Polygamy.

**Megas Methuselah** · February 02, 2010, 12:37 AM

I've reached the conclusion that Polygyny (man married to two or more women) is, from a Christian perspective, acceptable. Unneccesary in most of today's western society perhaps, but certainly acceptable.

If you feel you disagree with me, post the relevant scripture that's against polygyny and we can examine it.

**Lupu** · February 02, 2010, 01:52 AM

No comment, but what about polyandry?

**cfmonkey45** · February 02, 2010, 01:53 AM

Originally Posted by Megas Methuselah

I've reached the conclusion that Polygyny (man married to two or more women) is, from a Christian perspective, acceptable. Unneccesary in most of today's western society perhaps, but certainly acceptable.

If you feel you disagree with me, post the relevant scripture that's against polygyny and we can examine it.

Originally Posted by First Corinthians Chapter 7

1Now for the matters you wrote about: It is good for a man not to marry.[a] 2But since there is so much immorality, each man should have his own wife, and each woman her own husband. 3The husband should fulfill his marital duty to his wife, and likewise the wife to her husband. 4The wife's body does not belong to her alone but also to her husband. In the same way, the husband's body does not belong to him alone but also to his wife. 5Do not deprive each other except by mutual consent and for a time, so that you may devote yourselves to prayer. Then come together again so that Satan will not tempt you because of your lack of self-control. 6I say this as a concession, not as a command. 7I wish that all men were as I am. But each man has his own gift from God; one has this gift, another has that.

The Apostle Paul ultimately argues that since this world is "fading away", and that since the saints (Christians) are being martyred quite frequently, it would be optimal not to marry. However, as Jesus says in Matthew 19,

Originally Posted by Matthew 19

1When Jesus had finished saying these things, he left Galilee and went into the region of Judea to the other side of the Jordan. 2Large crowds followed him, and he healed them there.
3Some Pharisees came to him to test him. They asked, "Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any and every reason?"

4"Haven't you read," he replied, "that at the beginning the Creator 'made them male and female,'[a] 5and said, 'For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh'? 6So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate."

7"Why then," they asked, "did Moses command that a man give his wife a certificate of divorce and send her away?"

8Jesus replied, "Moses permitted you to divorce your wives because your hearts were hard. But it was not this way from the beginning. 9I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for marital unfaithfulness, and marries another woman commits adultery."

10The disciples said to him, "If this is the situation between a husband and wife, it is better not to marry."

11Jesus replied, "Not everyone can accept this word, but only those to whom it has been given. 12For some are eunuchs because they were born that way; others were made that way by men; and others have renounced marriage[c]because of the kingdom of heaven. The one who can accept this should accept it."

It is the presumption of a number of verses, specifically in Genesis, the Gospels, and the New Testament, that a man will choose one wife. Although this isn't technically a requirement, except for overseers (bishops), presbyters (priests), and helpers (deacons).

Originally Posted by First Timothy Chapter 3

1Here is a trustworthy saying: If anyone sets his heart on being an overseer,[a] he desires a noble task. 2Now the overseer must be above reproach, the husband of but one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, 3not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. 4He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him with proper respect. 5(If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God's church?) 6He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil. 7He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil's trap.
8Deacons, likewise, are to be men worthy of respect, sincere, not indulging in much wine, and not pursuing dishonest gain. 9They must keep hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience. 10They must first be tested; and then if there is nothing against them, let them serve as deacons.
11In the same way, their wives[b] are to be women worthy of respect, not malicious talkers but temperate and trustworthy in everything.

12A deacon must be the husband of but one wife and must manage his children and his household well. 13Those who have served well gain an excellent standing and great assurance in their faith in Christ Jesus.

Also, consider the equality in Paul's Epistle to the Galatians.

Originally Posted by Galatians Chapter 3

28There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

**jankren** · February 02, 2010, 02:33 AM

Polyandry actually works better than polygyny because men tend to be less of attention whores.

**boofhead** · February 02, 2010, 02:45 AM

Originally Posted by Megas Methuselah

I've reached the conclusion that Polygyny (man married to two or more women) is, from a Christian perspective, acceptable. Unneccesary in most of today's western society perhaps, but certainly acceptable.

If you feel you disagree with me, post the relevant scripture that's against polygyny and we can examine it.

Got any verses you feel specifically condone it?

**Manco** · February 02, 2010, 03:56 AM

There aren't any verses that speak out against putting your hand in a giraffe's behind either, that doesn't mean you should do it.

**~~removeduser_487563287433~~** · February 02, 2010, 04:10 AM

Polygamy is a funny old thing. I mean, the Abrahamic religions are far more geared towards it than most cultures - in western cultures our attitudes towards marriage has stemmed from Indo-European traditions, not Judeo-Christian semitic traditions.

The Bible is full of people, especially in the Old Testament, who have more than one wife, and then several concubines on top of that. This seems to have been lost in Judeo-Christian culture due to the influence of being under the rule of monogomous cultures, such as the Greeks and Romans where only one wife was the norm. Some sects of Islam still permit polygamy because Islam had far less direct exposure to Indo-European traditions, but it gets this from its Jewish (or more broadly speaking semitic) heritage.

It's very interesting. Even in the Old English poems dealing with our pagan ancestors they only ever mention them having one wife. Just goes to show the Abrahamic attitude to women, I suppose.

**boofhead** · February 02, 2010, 04:37 AM

Originally Posted by Ferrets54

Polygamy is a funny old thing. I mean, the Abrahamic religions are far more geared towards it than most cultures - in western cultures our attitudes towards marriage has stemmed from Indo-European traditions, not Judeo-Christian semitic traditions.

The Bible is full of people, especially in the Old Testament, who have more than one wife, and then several concubines on top of that. This seems to have been lost in Judeo-Christian culture due to the influence of being under the rule of monogomous cultures, such as the Greeks and Romans where only one wife was the norm. Some sects of Islam still permit polygamy because Islam had far less direct exposure to Indo-European traditions, but it gets this from its Jewish (or more broadly speaking semitic) heritage.

It's very interesting. Even in the Old English poems dealing with our pagan ancestors they only ever mention them having one wife. Just goes to show the Abrahamic attitude to women, I suppose.

Very interesting and all, but the thread's about Christianity. Regarding old Jewish practices Christians are somewhat separated from them via a certain new covenant that wipes the old clean, at least for them. You're right, but. Abrahamic religions and the number of wives had everything to do with wealth and keeping them supported, and having alliances with fellow men in a world in which women were property. Like some muslims still do.

I suggest the issue at hand remains the issue at hand.

**~~removeduser_487563287433~~** · February 02, 2010, 04:46 AM

Well yes but by the advent of Christianity the Jews had been under the rule, almost unbrokenly, by the Greeks and the Romans for centuries. Their polygamous tradition had probably already been entirely extinguished, as the Jews aped the culture of their rulers in order to better their own status. By the time Christian cultists came around polygamy would have been a sure fire way for their little religion to never get off the ground - and indeed polygamy was one of the things that the Romans accused them of.

**boofhead** · February 02, 2010, 07:25 AM

Originally Posted by Ferrets54

Well yes but by the advent of Christianity the Jews had been under the rule, almost unbrokenly, by the Greeks and the Romans for centuries. Their polygamous tradition had probably already been entirely extinguished, as the Jews aped the culture of their rulers in order to better their own status. By the time Christian cultists came around polygamy would have been a sure fire way for their little religion to never get off the ground - and indeed polygamy was one of the things that the Romans accused them of.

Just as well the New testament doesn't condone polygamy then. Or are you going to start talking about Mormons, which is what this thread is really about?

**~~removeduser_487563287433~~** · February 02, 2010, 07:28 AM

Originally Posted by boofhead

Just as well the New testament doesn't condone polygamy then. Or are you going to start talking about Mormons, which is what this thread is really about?

Is it? I was not aware. But like I said, the reason the New Testament doesn't condone polygamy is purely political.

**boofhead** · February 02, 2010, 07:39 AM

Originally Posted by Ferrets54

Is it? I was not aware.

If it goes on long enough it will be.

But like I said, the reason the New Testament doesn't condone polygamy is purely political.

Jesus spoke about husbands and wives becoming one. And he tended to speak in favour of Jewish cultural trends, after all he was a Jew and considered a rabbi by many.

There really isn't much in the Torah about multiple wives, unless you're talking about actual kings.

And as far as I know, Jesus didn't wander about annoying kings. He wandered about speaking to the downtrodden.

The downtrodden are not the polygamists.