The recent media attention given to the trial of polygamous sect leader Warren Jeffs has been tugging at my feelings on faith. Obviously, I believe that Warren Jeff’s actions as an accomplice to rape are nothing but despicable, but the shadow the trial cast over the rest of practicing polygamists is unfortunate.
What’s the problem with polygamy? From a human rights perspective, denying someone the right to marry the person/persons they love is a violation of basic natural rights, and dare I say, God-given rights. My faith is rooted in a belief of God-given rights that should never be sacrificed.
The LDS Church did practice polygamy in the 1800’s before bowing to political and economic pressure to change its ways. Today, the LDS Church ex-communicates anyone who practices polygamy, but many independent sects of Mormon faith exist that do exercise plural marriage.
I believe that plural marriage is a law of heaven, but has been sidelined in this world because of cultural customs. Can God compromise?
If so, how far is the Lord willing to go? The Lord I know and have faith in is extremely reasonable, and most of all, understanding. In 2007, I don’t believe polygamy is a lifestyle the Lord wants his children to be participating in. I believe the necessity and purpose of polygamy is no loner relevant on earth. It’s frustrating to see my faith berated in the media for a practice abandoned over a century ago. Members of the LDS faith have moved on, and as far as I’m concerned, the Lord has moved on to blessing his children in other ways in this world.
I have an enormous amount of respect for practicing polygamists I know. In my experience, polygamists tend to be extremely faithful and private individuals. They remind me of myself, because they practice faith unconventionally and usually refuse to impose their beliefs on anyone else. It pains me to see polygamist participants shunned by the American culture. In my attempt to be as Christ-like as possible, I try to be as understanding as I can. The polygamist families I know personally are made up of some of the most consistent, authentic, and kind individuals.
Last year I interviewed Robert Foster, a practicing polygamist in southern Utah. He is a gentleman, now a friend, and a textbook example of what it means to have faith.
Comments (8)
God had given us 2 rules that apply to polygamy.
Follow his laws, and follow the laws of the land.
When the law of the land changed to no polygamy, the LDS church stopped the practice.
Those who continue to practice it are breaking one of god’s laws.
It is as simple as that.
Really,
Mark.
Posted November 29, 2007 2:38 PM
Posted on November 29, 2007 14:38
My issue with Jeffs was not the polygamy, but the fact that an underage girl was forced into marriage and sexual submission against her will - ring or no ring, church or no church, that's rape. His arrangement of the marriage and coersion of her by telling her she would lose her soul if she didn't do as he said makes him an accomplice to rape.
I have no problem with polygyny, polyandry, or any other form of polyamory among consenting adults. Consenting adults should be allowed to marry in whatever congfigurations they choose:
one man - one woman
two or more men
two or more women
one man - multiple women
one woman - multiple men
multiple men - multiple women
As long as everyone involved is a consenting adult, go for it.
One man-one woman is the way that works best for me, but that doesn't mean that I have the right to enforce that model on everyone else, any more than anyone else would have the right to force me to marry someone I didn't want.
Posted November 27, 2007 9:25 AM
Posted on November 27, 2007 09:25
No, God cannot compromise marriage. Marriage is between one man and one women, that is it. I think it's unfaithful to show love for one women and also have love for another. Then start a relationship with both. I believe that God intended marriage to be that way.
Posted November 2, 2007 7:45 PM
Posted on November 2, 2007 19:45
No, God cannot compromise marriage. Marriage is between one man and one women, that is it. I think it's unfaithful to show love for one women and also have love for another. Then start a relationship with both. I believe that God intended marriage to be that way.
Posted November 2, 2007 7:45 PM
Posted on November 2, 2007 19:45
No, God cannot compromise marriage. Marriage is between one man and one women, that is it. I think it's unfaithful to show love for one women and also have love for another. Then start a relationship with both. I believe that God intended marriage to be that way.
Posted November 2, 2007 7:44 PM
Posted on November 2, 2007 19:44
I find it interesting that, although "illegal" in many places, men and women can cohabitate with one another and another and another in series and serial fashions without any government consequence at all. But, the moment one of them makes a spiritually and/or civilly binding commitment to more than one person of the opposite sex, then we see the government clapping them in irons. It just seems rather backwards to me that I can have as many mistresses as my heart desires (or my female counterpart can have as many "boyfriends with benefits" as her heart desires) without ANY government intervention whatsoever, but if I marry more than one person at a time, then it's jail for me. You would think that marrying would protect more children and spouses in the long run. It's like the government wants us to be immoral one way, but bash people for commitment the other way. If it were merely a matter of rape, I could understand the government's prosecution of these guys. Throw the pigs in prison and send the keys away on the next deep space explorer. But they (and so many media outlets) bring polygamy into the mix. What is up with that? I am willing to bet (if I were a betting man) that most of the powers that be have a healthy financial or trade relationship with people around the world who have more than one wife, mistress, concubine or what-have-you. Where's their outrage when it comes to making money with people of cultures who accept such relationships? They have none. And there are reasons for that. (BTW...NO I do not have more than one wife, nor desire it. As the old joke goes, I have enough trouble taking care of ONE wife...I do wonder about the guys who agree to take care of a GROUP of wives: they are either very brave or...I won't go there.)
Posted October 25, 2007 7:05 PM
Posted on October 25, 2007 19:05
Fed Up:
Did you realize that, in ancient times, it was a Judaic tradition to have multiple wives? Does that make King David and King Solomon bad guys? How would you feel about Moses if we could figure out whether the two (very different) references to his wife represented two (very different) women?
In fact, the original Hebrew does not differentiate between "wife" and "concubine", even though most English translations of the Bible do so.
And did you know that up until about 100 BCE, it was considered to be against Jewish tradition for a man to be without a wife. The Essenes changed that, because they thought that it was the end times, and didn't see a need for procreation. Jesus was, in that respect, very much outside the tradition for a Jewish man of that time.
I don't think that it's our place to judge. Choosing a religion comes down to a matter of faith and what you're willing to believe.
Posted October 25, 2007 12:54 PM
Posted on October 25, 2007 12:54
Why do men get to have as many wives as they want? Why can't women have several husbands? Your beliefs are sexist and man made. It is for men so they can jump from bed to bed and get as much sex as they want or handle. You are not living Christ like. Marriage is meant for one man and one woman...not one man and 6 women. You just want to act like you are married and when you get tired of sleeping with one woman go get another one of your desires...and when she is tired of sleeping with you...go get another...and when that one can't have any more babies...go get another one...and when that one gets old and dried out...go get a young one that I can control...it just keeps going on and on... none of that mess is Christ like...It is made up by man for man.
Posted October 24, 2007 2:16 PM
Posted on October 24, 2007 14:16