Category Archives: Polygamy

Lynn A. Thompson, President of the Priesthood of the Apostolic United Brethren, the largest Mormon fundamentalist religion, quietly passed away this week on October 5, 2021.

Mormon fundamentalist religion is a term used by both early leaders of the movement and leaders within the LDS Church to differentiate themselves from those who continued the controversial marital practice. According to the Apostolic United Brethren, they were charged with continuing the fundamentals of the faithnamely polygamyafter the LDS Church essentially brought an end to the practice in 1904.

Over the past two years, the legal and criminal status of polygamy in the US has once again been at the center of public attention. At the start of the 2020 Utah legislative session, Senator Deidre Henderson and Representative Lowry Snow introduced a bill that sought to effectively decriminalize polygamy in Utah. SB102 reclassified the practice as an infraction for consenting adults, whereas polygamy associated with other crimes remains a felony.

The bill passed by an astronomical margin. At the center of the bills debate was harm reduction, and further integrating polygamous families into wider Utah society. Among supporters were several of Thompsons children who left the faith as adults, and who recognized the criminal status of polygamy as contributing to a childhood marked by isolation, even within a more progressive fundamentalist movement.

While Mormon fundamentalism is most often associated with the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (FLDS), led by Warren Jeffs, the AUB has demonstrated the diversity of practice within the movement. Members of the community have frequently appeared on television shows such as My Five Wives and Sister Wives. Their public presence has forced people to interrogate their previously held ideas about polygamous Mormons in the U.S.

Despite media attention over the last decade, the AUB has always been a marginalized and criminalized faith. Beginning in 1933, in the face of governmental prosecution and persecution from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, polygamous Mormons sought a place of refuge to practice their faith. However, even in its earliest years, the polygamous Mormon movement was marked by schism.

In 1952, the fledgling polygamous Mormon community in Utah underwent a split. Those who were faithful to Joseph W. Musser looked to Rulon C. Allred as his successor and the new President of the Priesthood. Under Allred, the faith grew. Most notably, the group experienced a growth in membership after the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints desegregated their temples. Shortly after, the group officially incorporated as the Apostolic United Brethren (AUB). By 1970, the group had communities in Pinesdale, MT, as well as in Bluffdale and Rocky Ridge, UT.

When Allred died in 1977, he was succeeded by his brother, Owen Allred, followed by LaMoine Jenson, the man he appointed as his successor and who served as the leader of the community until 2014. Thompson assumed leadership of the group following Jensons death, bypassing more senior members of the priesthood organization.

Thompsons leadership was not without controversy. In November 2014, Rosemary Williams accused Thomson of abuse. Thompson denied the allegations, but was only met with additional accusations of embezzlement and abuse.

With the passing of this controversial Mormon Prophet, the AUB once again raises the question of who is recognized as Mormon (if anyone is) and how polygamy contributed to the isolation that marks the AUBs history. When LDS Church President Thomas S. Monson passed away in 2018, Latter-day Saints from across Utah visited the Conference Center at Temple Square to view their late prophet and pay their respects to his legacy. International leaders sent flowers that lined the Hall of Church Presidents, with Monsons casket situated at the end of the room decorated with images of his predecessors.

Like Monson, Thompson was upheld as the man designated to lead the faithful, speak on behalf of the divine, and seal families together for eternity. However, with limited media recognition of the death, the religious community that surrounded him will continue relatively unnoticed in the public sphere. Given the continued prevalence of polygamy in Utah, and the legal questions surrounding the faith Thompson led, the recognition of diversity within the Mormon Restoration is more important than ever.

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The Quiet Passing of Fundamentalist Mormon Prophet Lynn A ...

Polyamory: Withdrawal from responsibility or absolute trust?

Nowadays, people are often encouraged to follow their desires, no matter what. Its not surprising that polyamorous relationships arent as rare as they used to be. Monogamy feels unnatural to many people, so they start looking for a solution that wont destroy their relationships. Couples then introduce someone new in the bedroom or start seeing other people without changing anything else. It can make sex lives better in a functional way, but thats also why an incentive for less mature people to engage in polygamous dating: it looks like an easy way out of responsibility. But is polyamory the best way to connect with a partner, when its done right?

Definition and general considerations

First things first: the difference between polyamory and polygamy.

Most people nowadays want to experience polyamory, not polygamy, because they see it as a good way of trying new things. That has led to the creation of dating sites offering the possibility to join as a couple and look for partners online. Clearly this has been an enormous relief for polyamorous daters and meeting each other online means they are safe from prejudices some people still have. Today any couple seeking women can find bisexual girls looking to connect with open-minded couples, and of course there are men looking for the same. Of course, the chat is rarely dull, and singletons exchange explicit content with couples on the site, but polyamory isnt only about sex. There must be chemist and trust otherwise, it could ruin their relationship. Thats why many couples talk about rules before meeting girls on dating sites. Other than the public opinion that polyamory is just the product of lust, there are some more obstacles polyamorous people have to face, and some common misconceptions. Those not in the know sometimes think those involved in polyamory spread STDs around, and thats no truer than for anyone else seeking consensual sexual liaisons. Its such a silly assumption, and theres no need to explain how protection works! Another commonly held and often misguided belief is that someone always gets hurt in the end, which is no more true than for a monogamous relationship: there is always a risk. Even if the relationship lasts forever, one side will suffer when their partner dies. There is no painless path in love, so the risk of getting hurt shouldnt stop people from looking for what they need.

Polyamory in homosexual and heterosexual relationships

Some people think that they have to be bisexual to engage in polyamory. Thats not true gay couples can introduce someone new into their sex lives and be polyamorous without venturing outside of their norm. When straight couples seek polyamorous adventures, in many cases they want to meet women who are either gay or bisexual. It rarely happens that another 100% straight girl joins a heterosexual couple. It can cause jealousy and competition, and that risk is there for gay couples too. Lesbian couples also seek other likeminded women for polyamory. One the whole, the shared trait of all polyamorous relationships is that those involved are open to new things and want to make each other feel good. They can lift the spirits in the same way new decoration brightens up a home, but in order to safely have such a relationship and avoid disaster its important to be cautious. Someone who is single and looking for a couple (regardless of their sexual orientation) should them what they want to get out of the situation and ensure the answer is compatible with their desires. If it isnt, its best not to force anything.

Couples seeking singles for dating should be on the same page about their preferences as well. If they cant agree on the type of person they want, they cant expect to be any good at polyamory.

Lust or trust?

For outsiders, it can seem that polyamory is a tool for horny people to assuage the lusty beasts within them. However, thats rarely true one of the many things everyone should know about polyamory is that in many cases lust isnt the motive, though of course it can be for some singles and couples. In fact, most couples seeking polyamory do it to make their relationship better: letting someone new into the bedroom is a sign of the ultimate trust, not lust. Most people are too insecure to give comments about hot people in front of their partners, let alone invite them to join in. People in polyamorous relationships dont have that problem they know honesty is ok, and they dont get upset if their partner finds someone else attractive. It doesnt matter because theyre sure their relationship is safe. In many ways, polyamorous couples show more love and respect to each other than monogamous couples.

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Polyamory: Withdrawal from responsibility or absolute trust? - The Upcoming

In this article we are going to present you the history of polygamy. By studying the history of polygamy you are going to better understand how everything works and what are the motivations in the past that have made this practice accepted.

The polygamy comes mainly in three different forms: polygyny (where a man has more than two wives at the same time), polyandry (where a woman has more than one husband) and there are also the plural marriages (where a family is made out of multiple husbands and wives at the same time).

The history of polygamy dates back to a long time ago, since this has been practiced for many centuries by cultures from all over the world. The Hebrew society has partially accepted polygamy and there are traces that say that it happened in the classical China too. The polygamy was also encountered sporadically at the Native Americans, in the West African continent, Polynesia, India and the ancient Greece.

The polygamy was widely accepted throughout the world until the Roman Empire and the Roman Catholic Church has imposed the rules of having just one wife, but multiple other lovers were the norm.

The polygamy was widely accepted during the last two thousands of years in the Sub-Saharan Africa also.

However in the Hebrew Bible, the polygamy was permitted only if a man has more than one wife, at the same time if a woman had more than one husband, it was seen as adultery.

In the United States the polygamy was allowed back at the early years of the history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (which was also known as LDS Church). However all this ended back in the year 1890 when Wilford Woodruff was the president. But officially it was the year 1899 when the members of this church began to be thrown out for being polygamous. This way there were a few different and new sects that separated from the LDS Church that continue to practice the polygamy even if the polygynous marriages have started to be an illegal practice in the United States.

The historical China has an even more interesting story to tell. Back in those days a child was considered to have more than one mother and he could have up to 4 monthers. The first wife was considered to be the official mother (in spoken language it was called big monther) while the others were the unofficial mothers (in spoken language they were called little mother or aunt).

This way the polygamous marriages were generally made out of one main wife, which was called the queen wife that has a higher status compared to the other wives and at the same time it also has a higher authority among the other wives.

Excerpt from:

History of Polygamy - Polygamy.com

Polygamy in Christianity

Polygamy is "the practice or custom of having more than one wife or husband at the same time."[1] Polygamy has been practiced by many cultures throughout history.[2]:3

Although the Old Testament describes numerous examples of polygamy among devotees to God, most Christian groups have historically rejected the practice of polygamy and have upheld monogamy alone as normative. Nevertheless, some Christians groups in different periods have practiced, or currently do practice, polygamy.[3][4] Some Christians actively debate whether the New Testament or Christian ethics allows or forbids polygamy and there are several Christian views on the Old Covenant. This debate focuses almost exclusively on polygyny (one man having more than one wife) and not polyandry (one woman having more than one husband).

The Torah contains a few specific regulations that apply to polygamy,[5] such as Exodus 21:10: "If he take another wife for himself; her food, her clothing, and her duty of marriage, shall he not diminish".[6] Deut 21:1517, states that a man must award the inheritance due to a first-born son to the son who was actually born first, even if he hates that son's mother and likes another wife more;[7] and Deut 17:17 states that the king shall not have too many wives.

The Torah may distinguish concubines and "sub-standard" wives with the prefix "to" (e.g., lit. "took to wives").[8] Despite these nuances to the biblical perspective on polygamy, many important figures had more than one wife, such as in the instances of Esau (Gen 26:34; 28:6-9),[6] Jacob (Gen 29:15-28),[6] Elkanah (1 Samuel 1:1-8),[6] David (1 Samuel 25:39-44; 2 Samuel 3:2-5; 5:13-16),[6] and Solomon (1 Kings 11:1-3).[6]

Despite its prevalence in the Hebrew Bible, some scholars do not believe that polygyny was commonly practiced in the biblical era because it required a significant amount of wealth.[9] Michael Coogan (and others), in contrast, states that "Polygyny continued to be practiced well into the biblical period, and it is attested among Jews as late as the second centuryCE".[10][11][12]

The monogamy of the Roman Empire was the cause of two explanatory notes in the writings of Josephus describing how the polygamous marriages of Herod the Great were permitted under Jewish custom.[13][14]

Polygamy was a rare exception in post-exilic Israel.[15] The practice began to be criticized and declined during the intertestamental period[16]:5962 but there is some extant evidence of polygamy being practiced in the New Testament period.[16][17]:365 The Dead Sea Scrolls show that several smaller Jewish sects forbade polygamy before and during the time of Jesus.[18][19][20] The Temple Scroll (11QT LVII 1718) seems to prohibit polygamy.[19][21]

Three passages in the pastoral epistles (1Timothy 3:2, 1Timothy 3:12 and Titus 1:6) state that church leaders should be the "husband of one wife." This has been read by some Christian denominations as a prohibition of polygamy. Others argue that polygamy is allowed, but not for church leaders. Still others argue that the passage only prevents church leaders from divorcing their first wives. In his 1990 book Walter Lock argues that it simply prevents marital unfaithfulness[22] since "no Christian, whether an overseer or not, would have been allowed to practice polygamy."[23]

In 1 Corinthians Paul the Apostle states that a man is to have his own wife and a woman is to have her own husband.

Now concerning the matters about which you wrote: "It is good for a man not to have sexual relations with a woman." But because of the temptation to sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife and each woman her own husband. The husband should give to his wife her conjugal rights, and likewise the wife to her husband. For the wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does. Likewise the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does. Do not deprive one another, except perhaps by agreement for a limited time, that you may devote yourselves to prayer; but then come together again, so that Satan may not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.

Matthew Henry comments on 1 Corinthians 7:

II. He informs them that marriage, and the comforts and satisfactions of that state, are by divine wisdom prescribed for preventing fornication (v. 2), PorneiasFornications, all sorts of lawless lust. To avoid these, Let every man, says he, have his own wife, and every woman her own husband; that is, marry, and confine themselves to their own mates. And, when they are married, let each render the other due benevolence (v. 3), consider the disposition and exigency of each other, and render conjugal duty, which is owing to each other. For, as the apostle argues (v. 4), in the married state neither person has power over his own body, but has delivered it into the power of the other, the wife hers into the power of the husband, the husband his into the power of the wife. Note, Polygamy, or the marriage of more persons than one, as well as adultery, must be a breach of marriage-covenants, and a violation of the partner's rights. And therefore they should not defraud one another of the use of their bodies, nor any other of the comforts of the conjugal state, appointed of God for keeping the vessel in sanctification and honour, and preventing the lusts of uncleanness, except it be with mutual consent (v. 5) and for a time only, while they employ themselves in some extraordinary duties of religion, or give themselves to fasting and prayer. Note, Seasons of deep humiliation require abstinence from lawful pleasures. But this separation between husband and wife must not be for a continuance, lest they expose themselves to Satan's temptations, by reason of their incontinence, or inability to contain. Note, Persons expose themselves to great danger by attempting to perform what is above their strength, and at the same time not bound upon them by any law of God. If they abstain from lawful enjoyments, they may be ensnared into unlawful ones. The remedies God hath provided against sinful inclinations are certainly best.

John Gill comments on 1 Corinthians 7 and states that polygamy is unlawful; and that one man is to have but one wife, and to keep to her; and that one woman is to have but one husband, and to keep to him and the wife only has a power over the husband's body, a right to it, and may claim the use of it: this power over each other's bodies is not such, as that they may, by consent, either the husband allow the wife, or the wife the husband, to lie with another.[citation needed]

Although the New Testament is largely silent on the issue, some point to Jesus' repetition of the earlier scriptures, noting that a man and a wife "shall become one flesh." (Genesis 2:24, Matthew 19:36) However, some look to the 1 Corinthians 6:16: "Or do you not know that he who is joined to a prostitute becomes one body with her? For, as it is written, "The two will become one flesh."" Supporters of polygamy claim this indicates a physical, rather than spiritual, union.[citation needed]

Most Christian theologians argue that in Matthew 19:39 and referring to Genesis 2:24 Jesus explicitly states a man should have only one wife:

Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female, And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh?

Polygamists do not dispute that in marriage "two shall be one flesh", they only disagree with the idea that a married man can only be "one flesh" with one woman. Assuming the man is married, the fact that a man can even be "one flesh" with a harlot apparently does not negate his being "one flesh" with his wife.[25] Further, if a man is married, he and his wife are "one flesh." To add another wife would mean that the new wife becomes "one flesh" with the man and his current wife. Gill argues that polygamists in disagreeing with the idea that a married man can only be "one flesh" with one woman are in fact disagreeing with Apostle Paul, who makes it clear that in the Christian Covenant the man who already has one wife can not add another wife because his body belongs to the one wife and is no longer his; if the man adds another wife, then that woman is coveting another woman's husband. In the Christian Covenant, a woman shalt not covet another woman's husband just like in the Mosaic covenant a man is shalt not covet another man's wife.[26][27]

Many critics of polygamy also point to the Pauline epistles that state that church officials should be respectable, above reproach, and the husband of a single wife. (1 Timothy 3,Titus 1) Hermeneutically, the Greek phrase mias gunaikos andra is an unusual Greek construction, capable of being translated in multiple ways, including (but not limited to): 1) "one wife man," (prohibiting plural marriage) or 2) "a wife man" (requiring elders to be married) or 3) "first wife man" (prohibiting divorcs from ordination).[28]

In the time around Jesus' birth, polygamy (also called bigamy or digamy in texts) was understood as having several spouses consecutively, as evidenced for example by Tertullian's work De Exhortatione Castitatis. Paul the Apostle allowed widows to remarry (1 Cor. vii. 39. and 1 Tim 5:1116). Paul says that only women older than 60 years can make the list of Christian widows,[clarification needed] but that younger widows should remarry to hinder sin. Some conclude that by requiring leaders of the Church be monogamous, Paul excluded remarried widowers from having influence. Perpetual monogamy - even after the death of ones spouse - would have been a more strict understanding of monogamy than Roman law codified, and would have been a new and unusual demand on men.[citation needed]

On this subject William Luck writes:

Thus it is most probable that the qualifications list sees the "husband of one wife" as a condemnation of porneiaunlawful sex, though doubtless the clause also prohibited adulterysex with someone elses wife, polygyny was out of sight and mind. The issue is not the number of covenant relations the man hadhe would only have had one at a time, since the empire was monogamousbut his womanizing. This of course does not eliminate the grievous sin of marrying and divorcing in order to have sexual relations with a number of women. But that too is not the issue in polygyny.[30]

Jewish polygamy clashed with Roman monogamy at the time of the early church:

"When the Christian Church came into being, polygamy was still practiced by the Jews. It is true that we find no references to it in the New Testament; and from this some have inferred that it must have fallen into disuse, and that at the time of our Lord the Jewish people had become monogamous. But the conclusion appears to be unwarranted. Josephus in two places speaks of polygamy as a recognized institution: and Justin Martyr makes it a matter of reproach to Trypho that the Jewish teachers permitted a man to have several wives. Indeed when in 212 A.D. the lex Antoniana de civitate gave the rights of Roman Citizenship to great numbers of Jews, it was found necessary to tolerate polygamy among them, even though it was against Roman law for a citizen to have more than one wife. In 285 A.D. a constitution of Diocletian and Maximian interdicted polygamy to all subjects of the empire without exception. But with the Jews, at least, the enactment failed of its effect; and in 393 A.D. a special law was issued by Theodosius to compel the Jews to relinquish this national custom. Even so they were not induced to conform."[31]:560

Tertullian, who lived at the turn of the 2nd and 3rd centuries, wrote that marriage is lawful, but polygamy is not:

"We do not indeed forbid the union of man and woman, blest by God as the seminary of the human race, and devised for the replenishment of the earth and the furnishing of the world and therefore permitted, yet singly. For Adam was the one husband of Eve, and Eve his one wife, one woman, one rib."

The 3rd century Eusebius of Caesarea wrote the lost work "On the Numerous Progeny of the Ancients". Eusebius references this twice, in the Prparatio Evangelica,[33] and in the Demonstratio Evangelica.[34] Although his work has been given as an example of plural marriage being reconciled with the ascetic life, the problem dealt with was the contrast presented by the desire of the Patriarchs for numerous offspring and the honour in which continence was held by Christians.[35]

Basil of Caesarea wrote in the 4th century of plural marriage that "such a state is no longer called marriage but polygamy or, indeed, a moderate fornication."[36] He ordered that those who are engaged in it should be excommunicated for up to five years, and "only after they have shown some fruitful repentance"[36] were they to be allowed back into the church. Moreover, he stated that the teachings against plural marriage are "accepted as our usual practice, not from the canons but in conformity with our predecessors."[36]Augustine wrote in the second half of the 4th century that

"That the good purpose of marriage, however, is better promoted by one husband with one wife, than by a husband with several wives, is shown plainly enough by the very first union of a married pair, which was made by the Divine Being Himself."

and "The Sacrament of marriage of our time has been so reduced to one man and one wife, as that it is not lawful to ordain any as a steward of the Church, save the husband of one wife."[38]

Socrates of Constantinople wrote in the 5th century that the Roman Emperor Valentinian I took two wives and authorized his subjects to take two wives, supporting that Christians were then practicing plural marriage.[39]:398 There is no trace of such an edict in any of the extant Roman Laws. Valentinian I divorced his first wife according to John Malalas, the Chronicon Paschale and John of Nikiu, before marrying his mistress, which was viewed as bigamy by Socrates, since the Church did not accept divorce.

Justin Martyr, Irenaeus and Tertullian all spoke against polygamy, condemning it. Tertullian explicitly tackled the objection that polygamy was allowed for the patriarchs. He wrote, "each pronouncement and arrangement is (the act) of one and the same God; who did then indeed, in the beginning, send forth a sowing of the race by an indulgent laxity granted to the reins of connubial alliances, until the world should be replenished, until the material of the new discipline should attain to forwardness: now, however, at the extreme boundaries of the times, has checked (the command) which He had sent out, and recalled the indulgence which He had granted". (De Monogamia chapt. VI.) According to chapter XVI of De Monogamia, Hermogenes thought it was allowed for a man to take several wives. Tertullian also made a direct attack on the polygamous practice of some cults in his work Adversus Hermogenem. This is the same Hermogenes mentioned above. Tertullian writes that he was a sect leader, who mixed Stoic, Gnostic and Christian views to create a new religion.

The Church held a synod in Hertford, England, in 673 that was supervised by Archbishop Theodore. Chapter 10 issued by the synod declared that marriage is allowed between one man and one woman, and separation (but not divorce) is only granted in the case of adultery, but even then remarriage is not allowed.[40]

In the medieval period, multiple wives were often obtained through kidnapping. It is with this in view that we must interpret the following laws: The Frankish Laws of 8189 strictly forbade kidnapping of women.[41] The XXVII. law issued by King Stephen I of Hungary (10001030) declares that the kidnapper must return the woman to her parents even if he has had sexual intercourse with her, and must pay a penalty to the parents. According to the Hungarian law, the kidnapped girl was then free to marry whomever.[41]

The Roman councils of 1052 and 1063 suspended from communion those laymen who had a wife and a concubine at the same time.[42] Divorce was also forbidden, and remarriage after a divorce counted as polygamy. Nicholas the Great (85867) forbade Lothair II of Lotharingia to divorce his barren wife Teutberga and marry his concubine Waldrada, with whom he had several children. After a council of the Lotharingian bishops, as well as the archbishop of Kln and Trier had annulled his marriage to Theutberga, the pope voided this decision, and made him take his wife back.[43][44]

In Scandinavia, the word for an official concubine was "frille". Norwegian Bishop ystein Erlendsson (ca. 11201188) declared that concubines were not allowed to accept the sacraments unless they married, and men were forced to promise marriage to women they had lain with outside of wedlock. In 1280, the Norwegian king Eirik Magnusson (128099) declared that men were exempted from having to promise marriage to the frille if they went to confession and did penance. The Church answered by making several declarations in the 14th century, urging men to marry their concubines. In 1305, King Hkon V (12701319) issued a law that declared marriage to be the only lawful way of cohabitation, and declared that only women in wedlock were allowed to dress as they pleased, while the dress of concubines was restricted.[45]

When asked for an opinion on polygamy in 1526, Luther wrote, "It is my earnest warning and counsel that Christians especially shall have no more than one wife, not only because it is a scandal, which a Christian should avoid most diligently, but also because there is no word of God here to show that God approves it in Christians.... I must oppose it, especially in Christians, unless there be need, as for instance if the wife be a leper, or be taken away from the husband in some other way."

Monogamy was the norm among Christians,[46][47] However, in the context of the sickness of a wife preventing matrimonial intercourse,[48] the founder of the Protestant Reformation, Martin Luther wrote: "I confess that I cannot forbid a person to marry several wives, for it does not contradict the Scripture. If a man wishes to marry more than one wife he should be asked whether he is satisfied in his conscience that he may do so in accordance with the word of God. In such a case the civil authority has nothing to do in the matter."[49][50]

Arthur Cushman McGiffert also states,

"Some of the radical Anabaptists undertook to introduce polygamy, appealing to the patriarchal order of society in justification of their position. Even among Luther's followers and associates there was no little uncertainty about the matter, as was not altogether surprising when the old order of things was undergoing revision at so many points, including the marriage of monks, priests, and near relatives. But Luther himself was unalterably opposed to any such revolution. Monogamy he considered, under ordinary circumstances, alone tolerable in a Christian community, and held that no Christian ruler has any moral right to legalize polygamy. At the same time, finding no explicit prohibition in the Bible, he believed exceptions might be allowed in certain extreme cases such as are now generally recognized in Protestant countries as justifying divorce."[51]

Lutheran theologians approved of Philip of Hesse's polygamous marriages to Christine of Saxony and Margarethe von der Saale for this purpose, as well as initial disapproval of divorce and adultery. As well as Phillip, there was much experimentation with marital duration within early German Lutheranism amongst clergy and their erstwhile wives.[52]The theologian Philipp Melanchthon likewise counseled that Henry VIII need not risk schism by dissolving his union with the established churches to grant himself divorces in order to replace his barren wives, but reluctantly, and with remorse afterward, consented that polygamy was an allowable alternative.[53]

Anabaptist leader Bernhard Rothmann initially opposed the idea of plural marriage. However, he later wrote a theological defense of plural marriage, and took nine wives himself, saying "God has restored the true practice of holy matrimony amongst us."[54]:141 Franz von Waldeck and the other enemies of Anabaptist leader John of Leiden accused him of keeping 16 wives, and publicly beheading one when she disobeyed him. This was used as the basis for their conquest of Mnster in 1535.[55]

The 16th-century Italian Capuchin monk, Bernardino Ochino, 77 years old and never married, wrote the "Thirty Dialogues", wherein Dialog XXI was considered a defense of plural marriage. Evidently, he borrowed some of his strongest arguments from a Lutheran dialogue written in 1541 in favor of plural marriage which was written under the fictitious name Huldericus Necobulus in the interest of justifying Philip of Hesse.[56]

A different position was taken by the Council of Trent in 1563, which was opposed to polygyny[57]:p194 and concubinage, "If anyone says that it is lawful for Christians to have several wives at the same time, and that it is not forbidden by any divine law (Matt. 19:4f): let him be anathema".[57]:202203 The polemicist John Milton expressed support for polygamy in his De doctrina christiana.[58][59]

The Lutheran pastor Johann Lyser strongly defended plural marriage in a work entitled "Polygamia Triumphatrix".[39]:398 As a result, he was imprisoned, beaten and exiled from Italy to the Netherlands. His book was burned by the public executioner.[60] He never married nor desired wedlock.[60] Samuel Friedrich Willenberg, a doctor of law at the University of Cracow wrote the pro-plural marriage book De finibus polygamiae licitae. In 1715, his book was ordered to be burned. Friedrich escaped with his life, but was fined one hundred thousand gold pieces.[60]

One of the more notable published works regarding the modern concept of Christian plural marriage dates from the 18th century. The book Thelyphthora[61] was written by Martin Madan, a significant writer of hymns and a contemporary of John Wesley and Charles Wesley. Although Madan was an adherent only of polygyny in a Christian context, this particular volume set the foundation of what is considered the modern Christian plural marriage movement.

The Council of Trent condemns polygyny: "If any one saith, that it is lawful for Christians to have several wives at the same time, and that this is not prohibited by any divine law; let him be anathema."[62]

The Catechism forbids polygamy as a grave offense against marriage and contrary to the original plan of God and equal dignity of human beings.

Nevertheless, in parts of Africa such as Kenya, many Roman Catholics including catechists, have more than one wife although these people are usually not vocal about the cultural practice because it is in conflict with Roman Catholic teaching.[64]

Martin Luther deplored divorce (only permitting it in the cases of adultery and the Pauline privilege) and taught that that polygamy was allowed in Scripture, citing positive examples of it from the biblical patriarchs; as such in 1521, he granted the approval for a man to take a second wife, and again in 1539 for Philip I, Landgrave of Hesse to take a second wife.[65][66] The Lutheran World Federation hosted a regional conference in Africa, in which the acceptance of polygamists and their wives into full membership by the Lutheran Church in Liberia was defended as being permissible.[67] While the Lutheran Church in Liberia permits men to retain their wives if they married them prior to being received into the Church, it does not permit polygamists who have become Christians to marry more wives after they have received the sacrament of Holy Baptism.[68] Evangelical Lutheran missionaries in Maasai also tolerate the practice of polygamy and in Southern Sudan, some polygamists are becoming Lutheran Christians.[69]

Polygamy was first discussed during the Lambeth Conference of 1888:

A resolution dated 1958 and numbered 120 states that:

but adds:

The Twelfth Lambeth Conference held in 1988, in Resolution 26 - Church and Polygamy stated:

This Conference upholds monogamy as God's plan, and as the ideal relationship of love between husband and wife; nevertheless recommends that a polygamist who responds to the Gospel and wishes to join the Anglican Church may be baptized and confirmed with his believing wives and children on the following conditions:

In 2008 the Lambeth Conference noted:

Polygamy (which was called "plural marriage" by Mormons in the 19th century or "the Principle" as it is called by modern fundamentalist practitioners) was taught by leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church)[74] and publicly practiced from 1852 to 1890, nevertheless, it was not the norm but the exception, even during this period. On September 24, 1890, Wilford Woodruff, the president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at that time, issued the 1890 Manifesto, which advised church members against entering into any marriage prohibited by the law of the land, and made it possible for Utah to become a U.S. state. Nevertheless, even after the Manifesto, the church quietly continued to perform a small number of plural marriages in the United States, Mexico, and Canada,[a][76] thus a Second Manifesto was released during U.S. congressional hearings which were held in 1904. Although neither Manifesto dissolved existing plural marriages, plural marriage in the LDS Church gradually died by attrition during the early 1900s. The Manifesto was canonized in the LDS Church standard works as Official Declaration 1[77][78] and mainstream Mormons, believe it was prompted by a divine revelation in which Woodruff was shown that the church would be thrown into turmoil if they did not comply with it.[74] Mormon fundamentalists dispute the claim that Woodruff received any such revelation and as a result, they continue to practice plural marriage; these denominations include the Apostolic United Brethren and Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, among others.[79]

Interviewed by Time magazine about his book, Michael Coogan said that, from a strictly literalist view, fundamentalist Mormons are right about polygamy.[b]

William Luck states that polygyny is not prohibited by the Bible and it would have been required if a married man seduced (Ex. 22) or raped (Deut. 22) a virgin, as long as her father did not veto the marriage.[30]

However, in a book-length consideration of the problem, William George Blum argues that monogamy was always God's ideal.[81] He points out that in every Old Testament example where polygynous families are described in any detail, family strife which involves the plural wives is also described. He argues that the concept of two becoming one flesh makes polygamy a violation of God's plan for marriage.

On August 29, 2017, the Council on Biblical Manhood and Womanhood released a manifesto on human sexuality which is known as the "Nashville Statement". The statement was signed by 150 evangelical leaders, and it includes 14 points of belief.[82] Among other things, it states, "We deny that God has designed marriage to be a homosexual, polygamous, or polyamorous relationship."[83][84]

However, an estimated 50,000 Evangelical Christians practice Christian polygamy in the West, based on their belief that the Bible glorifies this form of marriage, which they justify by citing the fact that many biblical prophets had multiple wives, including David, Abraham, Jacob and Solomon.[4] Individual evangelical Christian pastors have married more than one woman throughout Christendom.[85][86][3] The Presbyterian missionary Harold Turner acknowledged the fact that the practice of polygamy was a cultural norm in some parts of the world, such as Africa, and based on it, he cautioned Western Christian missionaries not to impose the foreign cultural norm of monogamy on the Christians of Africa because doing so would lead to the sin of divorce, leaving children without both of their parents, and leading divorced wives to remarry.[87]

What have we done to the Africans in the name of Christianity? Polygamy which Christ does not forbid, we have fought against as the greatest of all evils, but divorce and remarriage which he does forbid, we have introduced. We have truly managed to Europeanize them. Mission theory should teach us to preach the gospel but not our own national traditions.Harold Turner, Presbyterian missionary[87]

Indeed, in many cultures, there is the possibility that the image of Christianity can be marred when a cleric in a Christian denomination which opposes polygamy "suggests that these wives may marry others, while the community regards them as still married to the first man"; in these cases, the Church can be seen as "a promoter of immorality and a destroyer of home and family" and become a stumbling block to nonbelievers.[88]The Rev. Vincent Mulwa of Christ Pilgrim Restoration Centre opines that polygamy is a biblical practice, because it was the standard for various biblical prophets, and opposition to having more than one wife stems from Westerners imposing their views on Christians who belong to other cultures.[3]

The rest is here:

Polygamy in Christianity - Wikipedia

How does one approach a polygamous situation (as a potential second/subsequent wife)?

There are many different aspects to consider when one is thinking about a prospective polygamous marriage situation. If one is approached to become a second (or third, or fourth) wife, it is important to ask the honest questions and also flesh out the details -first to yourself, then to your potential spouse- before agreeing to polygamy. None of it can be taken lightly; monogamous marriage is already a challenge, and polygamous marriage is on a level of its own.

Here are a few important points you may want to consider:

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These are just some of the major factors to consider and investigate before going through with a polygamous marriage. Polygamy is not for the faint of heart or the poor of planning! The challenges are many, and more complicated than with monogamy. Even this list is just the beginning

What questions have you been too afraid to ask about polygamy? Leave your questions or concerns in the comment section, and stay tuned to see more answers in the future inshaAllah!

Read more:

What to Expect When You're ExpectingPolygamy - MuslimMatters

Roger Patterson, AiGU.S., refutes the notion that Scripture condones polygamy.

The Bible is an incredibly candid book when compared to the religious writings of other traditions. Rather than covering up the faults and flaws of its key figures, the Bible frequently shows us humanity in its deepest sin. A prime example of this is the transparent treatment of Davids adulterous relationship with Bathsheba and his murder of Uriah (2 Samuel 11). These sinful actions had real consequences from which we can draw lessons, and Davids repentance gives us a model to follow when we fall into sin. Likewise, the Bible records many instances of polygamy in the Old Testament, involving even some of the patriarchs of Israel.

Though our common usage of polygamy tends to be applied to a man with multiple wives, the word polygamy simply means multiple spouses. More accurately, polygyny would be one man with multiple wives, while polyandry would be one woman with multiple husbands. Bigamy is another word used for having two spouses. More recently, those who live in communities of open relationships have been called polyamorous, having multiple husbands, wives, boyfriends, and girlfriends in various arrangements. As we look at Scripture, none of these arrangements matches the structure of marriage given by God from the beginning.

When God created the universe, He did things in a very specific manner. Those descriptions are provided for us in Genesis 12. At the end of His creative activity, God pronounced the things He had made as being very good (Genesis 1:31). In Genesis 2 we learn the details of the creation of mankind. After creating Adam from the dust of the ground, God presented the beasts of the field and the birds of the air to Adam to name. When Adam found no suitable helper, God formed the first woman from Adams side.

And the Lord God said, It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him. Out of the ground the Lord God formed every beast of the field and every bird of the air, and brought them to Adam to see what he would call them. And whatever Adam called each living creature, that was its name. So Adam gave names to all cattle, to the birds of the air, and to every beast of the field. But for Adam there was not found a helper comparable to him.

And the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall on Adam, and he slept; and He took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh in its place. Then the rib which the Lord God had taken from man He made into a woman, and He brought her to the man.

And Adam said: This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man. Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.

And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed. (Genesis 2:1825)

Lets look closely at this passage and note several key phrases that indicate Gods intent for marriage to be monogamousone man for one woman. First, God intended to make a helper for Adam, not several helpers. Second, from one rib God made one woman for Adam. Genesis 2:24 reveals the pattern of a man leaving his family to be joined to his wife, not wives. This union is then described as becoming one flesh.

Jesus confirmed this understanding of marriage when he was asked about divorce by the Pharisees. This is recorded in Mark 10:112 and Matthew 19:112. In His response Jesus quoted from Genesis 2, confirming that His understanding of marriage was one man for one woman. Confirming the covenantal nature of marriage, Jesus said that divorce was only allowed because of the hardness of the hearts of man. God intended, from the beginning, for marriages to consist of one man and one woman for the duration of their lives. Divorce and polygamy were regulated in the laws given to Moses, but polygamy was recorded long before then.

The first reference to polygamy is found in Genesis 4 in the lineage of Cain. Of Lamech, a descendant of Cain, we read:

Then Lamech took for himself two wives: the name of one was Adah, and the name of the second was Zillah. And Adah bore Jabal. He was the father of those who dwell in tents and have livestock. His brothers name was Jubal. He was the father of all those who play the harp and flute. And as for Zillah, she also bore Tubal-Cain, an instructor of every craftsman in bronze and iron. And the sister of Tubal-Cain was Naamah.

Then Lamech said to his wives:Adah and Zillah, hear my voice;Wives of Lamech, listen to my speech!For I have killed a man for wounding me,Even a young man for hurting me.If Cain shall be avenged sevenfold,Then Lamech seventy-sevenfold. (Genesis 4:1925)

Before the Flood, we have a clear distortion of what God had intended for marriage. To compound Lamechs sin, he brags of his murderous deeds. The Flood was brought upon the earth to judge the sinfulness of mankind, including the sins committed by Lamech.

After the Flood, there are many mentions of polygamous relationshipsincluding among the patriarchs of Israel. Abraham, Jacob, David, and Solomon all had multiple wives. It is interesting to note that there are no passages in Scripture that clearly state, No man should have more than one wife. However, polygamous relationships are never mentioned in a positive light, and, indeed, the problems of such relationships are presented.

Consider the consequences revealed in Scripture in each of the following cases: Abrahamled to bitterness between Sarah and her maid, Hagar, and the eventual dismissal of Hagar and Ishmael; Jacobled to Rachels jealousy of Leah and to Joseph being betrayed and sold by his half-brothers; Davidled to the rape of one of his daughters (Tamar) by one of his sons (Tamars half-brother Amnon) and Amnons subsequent murder by Tamars brother Absalom; Solomonhis many wives turned away his heart from the Lord and to the worship of false gods (1 Kings 11:18). Just because the Bible records polygamous relationships does not mean that God approves of such things.

The only direct command against polygamy is given to the kings that were to rule Israel, as they are told not to multiply wives to themselves (Deuteronomy 17:17). It is also interesting to note that polygamous relationships seem to be regulated in the commands Moses gave to the nation of Israel. Leviticus 18:18 instructs that a man should not marry sisters, and Deuteronomy 21:15 talks of assigning an heir to a man with two wives. Many commentators suggest that the passages do not endorse polygamy but rather prohibit it. Deuteronomy 21:15 may also be translated as has had two wives in succession rather than at the same time. The sisters in Leviticus 18:18 are understood by some to be any Israelite women. Regardless of the interpretation of these passages, the taking of multiple wives is not in accord with Gods design from the beginning.

Moving to the New Testament, there are several passages that can be understood to speak against polygamous relationships. The first to come to the mind of many would be the qualifications for leaders in the church given by the Apostle Paul to Timothy and Titus. In 1 Timothy 3:2 and 12 and Titus 1:6, we are told that leaders of the church must be the husband of one wife.

In 1 Corinthians 7:116 Paul answered questions that the Corinthian church had about marriage. In this passage Paul used the singular form of wife and husband throughout the passage. In fact, this is true of the New Testament writers in general.

Scripture compares the relationship of husband and wife to that of Christ and the church. In Ephesians 5:2533 Paul explained this relationship and referred back to Genesis 2:24. Once again, Gods standard for marriage is defined as one man and one woman. Paul finished this analogy by stating, let each one of you in particular so love his own wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband (Ephesians 5:33).

Other religions have promoted polygamy. For example, according to Sura 4:3 of the Koran, Islamic men are allowed to take up to four wives under certain circumstances. Muhammad was granted the privilege of many wives in Sura 33 and had many wives. Modern Muslims practice polygamy in various ways according to their cultural context.

Historically, members of the Latter-day Saints (LDS or Mormons) practiced polygamy, although the acceptance of the practice changed as new revelation was given to the prophets of the church. Initially, the Book of Mormon decried polygamy. Jacob 2:2328 and 3:58 denounce the practice of polygamy as an abomination before God. Likewise, the Doctrine and Covenants (a supposed revelation given to Joseph Smith) state clearly that marriage should be one man for one woman (D&C 42:22). Later writings of Smith allow for unlimited plural marriage to virgins (D&C 132:5166) and directly contradict what had been written earlier.1

Polygamy, more accurately polygyny, was practiced secretly by some Latter-day Saints from the 1830s until the 1850s, when the church admitted to the teaching after many previous denials. Eventually, they were pressured into denouncing polygamy after it was vigorously prosecuted by the federal government. From the 1870s on, many LDS leaders encouraged rebellion against the laws, but in 1890, LDS president Wilford Woodruff encouraged members to obey the laws.2 This caused a large split in the church, and new organizations were formed by those who continued the practice of polygamy and considered themselves as faithfully adhering to the commands of God over mans laws. Some secretly practiced polygamy while others abstained.3 What has become the mainline LDS Church currently denounces polygamy and claims that anyone who practices it is not a true Mormon.4 It is clear that, despite appeals to the patriarchs, the Bible was not the source of the Mormon doctrine of polygamy.

Despite these supposed additional revelations from God, the Bible makes it clear that He intends marriage to be between one man and one womanas it was from the beginning (Matthew 19:8; Mark 10:6). Any challenge to this teaching stands in opposition to Gods plan for His creation. This short chapter cannot exhaustively cover all of the issues related to polygamy, but we can look to the Bible as the standard for understanding the world we live in. As we face specific questions regarding plural marriage, let us prayerfully consider what God has revealed and apply the principles He has given us in Scripture.

Read more here:

What About Polygamy in the Bible? | Answers in Genesis

After spending close to $7 billion on Amazon Prime Video by 2019, Jeff Bezos reportedly had a simple message for his executive team, looking to craft content for its streaming arm: I want my Game of Thrones. And receive Bezos didthat is, adaptation rights for Robert Jordans fantasy series, The Wheel of Time, which currently comprises 14 novels and some 8,000 plus pages, an entire world of peoples and powers and organizations. At the center of this fantasy epicnessand, therefore, at the center of the reported $80 million first seasonare the Aes Sedai.

The success of the first season seems to rest on Amazons ability to faithfully bring these women to screen. To capture their powers and history and culture and politics. While the world of the Wheel of Time novels spans several domains of characters, the Aes Sedai will anchor the action of Amazons first season; they are the force that stands against the seasons main antagonists; they are the order sought by its principal characters and hunted by its white-adorned foes.

But after the opening episodes of the series, the Aes Sedai remain a force most readers will barely know how to spell, let alone understand enough to appreciate future actions. For more than enough information, you can check out A Wheel of Time Wiki, which chronicles every instance of Aes Sedai in fictional history.

To keep things simple, were breaking down the most important features of this magical order. Heres what you need to know about the Aes Sedai to follow the $80 million events of the first season of The Wheel of Time.

The Aes Sedai are an order of women, each with access to the One Powerwhich comes from the True Source, something like the lingering fumes following the creation of the world. Aes Sedai can access (or channel) this inexhaustible resource. Any woman who can channel the One Power or are born with the spark (channeling abilities on steroids) can become an Aes Sedai if properly trained. Egwene, the closest thing to a main character for the shows first season, is one such person born with a spark.

The ringsin the shape of an Ouroboros, or in the series called Great Serpent, a snake swallowing its tale and representing eternitydont give the Aes Sedai power. They are simply awarded to students after reaching a certain level of training.

The entire order of Aes Sedai is divided into Ajahs or individually-governed groups corresponding to a different color. Each has a separate philosophical focus.

Early on in the series we meet a Red Ajah hoping to capture men attempting to channel the one powercapturing them is the role of the Red Ajah.

The primary Aes Sedai we meet in season 1, Moiraine Damodred (Rosemand Pike) is a Blue Ajah, which focus on righteousness and justice.

Read more about the other colors here.

All the handsome men accompanying the Aes Sedai are Warders, bodyguards bonded psychologically and spiritually to the Aes Sedai. Each Aes Sedai is bonded to one Warner, though some polygamy is allowed.

This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano.io

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Who are the Aes Sedai in 'The Wheel of Time'? Rings, Explained - menshealth.com

What is Polygamy?

Polygamy consists of one person having multiple spouses and are usually faith-based. The most common form of polygamy is polygyny, which is where a man has multiple wives, and the opposite where a woman has multiple husbands is called polyandry. Be sure to check out our articles to learn more about polygamy and the poly community.

While polygamy and polyamory are both forms of consensual non-monogamy, they do have one main difference. Polygamy is specific to one person being married to multiple partners or sister wives, while polyamory refers to a wider range multi-partner relationships. At Sister Wives, we fully embrace all forms of polygamy and polyamory, and provide all members of the poly community the same opportunity to find the love they seek.

In the United States (and other countries) it is illegal to marry someone if you are still legally married to someone else. Poly relationships can still have weddings, but in order to comply with the law it can only be for ceremonial purposes. While we are optimistic that polygamy will one day be legalized, it is important to know that you can still have a happy, fulfilling polygamist relationship where you think of each other as spouses and live together, even if you arent legally married.

Read more:

Sister Wives | Polygamy Dating and Matchmaking Service

In the Conference Womens Issues, Opportunities, Threats, the reasons for the polygamy of the Prophet (p.b.u.h) will be examined.

AhlulBayt News Agency (ABNA):In the Conference Womens Issues, Opportunities, Threats, the reasons for the polygamy of the Prophet (p.b.u.h) will be examined.

The scientific conference Womens Issues, Opportunities and Threats on the topic of prominent women in the history of Islam will be held by the Department of Womens Affairs of International University of AhlulBayt (a.s.).

In the conference, the reasons for the polygamy of the Prophet Muhammad (p.b.u.h) will be examined.

The meeting will be held with the speech of Dr. Mohammad Hossein Rajabi Davani on Tuesday, November 9, 2021, at https://elc2.dpm.ir:443/rdyv1s5d32mi, and the participants will be awarded valid certificate.

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More here:

Rajabi Davani to examine Reasons for polygamy of the Prophet (pbuh) - Ahlul Bayt News Agency: Providing Shia News

Another episode of Mzansis most loved polygamy reality TV show, uThando Nesthembu aired on Thursday evening, and once again viewers are left astounded by the way in which the sister wives treat each other, and the attitude and bitterness that some of them have towards their husband, Musa Mseleku.

Last weeks uThando Nesthembu episode touched on the transport club that takes the Mseleku children to and from school on a daily basis.

During dinner, MaCele raised the issue and asked MaNgwabe why she has chosen to transport her kids to school and not let them join the transport club with the rest of the Mseleku children.

MaNgwabe said that it was nothing personal and that she chooses to transport her own children because it gives her the chance to bond with her children and spend more quality time with them.

uThando Nesthembu viewers were not pleased and satisfied with her response, and most felt that there was a bigger issue at hand which she does not want to disclose.

ALSO READ: Isthembu is never the answer: Viewers react to uThando Nesthembu

In Thursday evenings episode, Musa revealed to MaCele that the real reason MaNgwabe decided to pull her children out of the transport club was because MaKhumalos father (the transport driver) once asked MaNgwabes son to open the gate for him, and then asked him to assist in helping one of the other children get off the transport.

Musa explained that this was supposed to be kept a secret from MaNgwabe between himself and MaNgwabes sister, but she, unfortunately, found out what had happened through her sister.

MaCele then expressed how MaNgwabes children being taken out of the transport club has an effect on the whole family, because when MaNgwabe cannot transport her children, then she or any of the other wives have to step in to transport her children when there is a transport club that is already transporting the rest of Mselekus children.

I think BabMseleku and Mbali have their own issues that they need to resolve together and not involve us in some things because of their issues, said MaCele.

When Mseleku went to visit MaNgwabe to discuss the issue further, she said that she would be happy to let her children join the transport club again, but only if the driver who previously mistreated her children would be replaced.

Musa made it clear that her request would not be possible, because he cannot fire MaKhumalo father from doing his job.

Here is what uThando Nesthembu viewers had to say about Thursday evenings episode:

Original post:

uThando Nesthembu reactions: Theres nothing wrong with putting her kids first - The Citizen