Polygamy (moral, tradition, America, church, LDS)

[Lightkeeper]

I have wondered why the Bush administration doesn't seem to mention polygamy with the same fervor he talks about gay marriage. Polygamy exists in the U.S. I don't think I have ever heard him mention this when he talks about the sanctity of marriage. What do you think about polygamy?

[michel]

I though polygamy was a game played by parrots?

[cardero]

Originally Posted by Lightkeeper

What do you think about polygamy?

I am starting to see a pattern developing on RF. I am not sure of the legal connotations or if there is any economy significance of polygamy (if and where it is allowed) but as I mentioned in another thread as long as everyone is in consent I do not see anything wrong or sinful with it. With today’s financial obligations and family responsibilties it seems that it is more practical to have more than 2 people contributing to a household.

[Scorn]

Hmm, Interesting carrdero. A practical application to the issue.



On another note, the role of polygyny is often associated with the FLDS in America (not to be confused with the LDS who, in simple terms, abandoned the practice for statehood), has been viewed from the outside as abusive, with regard to the rights of women. And the speculated bartering (Church sanctioned marriage in the FLDS lexicon) of young women, some as young as 14 to older men, some as old as 70, seems quite repugnant to the majority of citizen in the US and Canada. Not to mention the obvious sexual abuse implications in such an arrangement. The most powerful FLDS communities are quite secretive and seem (from what I've read) to have a cult like status. I think there is an effort to tread softly with these groups. Waco comes to mind in terms of the wrong kind of approach or at least as what a confrontation could escalate to. Coupled with the freedom of religion elements of the constitution both in America and Canada (we have polygyny groups here in Canada as well. Associated with the FLDS in Utah) . I think the governments are in a position of damned if you do, damned if you don't. A sticky situation to say the least.

[linwood]

If all parties are able to and do consent I see no problem.
The same possibility for abuse exists within traditional marraige as well.

[Druidus]

When did we last have this thread? Short time only guys, so here it is:

I agree with everyone who agrees that it is ok so long as people consent to it. Also, the age of consent in Canada is 14, for anyone who might not know, so therefore, while it might not be considered moral, anyone can marry/have sex with a 14 year old in Canada, as long as he/she consents.