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Polygamists fight to decriminalize bigamy
The Washington Post ^ | Nov 21, 2006 | John Pomfret

Posted on 11/21/2006 1:36:33 PM PST by presidio9

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To: presidio9

Societies with large numbers of unattached males also tend toward higher amounts of violence and discord. Polygamy skews male choice toward younger and younger wives as the amount of women get scarce - witness Mohammed marrying that 9-year-old, for instance - and by definition, many men will be left unwed, childless, and without families. Go ahead and tell me that's a good thing for society. For women, the argument might be made that they can choose the most powerful and affluent men to bond with, but in reality, it appears that societies which allow polygamy have far fewer rights for women than monogamous societies; maybe it has something to do with getting snatched up by men at very young ages.

In any case, I already see how well things are among children in my classroom after society has been experimenting with family structure. Those with mother-father households tend to do well; those with some kind of mix tend to be a little messed up; those without a father at all are often basket cases. Not all, of course; there are exceptions.

I look at this article as just another slip down the slope of social decay. After polygamy, the next step will be allowing sex between teenagers and adults. The step after that is really too awful to contemplate.


81 posted on 11/21/2006 3:08:52 PM PST by redpoll (redpoll)
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To: presidio9; All

Can anyone tell me the advantages of polygamy over: a) the "serial" polygamy of one spouse at a time, with no legal limit on the number one may marry in a lifetime; and b) non-marital domestic relationships of every sort?

As it is, people are "living together," and breaking up and rearranging with others, all the time. People are marrying and divorcing and remarrying. What exactly would attract anyone to concurrent marriages instead of the existing options?

While we're at it, let us contemplate what the legal relationship would be between/among multiple wives, and between/among multiple husbands. How would the law define the "other" pair/s in a union of three or more? What would be the rights and responsibilities they had with respect to each other?

Somehow I don't think the law would adjust to that very readily.


82 posted on 11/21/2006 3:09:45 PM PST by Graymatter
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To: Vigilanteman
It is forbidden according to the Gospel of St. Matthew, chapter 6, verse 24:

No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other.

That's two masters. Don't say nuttin' 'bout two mistresses, though!

83 posted on 11/21/2006 3:09:56 PM PST by Gondring (I'll give up my right to die when hell freezes over my dead body!)
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To: ARE SOLE
This is very important, who wants these haters breeding with 4 women and counting on welfare from us infidels to support a growing population that hates us? France anyone?

How is that different from inner-city thugs having multiple kids with multiple women that they're not married to? Who also constitute a growing population that hates middle-class America? It's already here

84 posted on 11/21/2006 3:11:13 PM PST by SauronOfMordor (A planned society is most appealing to those with the arrogance to think they will be the planners)
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To: marsh_of_mists
"Not two years ago, everyone was talking about gay marriage and we said "But that could lead to all this other stuff, starting with polygamy." and they said "Oh no, your just being paranoid. It'll never happen." Remember how they tore Santorum to pieces with his comments in that area. Yeah, well, looks like it's time for Step 2!"

Just wait till you see the movement to lower the age of consent. It's for the children dontcha know!
85 posted on 11/21/2006 3:20:17 PM PST by samm1148 (Pennsylvania-They haven't taxed air--yet)
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To: ApplegateRanch; wagglebee
It is almost always seems to be about having a steady supply of younger, warmer pockets to keep "junior" warm in, on an otherwise cold, headachy night.

Seems like that is the main draw to having more than one wife. Unless anyone can give a better reason.

86 posted on 11/21/2006 3:22:11 PM PST by metmom (Welfare was never meant to be a career choice.)
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To: AnotherUnixGeek
Even in Saudi Arabia, where the practice is legal, polygamous marriages make up less than 5% of the total.

Most Arab men are monogamous, because marriage is expensive. It costs a lot of money to buy & keep one wife, let alone four.

Under Islamic law, a man has to provide equally for all his wives. This is nothing to an oil shiek, who obviously has the money, or a Bedouin, who simply would pitch another tent. But to a middle-class Arab, it is financial suicide.

In Saudi Arabia, as well as other Arab/Muslim countries, it is generally just the sheiks or the Bedouins with multiple wives. Unfortunately, this can create an equity problem, where some guys get all the girls, and the rest are frustrated.

87 posted on 11/21/2006 3:22:34 PM PST by MoochPooch (I'm a compassionate cynic.)
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To: JennysCool
Experiment????

Polygamy has been a part of and continues to be part of the human condition since time began. It is far easier to document societies and cultures that have been polygamist than monogamist.

As for taking a second wife... I don't think I would do it. I believe that I have obligations under my faith to my family... Obligations that I feel I'm barely able to keep up with my current family and one wife.
88 posted on 11/21/2006 3:23:52 PM PST by taxcontrol
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To: taxcontrol
You have not been exposed to very many polygamists have you. Most wives would not trade their life for anything in the world.

Muslims women say the same thing, but then again, they're brainwashed, too.

89 posted on 11/21/2006 3:23:55 PM PST by metmom (Welfare was never meant to be a career choice.)
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To: AnotherUnixGeek
I don't see why either I or the government should care.

Do you know anything about how welfare works?

90 posted on 11/21/2006 3:41:37 PM PST by FlingWingFlyer (America! It's off with the desert BDUs and on with the lavender burqas!!!)
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To: AdamSelene235

I like that ! Very humorous!


91 posted on 11/21/2006 3:45:36 PM PST by dforest (Don't get fooled, the bigger struggle is still out there, and growing)
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To: taxcontrol
Sure. That's what they (the husbands) all say. Are you one of them?

There's stories of pain all over the web, but I guess if you weren't really in love with the guy who you were semi-forced to marry, it woudn't be nearly as painful as if you were deeply in love with him.

Gain a "sister" for sharing a husband? blech

92 posted on 11/21/2006 3:48:27 PM PST by Texas_shutterbug
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To: 2banana
3. We'd better do something because we're being outbreeded by those who wish us harm.

93 posted on 11/21/2006 3:50:17 PM PST by William Terrell (Individuals can exist without government but government can't exist without individuals.)
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To: AdamSelene235
"Polygamy allows successful men to out breed failures, essentially a complete inversion of the welfare state status quo."

well, that's not really what is going on in Utah, is it? Many of those children are on welfare.

94 posted on 11/21/2006 3:50:49 PM PST by Texas_shutterbug
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To: FlingWingFlyer
Do you know anything about how welfare works?

I do. I just don't see the relevance. Government's job is not to ban relationships between consenting adults because they might add some burden to welfare rolls (hardly a given, btw).
95 posted on 11/21/2006 3:51:53 PM PST by AnotherUnixGeek
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To: metmom

Actually, some Muslim women do speak out about how painful it is to be a first wife.


96 posted on 11/21/2006 3:57:29 PM PST by Texas_shutterbug
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To: presidio9

This is a veiled hit piece on Mitt Romney. Mormonism in many people's minds is associated with polygamy, even though Mormons banned the practice many years ago.


97 posted on 11/21/2006 3:59:06 PM PST by randita
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To: taxcontrol

Yes, polygamy has been the norm in many societies if only because extremely wealthy and powerful men make it so.


98 posted on 11/21/2006 3:59:07 PM PST by Texas_shutterbug
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To: AnotherUnixGeek

Obviously, you don't know how welfare works. IT IS A GIVEN. Google: Hildale, Utah and Colorado City, Arizona. The shenanigans of these bozos are giving the state fits. You can take that to the bank.


99 posted on 11/21/2006 4:03:24 PM PST by FlingWingFlyer (America! It's off with the desert BDUs and on with the lavender burqas!!!)
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To: Gondring
Don'tcha know that the Bible is a sexist book which doesn't use feminine form? Masters doesn't refer to gender but to status.

Show me a married man who says he is master of his household and I'll show you a man who lies about other things too.

100 posted on 11/21/2006 4:16:53 PM PST by Vigilanteman (Are there any men left in Washington? Or are there only cowards? Ahmad Shah Massoud)
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