Abrahamic Religions: Polygamy- yes or no?

[Tumah]

I can only speak for a Christian view and to an extent a Jewish view.

The Jewish view is that there's no problem with having more than one wife. Your argument from Genesis is a bad one:

1. It's talking about intercourse, not marriage
2. There is no verse in Genesis that says "the two shall become one". It literally says "and they shall be one flesh". There's no reason why this unification can't be performed multiple times with multiple partners.
3. There were only two people around. If there were three people and it said two, then two might be understood as limiting. When there are only two people, there's no reason to impose that interpretation on it.

That being said, there is an idea that having a second wife will cause strife in a household. The second wife is called a ṣarah which comes from the root ṣar or pain. But that's a personal choice. By Jewish Law it's permitted to have more than one wife.

The reason why we stopped is because about 1,000 years ago, the Jewish communities of Europe were starting to get become centers of their own. A ban was made in those communities on polygamy to lessen hostilities from their Christian neighbors. Included in the ban was a way to circumvent the ban when necessary. The ban only extended to Euopean communities where they hand to contend with Christian sensitivities. Which is why you can sometimes find Jews coming from Arab lands to Israel along with their multiple wives.

Incidentally, I had a Rabbi who is technically (by Jewish Law) married to two women. His first wife became permanently hospitalized due to insanity which renders her incapable of receiving a Bill of Divorce. So he accessed the workaround to get married to another woman.

 

[Rival]

My point is as humans we have came past the evolution drive of other animals of breeding all we can to pass on our genes. We have set standards and morals where we pick one and that's that. We can't be the dog that runs around the neighbourhood knocking up all the dogs in heat.

I see no reason to stick to one if a contract can be set up in such a way (i.e. marriage) to allow for more than one, though. That way, a person has the choice between one or more, and I think that's simply fairer. It's not easy to have more than one as it is expensive, time consuming and there will be more mouths to feed; but if you have the money, love children, love women and think you can do it, power to you imo.

 

[We Never Know]

I see no reason to stick to one if a contract can be set up in such a way (i.e. marriage) to allow for more than one, though. That way, a person has the choice between one or more, and I think that's simply fairer. It's not easy to have more than one as it is expensive, time consuming and there will be more mouths to feed; but if you have the money, love children, love women and think you can do it, power to you imo.

Then don't get married. Run and breed like the stray dog in the neighbourhood

 

[Subduction Zone]

as I pointed out, no polygamous marriage in the Bible was a happy one

Where does it say that? Those guys seem to be pretty happy to me.

 

[We Never Know]

I see no reason to stick to one if a contract can be set up in such a way (i.e. marriage) to allow for more than one, though. That way, a person has the choice between one or more, and I think that's simply fairer. It's not easy to have more than one as it is expensive, time consuming and there will be more mouths to feed; but if you have the money, love children, love women and think you can do it, power to you imo.

Or run around and breed. Someone will raise them, if not they will abort them. It's the American way right?

 

[We Never Know]

Where does it say that? Those guys seem to be pretty happy to me.

People always seem happy in a myth. It's reality that sucks for them.

 

[Subduction Zone]

Time for a bit of musical education:

 

[Rival]

What is immoral about having more than one partner?

 

[Riders]

No Abrahamic religion I know of allows 'swinging'

My Hindu friends also see things as 'one man one woman' for life usually

I have a Muslim fried who explained to my Indian friends he can have 4 wives and
the Indian ladies gave him a serious look and a talking to. (in a friendly way)

None of them are 'swingers' either

The church does not allow it but they do it anyways........

 

[Rival]

THREAD LOCKED PENDING REVIEW​

 

[ADigitalArtist]

*Mod Post* Thread reopened *Mod Post*

 

[Tranquil Servant]

Polygamy, polygyny, polyamorous, or whatever its called!.....I didn't realize I had to have a PhD in English to post a question!

Anyways.... I'm a Christian and as far as I know, in the bible we are encouraged to refrain and restrain ourselves from worldly and fleshly temptations.....Aaaand sex is one of them so for a man to wanna have more than one wife or for a person to wanna have more than one spouse, significant other, partner, etc... (you get it), especially nowadays, IT'S ONLY FOR SEX except for those countries where there are ongoing wars like some middle eastern countries.

 

[Riders]

Let me ask a question. I thought I had heard once other Christians from other faiths are practicing polygamy now. However when I watch the tv shows searching for a sister wife etc, they are all FLDS members. that was my feelings but perhaps I'm wrong. Just wondering if teh FLDS is the only group who practices it?

 

[sooda]

God originally said 'the two shall be one"

There are allot of things in the Bible where a less good choice is restrained by rules.
There are no happy cases of polygamous marriages in the Bible.

In the New Testament some would allow a person with multiple wives before becoming a Christian might continue. However after being a believer one man one woman is the rule.

More than that marriage today points forward to something greater and eternal
a relationship between Christ and the church

I can only speak for a Christian view and to an extent a Jewish view.

They used to expose infant girls.. Having multiple wives meant that all women had a family or tribe they belonged to.

 

[Twilight Hue]

From a religious point of view.....Polygamy - yes or no? And why? Scriptural proof preferred.
(Women especially!!)

Book of Solomon.

Pretty much settles the issue.

 

[sooda]

The Jewish view is that there's no problem with having more than one wife. Your argument from Genesis is a bad one:

1. It's talking about intercourse, not marriage
2. There is no verse in Genesis that says "the two shall become one". It literally says "and they shall be one flesh". There's no reason why this unification can't be performed multiple times with multiple partners.
3. There were only two people around. If there were three people and it said two, then two might be understood as limiting. When there are only two people, there's no reason to impose that interpretation on it.

That being said, there is an idea that having a second wife will cause strife in a household. The second wife is called a ṣarah which comes from the root ṣar or pain. But that's a personal choice. By Jewish Law it's permitted to have more than one wife.

The reason why we stopped is because about 1,000 years ago, the Jewish communities of Europe were starting to get become centers of their own. A ban was made in those communities on polygamy to lessen hostilities from their Christian neighbors. Included in the ban was a way to circumvent the ban when necessary. The ban only extended to Euopean communities where they hand to contend with Christian sensitivities. Which is why you can sometimes find Jews coming from Arab lands to Israel along with their multiple wives.

Incidentally, I had a Rabbi who is technically (by Jewish Law) married to two women. His first wife became permanently hospitalized due to insanity which renders her incapable of receiving a Bill of Divorce. So he accessed the workaround to get married to another woman.

You explained that very well.

 

[Tranquil Servant]

1 Corinthians 7
Concerning Married Life

 

[Wandering Monk]

Abraham married his half-sister then had her and her concubine.

That was before he left Kentucky though.

 

[Estro Felino]

I mean
..for example..polygamy means I am supposed to share this hot handsome man with other five women? No....never.

He is mine . Only mine. I could never do it.