[DIREWOLF75]

But at least,they thought twice before exchanging vows.
Cos it meant something,it was a decision to spent your whole life with a certain person,in good and bad times.

Now it is a circus.

Very true indeed.

No one is assuming that it should be looked down on it.

Only interpretation i could get out of Yukichi´s post.

It is just hard to imagine doing that with 3 or 2 persons in the same time.
+ I wouldn't like the idea that my child call's some other women "mommy" also.
Maybe i am looking that at the wrong way.But at least it is my way and opinion.

Certainly not "the wrong way". Your way, more like it. And the question then is, do you think that way because you were "programmed" to do so, or would you say the same from a totally neutral starting point? Society that you grow up in usually has a massive part in shaping viewpoints.

But as i said partially before, >2 person marriage societies have worked no worse than 2-person marriage societies do today.
I would even say that in many cases most worked considerably better, but of course part of that may be at least in part due to the quote from you that i started this post with... And if you start looking backwards in history, you can find some interesting "constellations" and for a great variety of reasons(overpopulation, underpopulation, war, famine, uncommonly good or bad healthcare, "insurance" etc etc).
And really, at the same time, the common family structure of today("1st world-style") with mother, father, children, historically that is an exceptional abnormality rather than "normal". Is it better or worse than for example the once very common practise of having more or less grandparents in the household?

My own opinion is really just that i dont care... My "opposition" is simply based on logic, that there is no good reason for it to be illegal, any more than there is for regular marriage to be made illegal for some nefarious reason.

[-Eulogy-]

Originally Posted by LaudanumEnlightened

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programme...nt/7953270.stm
After reading through and watching the videos from that article, I'm going to set up a series of questions if you wouldn't mind answering.

1. What are your beliefs on the matter of Polygamy in general?
2. What repercussions do you believe would happen supposing that Polygamy is legalized in Utah?
3. Do you believe that your religion's laws should be followed even if they clash with those of your Governments?
4. What you believe should be followed first State laws or Federal (Central Government) laws?

Sorry if it feels like a class lesson or something but I figured maybe it'll help structure the discussion seeing as there are plenty of separate debates packed into this topic. Feel free to add your own question or pm me and I'll add it to the list.

1 I'm of the persuasion that whatever two, three, seven, or twenty adults of sound mind choose to do amongst themselves that does not cause physical damage to others or property should be completely legal. I personally don't see the point to plural marriages, but I don't really understand the moral zeitgeist that opposes them.

2. Well, being from Utah, I can say that this will never happen--This is the first I'm reading of this quest to make it legal. The polygamists are viewed as a crazy outside group that don't really even live anywhere near even minor cities, just a few 'whackos' (as they're seen) off in the desert somewhere. I wouldn't anticipate any repercussions on the crazy chance that it would be made legal, other than being looked at funny when I tell people I'm from Utah.

3. I believe governmental laws should be adhered to. A lot of them are crazy and unnecessary, especially the ones punishing people for crimes without victims, but as stated previously by another poster, there is a right and wrong way to go about getting them changed.

4. Whichever is the least restrictive at the time I guess!

[ceruleandragon]

1. What are your beliefs on the matter of Polygamy in general?
2. What repercussions do you believe would happen supposing that Polygamy is legalized in Utah?
3. Do you believe that your religion's laws should be followed even if they clash with those of your Governments?
4. What you believe should be followed first State laws or Federal (Central Government) laws?

1. Money would be an issue. It would really come down to how wealthy parents are throughout the relationship. Because someone is going to watch over the kids it would most likely be the woman which would organize the system better as it is one husband and multiple wives and wives would prefer to stay close to their kids over other wives' children. The father would have to be very rich to provide all the necessary education, food, shelter for his family, and that would be one large family.

2. Having such a big family can become intimidating. What if they take control over the entire city by setting up businesses, the children growing up to spread far and wide in one surname then who knows...

3. Never. The government works with down to earth issues, religion can be freedom only if it doesn't hinder the rights of others. I don't like the idea of a real big bad family taking control of districts of your town like some kind of quiet and gentle mafia.

4. Hard question, I'm going to leave that one hanging sorry.

[Ocean2292]

1. I believe that polygamy was practiced by the early LDS (mormons) until Utah became a state. Polygamy was only practiced because Joseph Smith, whom we do not worship and believe to be a prophet like Moses or Noah, asked God why they practiced polygamy in the Old Testament. He received an answer and was told to practice it along with those who could bear the responsibility of having multiple wives. All polygamous marriages were "till death do us part", with the exception of one wife.
2. There are already polygamous compounds in Utah. It wouldn't change anything. Those people would just be married legally, too.
3. I believe that if there is a law that blatantly goes against my religious beliefs, that there is inherently something wrong with that government. I will protest, petition, and do all possible (legally) to bring about the change.
4. State laws. Certain States have Certain Issues, those problems should be able to be fixed by your state, and not made worse by poor Federal decisions.

[MaKin]

1. What are your beliefs on the matter of Polygamy in general?
I believe that if that husband and wives agree to it then I don't see why it should be a problem. Personally I would NEVER marry a man that wants another wife that's basically saying that the first wife isn't good enough so the guy need a more. And who would want to share their spouse with another person? It influences competition between both the wives and children for the father's love. Why can't women have multiple husbands is my question. Why does the world have to be so sexist? Obviously the people in the video seem to be happy but are they really? I could never live knowing that my spouse is married to other woman, thats just a direct insult to me.
2. What repercussions do you believe would happen supposing that Polygamy is legalized in Utah?
Honestly, I'm not sure, but I know some people would be very upset but over all since utah is full of Mormons it might not be a big problem, though not all mormons believe in polygamy.
3. Do you believe that your religion's laws should be followed even if they clash with those of your Governments?
No. The government's job is to protect the rights and liberties of all citizens no matter what religions or beliefs some of the citizens may have.
4. What you believe should be followed first State laws or Federal (Central Government) laws?
Federal laws should be fallowed first since that represents the country as a whole. It depends on the law like where I live, in the US, most laws depends on the state unless the supreme court rules that the law is unconstitutional (Against Citizen's Natural Rights) and that it must be overturned.

[Btmangan]

I don't see why Polygamy is illegal.

Certainly it's nothing I'd ever do... but who am I to judge what other people do? If people want to do it, why not let them?

The only thing that concerns me is reports of girls under 18 getting married into multiple-wife marriages. I don't agree with that on a statutory basis. I feel that in a lot of cases girls are bullied into these marriages, or directed into them by their families.

I don't believe in such marriages.... marriages should only come about once the bond of love has been tested and found to be true

[Phyrephox]

Originally Posted by Btmangan

I don't see why Polygamy is illegal.

Certainly it's nothing I'd ever do... but who am I to judge what other people do? If people want to do it, why not let them?

The only thing that concerns me is reports of girls under 18 getting married into multiple-wife marriages. I don't agree with that on a statutory basis. I feel that in a lot of cases girls are bullied into these marriages, or directed into them by their families.

I don't believe in such marriages.... marriages should only come about once the bond of love has been tested and found to be true

Marriage has nothing to do with love. Sad but true. It's an institution that regulates the exemptions and priviledges that people get for being spouses. There are social and economic benefits to that institution, such as medical coverage, federal and state tax breaks (that's why it's on the 1040 tax return forms). As well as rights given to immigrant spouses. It's MUCH easier to get a green card if you marry an American.

Think of how many people would claim citizenship if polygamy was legal. You could just sell yourself for a green card. There's plenty of people who want to get citizenship status. And a lot of fake marriages happening for it.

Although that doesn't explain the situation in Utah. That particular state is home to lots of cults and organizations that might abuse the system to escape paying the IRS. I don't know people really are shady. And if you give special priviledges to one state soon they're all going to want it too. Nothing good can come from legalizing polygamy.

[Btmangan]

Good point. I agree. Now that I think about it, it's just not legally compatible.

Our legal system can't support it.

[Phyrephox]

A few of you are associating polygamy with religion, polygamy isn't a religious aspect. And really you don't need the government approval to realize a second relationship, that's why we have mistresses, booty calls and friends with benefits. The only reason a person would want a government to recognize/allow for multiple marriages is to gain the economic benefits of such relationships.