what do you think of polygamy? and why?
448899
I am a cultural relativist, so I see no reason to judge other cultures poorly if they have a tradition of polygamy. They have their own reasons for doing it. Historically, polygamy has been far more widespread than monogamy. It's still practiced by some cultures today. If you look, most of them come from areas where survival is difficult, and it's easier to survive and to reproduce if you have multiple wives. I'd also like to point out that, although there aren't nearly as many, there are also a few cultures where the wives have multiple husbands. Again, you can usually see environmental reasons for it.\n\nPersonally, I don't understand most people in this country who consider themselves poly, because it always seems to me that there's a "third wheel" who doesn't get as much attention as one of the other partners. But if that's their thing, that's their thing. Maybe it works fine for them and I simply can't understand from an outsider's perspective. I really think the most important thing is: are the people in the situation happy, and is anyone being hurt by it? If the answer to the first question is yes, and the second one no, then it's all good.
476011
According to Justice Scalia, the legal arguments used in favor of same-sex marriages apply equally to polygamous marriages. Personally, I think we could solve both arguments by getting the government completely out of the business of telling you with whom you are allowed to form relationships. Whoever came up with the idea that you had to ask the government for permission to get married? I'll tell you: Churches wanted more political power in Europe, and bigots wanted to keep blacks from marrying whites in America. Without those two "honorable" traditions, we would all still have freedom of marriage. Polygamy has a longer history in almost every culture in the world, including English and Native American, than monogamy has. If consenting adults are free to marry someone of the same gender (which is clearly contrary to almost all human tradition), then they must also be free to marry two other consenting adults of the opposite gender (which is clearly supported by most human tradition).
997273
He never approved of many wives.\n\nThe Bible says that God’s original intention was for one man to be married to only one woman, “For this reason a man shall leave his father and his mother, and be joined to his wife; and they shall become one flesh” (Genesis 2:24). Mankind quickly perverted the concept of marriage to allow for multiple wives (Genesis 4:19). The Bible does not specifically condemn the practice of polygamy until the New Testament (1 Timothy 3:2), but that does not mean God approved of polygamy before.\n\n \n\nWe see in Deuteronomy 17:14-20, that the kings were not supposed to have multiple wives. Ultimately the case can be made from Genesis 2:23-24, 1 Timothy 3:2,12 and Titus 1:6 that nobody should have multiple wives. Although the New Testament passages relate to elders and deacons we can apply it to all Christians men because these are worthy standards for all men and we should all seek to be Holy as God is Holy (1 Peter 1:16), and if these standards are holy for elders and deacons then they are holy for all.\n\n \n\nUltimately, everyone who had more than one wife was in sin and against God's will. However, God does not constantly admonish us for all sins in the same way. Everyone sins every day and sometimes we do not see the immediate response in relation to that sin. I can speed and not have a direct chastising from God, although I would certainly have conviction. In the same manner I can commit other sins and not feel the response of God, however I should always know that God hates sin and that as a Christian I know that Jesus bore my sins on the cross and I do not want to multiply those sins. I can also sin and see that God is responding immediately to cause me to stop my rebellion, repent and return to Him. It is God's decision how and when He admonishes His children and those who are unsaved.
623018
Yes and I agree that you should use considerable judgment if you find yourself in this situation...on either side of the formula!\n\nFAQs/Polyamorory (see link below) says this about the question of jealousy:\n     "Some people seem to have no jealousy; it's as if they didn't get that piece installed at the factory.  Others, including some long-term polyamorists, feel jealousy, which they regard as a signal that something needs investigation and care, much as they would regard depression or pain.  Jealousy is neither a proof of love (and this is where polyamory differs from possessive or insecure monogamy) nor a moral failing (and this is where polyamory differs from emotionally manipulating one's partner(s) into relationships for which they are not ready)."\n\nPolyamory (noun) is defined as being in love with more than one person at the same time.  Polyamorous (adjective) means loving more than one person, usually refering to being in that state currently, but not necessarily.  If you're asking the question, you're probably already feeling this way.  Polygamy is actually marrying more than one person, as in the original Mormon belief in taking more than one spouse so as to increase their number.  \n\nAnother example...rare, by the way...in movies was the Clint Eastwood musical (yes, he made musicals too!) called "Paint Your Wagon!"  In an unusual state of the goldrush crazy of mid-1800's California, two very different men, friends, decided to share a wife (there were very few women anyway).  Problem was that JEALOUSY reared its ugly head.  If you can find it, rent it...it may give you a better idea of the inherent difficulties of this kind of relationship!\n\nThere are also moral implications; however, most morals arise out of the necessity to protect the integrity of society at large, rather than the passing whims of individuals.  If you choose this direction, be careful, you will find that many states actually have laws on the books that 'discourage' the active practice of polygamy...whether or not you go through with a marriage.\n\nBlessings, Rev Debi Brady
53052
The laws against polygamy have historical roots from a number of cultures.  In terms of definitions the following applies:\n\nPolygamy is the offense of having several wives or husbands at the same time, or more than one wife or husband at the same time.  Bigamy literally means a second marriage distinguished from a third or other; while polygamy means many marriages – implies more than two.  Polygamy is a crime in all states.\nA person is guilty of polygamy, a felony of the third degree, if he marries or cohabits with more than one spouse at a time in purported exercise of the right of plural marriage.  The offense is a continuing one until all cohabitation and claim of marriage with more than one spouse terminates.  This section does not apply to parties to a polygamous marriage, lawful in the country of which they are residents or nationals, while they are in transit through or temporary visiting this State.  Reference Model Penal Code Section 230.1.\n\nIn terms of applied law this has been before the United States Supreme Court which has offered a perspective of how this is viewed by the legal system and the country in general as for example:\n\nIn 1890 the United States Supreme Court, under Chief Justice Melville W. Fuller, reviewed the case of  Davis v. Beason, The opinion of the court was delivered by Justice Field.  (If interested the entire opinion can be found at:\nhttp://www.justia.us/us/133/333/case.html )\n  \nIn summation this opinion (in part) stated:  The case of Davis v. Beason held that a Territorial statute which provided that no person should be entitled to vote at any election who was a member of any organization which encouraged its members to commit the crime of bigamy or polygamy, as a duty arising or resulting from a membership in such an organization, or which practiced bigamy or polygamy or plural or celestial marriage as a doctrinal rite of such organization, was not a law respecting an establishment of religion, in violation of this amendment.  Polygamy is a crime by the laws of all civilized and Christian countries; to call the advocacy of it a tenet of religion is to offend the common sense of mankind.
143767
In anthropology, polygamy is the practice of marriage to more than one partner at the same time. Polygamy comes mainly in two forms: Polyandry (one wife, several husbands) is rather rare and mostly covers relationships where several men share a wife; on the other hand there is the far more common polygyny (one husband, several wifes).\nIn everyday language polygamy is used when people are cactually talking about polygyny.
479732
yes.  love it.  i hate when each episode is over, wish it could be longer.  i love all 3 wives.  the overall theme of the show is fascinating to me, and i really like the little subplots, or minidramas that go on in each episode that keep it interesting.  i think nicky is my favorite.  i really like that i was so negative about the idea of a show about polygamy at first, but now i love it.  whether it's right or wrong, i'm feeling a lot more accepting of people's lifestyle choices and i didn't even know i was narrowminded before.  if all polygamists had such healthy relationships then i'd see absolutely nothing wrong with polygamy, i guess.  well, maybe not.  i don't know.  but i like a show that makes me think while being so entertaining, too.
195246
People wish to live that way.  It is not legal in America so they merely live together most of the time.\n\nBut in other nations it is legal and a status symbol, like owning a new Beamer in your garage,  In other areas it is just the way society lives.\n\nBibically many people in the Old Testement lived in polygamy,
538697
How about marrying a woman with more than one husband? I could benefit from my brothers, have plenty of time for myself, have plenty of help in caring for my children, but I might have to wait for alone time. \nCheck out the social heirarchy of gorilla packs and chimp tribes. Other primates have this sort of arrangement too, so its definately a part of our social anscestry.
514852
Why is a man allowed to have more than one wife in Islam? i.e. why is polygamy allowed in Islam?\n\nAnswer:\n\nDefinition of Polygamy\n\n1.  Polygamy means a system of marriage whereby one person has more than one spouse. Polygamy can be of two types. One is polygyny where a man marries more than one woman, and the other is polyandry, where a woman marries more than one man. In Islam, limited polygyny is permitted; whereas polyandry is completely prohibited.\n\nNow coming to the original question, why is a man allowed to have more than one wife?\n\n\n2.  The Qur’an is the only religious scripture in the world that says,"marry only one".\n\n\nThe Qur’an is the only religious book, on the face of this earth, that contains the phrase ‘marry only one’. There is no other religious book that instructs men to have only one wife. In none of the other religious scriptures, whether it be the Vedas, the Ramayan, the Mahabharat, the Geeta, the Talmud or the Bible does one find a restriction on the number of wives. According to these scriptures one can marry as many as one wishes. It was only later, that the Hindu priests and the Christian Church restricted the number of wives to one.\n\nMany Hindu religious personalities, according to their scriptures, had multiple wives. King Dashrat, the father of Rama, had more than one wife. Krishna had several wives.\n\nIn earlier times, Christian men were permitted as many wives as they wished, since the Bible puts no restriction on the number of wives. It was only a few centuries ago that the Church restricted the number of wives to one.\n\nPolygyny is permitted in Judaism. According to Talmudic law, Abraham had three wives, and Solomon had hundreds of wives. The practice of polygyny continued till Rabbi Gershom ben Yehudah (95% C.E to 1030 C.E) issued an edict against it. The Jewish Sephardic communities living in Muslim countries continued the practice till as late as 1950, until an Act of the Chief Rabbinate of Israel extended the ban on marrying more than one wife.\n\n\n3.  Hindus are more polygynous than Muslims\n\n\nThe report of the ‘Committee of The Status of Woman in Islam’, published in 1975 mentions on page numbers 66 and 67 that the percentage of polygamous marriages between the years 1951 and 1961 was 5.06% among the Hindus and only 4.31% among the Muslims. According to Indian law only Muslim men are permitted to have more than one wife. It is illegal for any non-Muslim in India to have more than one wife. Despite it being illegal, Hindus have more multiple wives as compared to Muslims. Earlier, there was no restriction even on Hindu men with respect to the number of wives allowed. It was only in 1954, when the Hindu Marriage Act was passed that it became illegal for a Hindu to have more than one wife. At present it is the Indian Law that restricts a Hindu man from having more than one wife and not the Hindu scriptures. \n\nLet us now analyse why Islam allows a man to have more than one wife.\n\n\n4.   Qur’an permits limited polygyny\n\n\nAs I mentioned earlier, Qur’an is the only religious book on the face of the earth that says ‘marry only one’. The context of this phrase is the following verse from Surah Nisa of the Glorious Qur’an: \n\n"Marry women of your choice, two, or three, or four; but if ye fear that ye shall not be able to deal justly (with them), then only one."\n\n                                  [Al-Qur’an 4:3]\n\nBefore the Qur’an was revealed, there was no upper limit for polygyny and many men had scores of wives, some even hundreds. Islam put an upper limit of four wives. Islam gives a man permission to marry two, three or four women, only on the condition that he deals justly with them. \n\nIn the same chapter i.e. Surah Nisa verse 129 says:\n\n"Ye are never able to be fair and just as between women...."\n\n                                 [Al-Qur’an 4:129]\n\nTherefore polygyny is not a rule but an exception
647304
Then they are polygamists and are violating the law of the USA.\nAnd what about the Bible. Jesus defended the Old Testament and there was lots of polygamy there. Doesn't make it good or right, however.
394882
I believe.\n\nIt's the people who say that Marriage is sacred that are destroying it. All love is beautiful and Marriage is a social contract that two people deeply in love make. If you want to make holy pacts as well that's fine. I think people expect too much out of marriage, it doesn't fix problems and if you are not willing to adapt then you will likely have a troubled marriage. Compatibility is also a problem.\n\nI completely believe in all love. I think that same-sex marriage should be legalized, because to deny them that is like saying marriage isn't about love at all.\n\nHypocrisy breeds Chaos. When you try to limit who can participate in something like marriage or what kind of marriage another person should have, you begin to destroy what it should be about.\n\nWhen we accept marriage as a social contract between two people in love, and stop putting rules and control on it. Then people will stop getting married for the purpose of being married and there will be less problems with it.\n\nAs for cheating, I cannot understand why anyone would cheat in a relationship. I could never dream of doing that to someone I love. Though it might just be that you don't truly love the other person, you just enjoy the feeling of going through the motions of having a relationship.
509628
Polygamy is when somebody marries more than one person.  I wouldn't want to be in a type of relationship like that.  Here in America, it should be legal.  Since this is a free country, why not let us choose who we want to marry and how many we want to marry.  In other countries, people do it because that's how they can feed and take care of women and children.  And in the old days, in war, a man was allowed to marry his brother's wife if his brother died in war.  This was to take care of the wife and children.  Bottom line is it should be allowed everywhere in the United States.
486483
Yes. More than one wife was allowed even in the bible.\n\nIn the old testament, if a man's brother got killed, you would be going him honor to marry his wife also and provide for both.\n\nIn the new testament, it did not really say it was wrong, it only said that minsters could only have on wife due to their other church duties.\n\nPolygamy in the Bible though was out of love and compassion though, not lust.\n\nOther cultures is also open to it.\n\nIf two can become one, than certainly three can become one....my wife would just love to have another women to share the joys and responsibilities with...she told me so.
333795
Peace on you …. Thank you for asking about my religion.\n1. Definition of Polygamy\nPolygamy means a system of marriage whereby one person has more than one\nspouse. Polygamy can be of two types. One is polygyny where a man marries\nmore than one woman, and the other is polyandry, where a woman marries\nmore than one man. In Islam, limited polygyny is permitted; whereas polyandry\nis completely prohibited.\nNow coming to the original question, why is a man allowed to have more than\none wife?\n2. The Qur’an is the only religious scripture in the world that says,\n“marry only one”.\nThe Qur’an is the only religious book, on the face of this earth, that contains the\nphrase ‘marry only one’. There is no other religious book that instructs men to\nhave only one wife. In none of the other religious scriptures, whether it be the\nVedas, the Ramayan, the Mahabharat, the Geeta, the Talmud or the Bible does\none find a restriction on the number of wives. According to these scriptures one\ncan marry as many as one wishes. It was only later, that the Hindu priests and\nthe Christian Church restricted the number of wives to one.\nMany Hindu religious personalities, according to their scriptures, had multiple\nwives. King Dashrat, the father of Rama, had more than one wife. Krishna had\nseveral wives.\nIn earlier times, Christian men were permitted as many wives as they wished,\nsince the Bible puts no restriction on the number of wives. It was only a few\ncenturies ago that the Church restricted the number of wives to one.\nPolygyny is permitted in Judaism. According to Talmudic law, Abraham had\nthree wives, and Solomon had hundreds of wives. The practice of polygyny\ncontinued till Rabbi Gershom ben Yehudah (960 C.E to 1030 C.E) issued an\nedict against it. The Jewish Sephardic communities living in Muslim countries\ncontinued the practice till as late as 1950, until an Act of the Chief Rabbinate of\nIsrael extended the ban on marrying more than one wife.\n(*Interesting Note:- As per the 1975 census of India Hindus are more\npolygynous than Muslims. The report of the ‘Committee of The Status of\nWoman in Islam’, published in 1975 mentions on page numbers 66 and 67 that\nthe percentage of polygamous marriages between the years 1951 and 1961\nwas 5.06% among the Hindus and only 4.31% among the Muslims. According\nto Indian law only Muslim men are permitted to have more than one wife. It is\nillegal for any non-Muslim in India to have more than one wife. Despite it being\nillegal, Hindus have more multiple wives as compared to Muslims. Earlier, there\nwas no restriction even on Hindu men with respect to the number of wives\nallowed. It was only in 1954, when the Hindu Marriage Act was passed that it\nbecame illegal for a Hindu to have more than one wife. At present it is the Indian\nLaw that restricts a Hindu man from having more than one wife and not the\nHindu scriptures.)\nLet us now analyse why Islam allows a man to have more than one wife.\n3. Qur’an permits limited polygyny\nAs I mentioned earlier, Qur’an is the only religious book on the face of the earth\nthat says ‘marry only one’. The context of this phrase is the following verse from\nSurah Nisa of the Glorious Qur’an:\n“Marry women of your choice, two, or three, or four; but if ye fear that\nye shall not be able to deal justly (with them), then only one.”\n[Al-Qur’an 4:3]\nBefore the Qur’an was revealed, there was no upper limit for polygyny and\nmany men had scores of wives, some even hundreds. Islam put an upper limit\nof four wives. Islam gives a man permission to marry two, three or four women,\nonly on the condition that he deals justly with them.\nIn the same chapter i.e. Surah Nisa verse 129 says:\n“Ye are never able to be fair and just as between women....”\n[Al-Qur’an 4:129]\nTherefore polygyny is not a rule but an exception. Many people are under the\nmisconception that it is compulsory for a Muslim man to have more than one
8164
Dear SellCar,\n\ni really hope you got a good reason behind those questions, anyways ill answer your question.\n\ni read some strange answer above ;(, so i hope i can make it clear \n\n\nOfcourse every woman hates polygamy, God created woman to hate anyone that shares her love, but in Holy Quran it says and made it clear for men that they should not take more than one wife unless they have their reasons, like for example some wives dont have the ability to be pregnant, its no body's fault of course but as a man everyone likes to be a father, therefore he can marry another wife.\n\nanother reason for men might be that some men need more than one woman and he is not getting enough, therefore he could make sin with other woman which is bad for Islam teachings and social life and reputation, or he can marry another woman that will give him more pleasure and in the same time he is not making any sin.\n\nMoreover, if you now make a study you will find that number of men is much more less than number of women in the world, years ago in Germany they where surprised to find that 1 man is being borned for every 4 women!!\n\nfor a reason that no one knows except God he knew that this will be the case, therefore he authorised to have more than wife, or else we will have more than half of the woman not married for the rest of their lives.(speaking about Islam societies only, western countires men and woman stays with no marriage usually for the rest of their lives)\n\nGod authorised polygamy for more better reasons ofcourse, but i only know these.\n\nand of course there is no polygamy for men in Islam ;), because at that stage we cant know who is son or daughter of whom.\n\nand for a man being with a legal woman is ofcourse much better than being with a new woman everyday or month ;(\n\nIslam makes a great social life by its teachings.\n\n============\n\ni really dont know the exact age of Muhammad(PBUH) when he married Aisha, but i think in 40's.\n\nGod didnt authorise for muslims to marry more than four wives and in a certain conditions, but for messenger of God (Muhmmad PBUH) he authorised for him to marry more, i do know one reason now for this is that Mohammad(PBUH) wanted to make links with the arab tribes across arabia to spread Islam, and as a messenger of God marrying one of the women in a tribe it was a very good impression to make for those tribes, which later he made friendship with them and they followed Islam teachings, therefore marrying more than one wife helped the spread of Islam at that time, and it made for Islam a good base in Arabia.
1186491
The mormon church no longer promotes or tolerates polygamy or bigamy.  The bigger question is do YOU want to join the church?  You shouldn't join because someone else wants you to.  It is a decision you should think long and hard about before making an informed decision.  I am a former member, so if you need someone to talk to or have anymore questions feel free to IM me.  (I'm Bookbaby2004 here on Yahoo)