December 19. On this date in 1974, the UHJ wrote the NSA of Ecuador "regarding an atheist who agreed to the Bahá'í ceremony but since he did not believe in God did not wish to repeat the marriage verse using the name of God" that "No Bahá'í marriage can be valid without the recitation of the prescribed verse by both parties."

December 19. On this date in 1974, the UHJ wrote the NSA of Ecuador "regarding an atheist who agreed to the Bahá'í ceremony but since he did not believe in God did not wish to repeat the marriage verse using the name of God" that "No Bahá'í marriage can be valid without the recitation of the prescribed verse by both parties."

1285. Marriage of Bahá'í to Atheist
"The laws conditioning Bahá'í marriage are found in the 'Synopsis and Codification of the Kitab-i-Aqdas' under C., Laws of Personal Status, beginning on Page 39 of that publication. No Bahá'í marriage can be valid without the recitation of the prescribed verse by both parties."
(From a letter written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice in answer to a letter from the National Spiritual Assembly of Ecuador regarding an atheist who agreed to the Bahá'í ceremony but since he did not believe in God did not wish to repeat the marriage verse using the name of God. Letter dated December 19, 1974)