texas polygamy

we already discussed this topic, you're late. unless of course this is another one of your "look how bad you are, you have no right to criticize us" sequelae...

do notice that the government cracked down on these polygamists, unlike the underage legal polygamic marriages in some other parts of the world I don't need to name... :-S

Yeah, apparently there is some strange sect in christianity that practices these abhorrent things. But, 99% of christianity is not like that.
I didn't mean Turkey, but all the other countries where islam is the dominant religion. Islam openly allows multiple marriages with underage girls.

But polygamy is allowed in İslam unlike Christianity !

Well,right or wrong,why or how,those have been debated before
And every religion has its own rules and understandings
İslam allowing it on some bases,Muslims sees its right,and you dont see it that way,fine also,its your opinion
But Christianity forbidden it,and even those people are Christians,they are practicing it
That is the difference

This thread its not about if İslam is wrong or right...
That is about polygamy practicing by Christians

Tho in my opinion,every man is having an affair with another woman is also practicing polygamy !

Canli, of course it would hurt you if your husband was cheating on you. But it's not polygamy by definition. If we considered that polygamy, then it would be happening in all religions as men and women cheat no matter what their religion is.

As for Christianity, you must remember that it's not one group. There's lots of diversity in different churches. You have Catholics,Protestants and Orthodox all subject to different institutions. Also, there is a group of Churches (congregations) that call themselves Christian but are not recognised as Christian by other Christian congregations (e.g. Mormons). If I start a religious group and call them Christian, it doesn't mean they are. Likewise, if I call them Muslim it wouldn't make them Muslim only because that's what I'd call them. It's the same thing with the group from the "controversial" thread that Tamidakika started. Christianity is against polygamy and it's a fact. What may be interesting is that the concept of monogamy does not stem from the Bible, it's rather a cultural thing.

All of you are absolutely right about Christianity treating women unfairly. That was very apparent in Middle Ages, women were considered impure, all the evil men did was inspired by women. If a men cheated on his wife no big harm was done, if a woman did her punishment was terrible. Raped women had nobody to complain to about it. Lords had the rights of First Night (if a peasant was getting married, his Lord could have sex with his wife before he did) etc.

But since Middle Ages are long gone, Europe (I'm talking about Europe here as it's been predominantly Christian ever since they slaughtered all pagans) is not like this. And nobody would refer to the Bible in order to justify things like beating his wife. Today's Christianity is about going to Church and following the Ten Commandments that go:


I.
I am the LORD your God: you shall not have strange Gods before me!

II.
You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain!

III.
Remember to keep holy the LORD'S Day!

IV.
Honor your father and your mother!

V.
You shall not kill!

VI.
You shall not commit adultery!

VII.
You shall not steal!

VIII.
You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor!

IX.
You shall not covet your neighbor's wife!

X.
You shall not covet your neighbor's goods!




The rest of life is governed by Legal Systems of each country and those systems do not always follow the Commandments(e.g. Gay marriages in the Netherlands). Also, although adultery is a sin according to the Commandments, it is not a crime in the light of law. It is basis for divorce, but a person who cheats on their spouse is not legally tried for it.

Mormons are not typical Christians. They are considered a sect and are not part of the Christian mainstream. They have a completely different book called, The Book of Mormon. It has only a few similarities to the traditional Christian Bible. Because religious freedom is assured in the US, the government does not tell these people who/what/when/how they should worship...however, this particular group on Mormons (who are more radical than traditional Mormons) have broken MANY statutory laws governing child protection. That is the legal issue. As far as the "plural marriage issue" is concerned....these men are only legally married to one woman. They take on several "spiritual wives". There is nothing statutorily wrong with this however most Americans find it morally repugnant. As a strong believer in the first amendment of the American Constitution which assures an individuals RIGHT to worship as they please, I don't fundementally have a problem with Mormons. I do have a serious problem with the mistreatment of children within this sect.

I couldn't agree more, Elisabeth. This thread desperately needed a comment that the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is not a Christian organisation but a denomination of The Mormon Church.

Like you, I believe in freedom of religion. Adults should have the right to choose a religion. If they decide to accept polygamy, it should be allowed. However, I believe a religion that allows men to marry more than one wife will soon find a way to force women into polygamy whether they like it or not. If a religion allowed polygamy for both men and women and was a matter of personal choice then...let it be (But then the children in such a group would have a problematic situation). Nah, on the other hand, I'd go for the No-Religion-Is-Better option.

The difficulty between balancing individual freedom with morality is something that the US has struggled with since it's inception. However the law is very clear. You can not LEGALLY marry more than one person. These fundementalists have found a way to circumvent the laws by taking "spiritual wives" in addition to their legal wife. The fact that these women are often held against their will is a clear violation of their rights and civil liberties. Couple this with the fact that under age girls are FORCED to marry (whether legally or "spiritually) and have sex is a clear violation of child protection laws.

This is a RENEGADE SECT. NOT A REFLECTION OF AVERAGE AMERICAL LIFE. They will be prosectuted for there alledged crimes and punished if they are found guilty...something that happens rarely in the middle east for similar CRIMES!