow. Christianity is welcome to all but not all embrace Christianity. Brittany's choice seems rather shallow.
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Reverend Kurt
Brittany was turned away from the catholic church. From the way I have read the discussion post, the pastor preforming the marriage was indeed a ULC ordained Christian minister. Are you aware that in Christianity there are a multitude of different churches? Catholicism is not the alpha and omega of Christianity.
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Richard Darwin Richards
and she seems very confused with no research done.
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James M Slack
Brittany and Sam First congratulations on your wedding. I’m also a ULC Minister and have preformed a wedding. I also know and respect the Catholic Church has its policy’s. I do feel they have shot themselves in the foot. They have now chased two individuals from their church. I’m sure another church will welcome them with open arms. I believe and feel Our Heavenly Father would have welcomed them. Thanks to a ULC member the two individuals were married. Sincerely Minister James M Slack
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Nicholas J Page
I thought the Church didn't turn any one away regardless.
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Tracy
Catholic's believes that marriage is forever and you should be ashamed if you divorce they are really old school about a lot of things I'm happy for you guys and congrats everyone deserves happiness
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Cyril R. VanKeirsbelk
This is her fault, she didn't offer enough money for the use of the chapel. The Catholic Church has always been happy to find away around their rules when enough money is on the table.
Call the Bishop, he will make it happen for the right donation.
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Terry G Edwards
And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. Matthew 16:18 KJV
One of Jesus's greatest sermons was given to thousands on the side of a mountain. The church is not of brick and mortar and steel and wood. The church is about the people. When Jesus came all people were sinners. When he sent the disciples out into the world it was filled with unbelievers. They had to start building the church from scratch. Even the Catholic church never existed at one point in time, it had to start from a group of non-believers. Seems we are not so different from each other as we would like to believe.
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Ronald Jay Schultz
Brittany, Brittainy!! Why didn't you look me up to perform my first wedding as a minister of the ULC? I would have gladly done it for free! Hopefully, there won't be a next time, but...
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Richard Darwin Richards
What don't these people understand? Holy matrimony is a one time commitment! Go to a justice of the peace thereafter.
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Dr. Zerpersande, NSC
A one-time commitment? So xtians, especially xtian pastors, don’t divorce? Or do they just go to hell when they do?
Religious people say the darndest things.
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Richard Darwin Richards
I don't care what they do but don't go to holy matrimony for number two, use a justice of the peace.
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Lionheart
Bless her heart, but not to worry, it’s doubtful her marriage will last anyway. Or, am I being too much of a realist 🤭
Let’s hope it last though…..right?
🦁❤️
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Marius Gabriel Burja
Darn it Britney, I waited for you long enough. 😁 I'm moving on without you.🖖🏻🤓💨💖🇺🇸✌🏻
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Rev. Howard Slayton
The church should be for ALL people.
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Lionheart
Which church would that be? Just asking for a pagan friend of mine that treats the forest as his church.
🦁❤️
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Arch Bishiop Rev Robert E Wright Jr
U could if asked me brit I could of done the service for ya the catholic way as well
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Arch Bishiop Rev Robert E Wright Jr
U could if asked me brit I could of done the service for ya the catholic way as well
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Arch Bishiop Rev Robert E Wright Jr
U could if asked me brit I could of done the service for ya the catholic way as well
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Pastor~HP~Sister Beth
Pre-Cana and the Engagement Encounter. Those are the “tests” the Catholic Church puts you through before you can get married in a Catholic Church. I went through both not once, but twice. And I have to say, it was worth it - both times.
The Engagement Encounter gives you a full weekend to look into your heart and seek answers to questions you probably haven’t thought of. The Couples go to this encounter together, and spend time in a full group with other couples. A subject is discussed with the group, and then the couples are separated. This separation happens many times over the course of the weekend so that each person can privately journal about your thoughts and feelings based on the last discussion you had as a group. Then you are brought together again and allowed to discuss your answers with your fiancé, before the discussion of the next “scenario.” And NO, you do not sleep in the same room as your fiancé - you are paired up with another person of the same sex to share a room for the weekend.
The Pre-Cana is not really a test. It’s just a long list of questions both you and your fiancé are asked. Each of you is placed in a separate room with a booklet that has the questions. You answer them in the same form as you would answer school-wide, or state-wide testing, where you use a pencil to darken the circle for the answer. So, yes - in that sense I guess you could call it a test, except there are no right or wrong answers. Once you answer all the questions, both of you give your answers to a priest. The Priest then sends the test answers away for “scoring”, for lack of a better term. When they come back, the priest will have a very long print out that shows both sets of answers. You then spend 4 weeks or so going back to see that Priest once a week to discuss the answers together with your fiancé. The Priests guides you along, and flags anything that may create issues for you as a couple, as well as showing what could be strengths and weaknesses for your relationship.
If I had it to do over again, I would not have changed a thing. (EXCEPT for the fact several years later I left the Catholic Church and became Wiccan.) But that test was very beneficial. I chose not to get married to the man I took that test with the first time. Good thing too. He was both mentally and physically abusive, and that test showed me that.
And the second time? Yes, It was also worth it. I married the second man, and have been with him for over 38 years now.
Peace and Blessings ♥️
Duh Brittany, you should have clecked before you "decided" to become a Catholic. Their rules have been in place for centuries. You can attend, no problem, but if you want to marry in the church, take communion, etc. gotta pay the toll. No celeb discounts!
LOL
@Mark Stricklett She should have picked a different religion, Scientology. She could have bought her way into that religion.
or join the unitarian church perhaps.