Warning for Christian polygamists

BBC ^ | 9 May 2008 | Staff

[forkinsocket]

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[Tax-chick]

If they do separate, the women usually give up their children to the care of their ex-husbands.

So if a man has five or six wives, and all but one leaves her children with him, then he takes care of 30-odd children? What a mess!

[sionnsar]

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Speak the truth in love. Eph 4:15

[ZGuy]

This is something that missionaries over the centuries have encountered. The general rule followed was that ripping apart families and destroying lives in the name of Jesus was not the answer. The families who already were in culturally-accepted polygamous marriages when they became Christians were allowed to remain as a family, but those who were not in polygamous marriages were to now to follow the biblical norm of one spouse per person. In one generation the polygamous “problem” would be resolved.

[L,TOWM]

We cannot claim to be a Bible-believing church and yet be selective in our obedience."

I would'nt mind seeing that portion of the letter sent to many churches right here in the good 'ole US of A.

[tbw2]

And there is the matter of being fair to the wives. By stating that a girl possibly forced into becoming a second wife is now illegitimate and loses her children because they join a more humane religion doesn’t aid in the argument.

[Revelation 911]

what faith group are they speaking of - I know of no prots or Catholics who are polygamous

[AnalogReigns]

That's the solution I've heard was standard in Africa, but apparently Akinola is calling for a stricter path, instructing polygamous husbands to divorce their extra wives. It really is a mess, and a situation I can't imagine...

Next to the Archbishop of Canterbury, Archbishop Akinola is surely the most powerful single Anglican bishop in the world. All the Anglicans/Episcopalians in the English speaking West: USA, Canada, Australia, NZ, and the UK could into one of his 11 provinces.... He has something like 17 Million Anglicans (who are overwealmingly orthodox/evangelical) under his care in Nigeria, in addition to overseeing the Convocation of Anglicans in North America (CANA) which constitutes over 20% of the ex-Episcopalians in Virginia...

Imagine too, trying to be the leader of a country's Christian church where HALF the population of the country are fundamentalist Moslems.

Anglicans make up the 3rd largest Church in the world.

[LearsFool]

If the Christian principle of monogamy continued to be ignored, "it will make a mockery of whatever else we stand for," the archbishop wrote.

Too late.

[killermedic]

Nigerian Anglican Church

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anglicans

It seems that by definition they are Protestants.

[Tennessee Nana]

You play, you pay

LOL

[Paridel]

It seems that by definition they are Protestants.

I think the truth is a little more complicated than that. Many of us Anglicans would say that we are one of the three branches of Orthodox Christianity, the other two being Roman Catholics and Eastern Orthodox.

Sure, many Anglicans have views on certain issues that are closer to Protestant than Catholic, but it could certainly be argued that the Catholics are the ones that have drifted on these issues away from traditional beliefs, not us.

However, when we are talking about Anglicans in the global south, such as these ones mentioned in this article, I believe they lean toward to the protestant side of things. Other freepers know much more than me on all of the above however!

-paridel

[Paridel]

Oops! I forgot to mention the most important part. Anglicans obviously do not believe in polygamy. The question is how to handle new converts from Islam -- polygamy is widely practiced in Africa. There are a number of Christians of various denominations in NYC actually with multiple wives, this has been an plot device in several TV shows recently.

-paridel

[Revelation 911]

I agree with you - the situation appears to be a muslim carryover, rather than a position of the Church. I dont think anyone in thier right mind would call this situation condoned by the larger Church, rather it sounds as if there is difficulty at the local level....time for a housecleaning

[Colofornian]

From the article: The BBC's Andrew Walker in Abuja says the archbishop's letter may be an attempt to head off criticism about "unscriptural practices" in his own back yard. If the Christian principle of monogamy continued to be ignored, "it will make a mockery of whatever else we stand for," the archbishop wrote.

Yes, monogamy is the Scriptural practice: Tim. 3:2,12; Titus 1:5-7; 1 Cor. 7:2; Matt. 19; Gen. 2:23-25; Deut. 17:17; Lev. 18:18. The Israelites viewed monogamy as the most acceptable form of marriage -- stated openly in Deut. 17:17 & Gen. 2:24 + implied by Hebrew laws in Ex. 20:17; 21:5; Lev. 18:8,16-20; 20:10; Num. 5:12; Deut. 5:21.

The practice of polygamy historically is rooted in the person of Lamech, the initial polygamist who was a violent Cainite. It was then practiced thru the pagan custom of ancient Mesopotamia.

[killermedic]

“but it could certainly be argued that the Catholics are the ones that have drifted on these issues away from traditional beliefs, not us.”

I am sure there are many Catholics here on FR that will argue the inverse.

Thanks for your thoughts.

[killermedic]

I guess my question is: Are these people considered True Christians or just half-way there with a few more things to clear up before they are saved?

[Sherman Logan]

the situation appears to be a muslim carryover

Polygamy as a common practice in Africa goes way back before Islam.

[Revelation 911]

that may or may not be....I am basing my comments on the information presented....and it appears that while your contention may be accurate - they arent “Christian” in any sense of the term as evidenced by the Denominations response.

[Paridel]

I am sure there are many Catholics here on FR that will argue the inverse.

Of course! I actually have a great many Catholic friends here at UT Austin, and we spend a great deal of time arguing that point (typically over dinner or a beer). Its encouraged both sides to spend a good amount of time reading the church Fathers and learning more about our faith.

I just hope that Catholic church learns from Anglican failures and continues to take a hard line against the homosexual agenda...

-paridel