On Idolatry 16

As for the duties of private and public solemnities, such as the assumption of the toga of manhood, betrothals, weddings, and name-givings, I would think there is no danger in observing them from the breath of idolatry that intrudes on them. For the causes for which the duty is performed must be considered. I think these are clean in themselves, because neither the garment of manhood, nor the ring, nor the marriage union derives from the honor of any idol. In short, I find no dress cursed by God except women's dress on a man: “Cursed,” he says, “is everyone who puts on women's clothes.” But the toga is manly even by its name. Nor does God forbid weddings to be celebrated any more than a name to be given. “But sacrifices are attached to these.” Let me be invited, provided the ground of the duty is not the sacrifice, and the performance of my service may be as much as they please. Would that we could not even see what it is sinful for us to do! But since the evil one has so surrounded the world with idolatry, it will be permitted to be present at some things which make us courteous to a man, not to an idol. Plainly, if invited to a priestly function and a sacrifice, I will not go, for that is an office proper to an idol; nor will I serve such things with advice, or money, or any other help. If I attend because I was invited for the sake of the sacrifice, I shall be a partaker in idolatry; if some other reason joins me to the one sacrificing, I shall be only a spectator of the sacrifice.