Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

The case for polygamy (Why shouldn’t marriage equality apply to them, too?)
Daily Caller ^ | 06/27/2013 | Matt Lewis

Posted on 06/27/2013 8:59:20 AM PDT by SeekAndFind

Discussing the Supreme Court’s decision on gay marriage recently, Sen. Rand Paul joked about bestiality. This was unwise. If Paul wanted to make the slippery slope argument, the case for polygamy is much more compelling — and realistic.

This is not some straw man argument. As BuzzFeed’s McKay Coppins pointed out, polygamists are, in fact, celebrating the court’s decision. And they have every reason to do so. After all, why shouldn’t marriage equality apply to them, too?

The arguments are essentially the same. For example, Sen. Al Franken recently issued a statement saying, “Our country is starting to understand that it’s not about what a family looks like: it’s about their love and commitment to one another.” Polygamists couldn’t agree more.

I mean, who are we to say that two or three or even four consenting adults — who want to make a lifelong commitment to love one another — shouldn’t be allowed to do so?

What’s magical about the number two?

In fact, you could argue that there is an even better argument for polygamy than for same sex marriage. For one thing, there’s a long tradition (just look at the heroes of the Old Testament.) It’s also intimately tied to religious practice, which means that by prohibiting polygamy, we might also be undermining the “free exercise thereof.”

Why should we impose our values on others?

Now, you might say that there is historical evidence to support the fact that polygamy is bad for women and children. This is sophistry. The truth is that right now about half of all marriages end in divorce, and lots of kids are already struggling, so it’s not like traditional marriage is a panacea. Besides, nobody is forcing you to be a polygamist. This is a choice.

There are practical reasons, too. It’s harder and harder these days to make ends meet. As a man, I can only imagine how much more efficient it would be to have one wife in the workforce and another wife at home with the kids. This would be much better for the children than shipping them off to some nursery school. And having three parents is a lot better than having just one … or none.

So I think we should embrace this new world. This seems like a win/win/win if you ask me.


TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism; Culture/Society; Government; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: gaymarriage; homosexuality; marriage; polygamy
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-8081-93 next last
To: SeekAndFind

In the Old Testament, the punishment for homosexuality was death. The punishment for polygamy was multiple mother-in-laws.


21 posted on 06/27/2013 9:20:30 AM PDT by taxcontrol
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Jack Hydrazine
I remember reading in the local newspaper (some 15 or more years ago) about some guy here in the US who wanted to marry his car. The court he petitioned turned him down. No joke!

Did his mother object to the marriage?

22 posted on 06/27/2013 9:23:43 AM PDT by TigersEye ("No man left behind" is more than an Army Ranger credo it's the character of America.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 17 | View Replies]

To: Uncle Miltie
I really like steelhead trout. Why can’t I marry them all?

All of them!?! Even a guy name Miltie might have a hard time satisfying all of them.

23 posted on 06/27/2013 9:26:56 AM PDT by TigersEye ("No man left behind" is more than an Army Ranger credo it's the character of America.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 18 | View Replies]

To: Bernard Marx

Karl Marx,

“...communism abolishes eternal truths, it abolishes all religion, and all morality...Abolition of the family !...we destroy the most hallowed of relations...The bourgeois clap-trap about the family,about the hallowed co-relation of parent and child, becomes all the more disgusting... “

The Communist Manifesto.


24 posted on 06/27/2013 9:27:28 AM PDT by Para-Ord.45 (Happily in tutelage by the reflection that they have chosen their own guardians.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 9 | View Replies]

To: SeekAndFind

How about a way to get around inheritance laws? Marry your son or daughter? Besides, Muslims are into incest anyway.


25 posted on 06/27/2013 9:28:16 AM PDT by Truth29
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: SeekAndFind

It will. AS so will “marrying” dogs and horses and sheep...and getting “spousal” employer benefits. Rush called this over 15 years ago.


26 posted on 06/27/2013 9:30:20 AM PDT by CodeToad (Liberals are bloodsucking ticks. We need to light the matchstick to burn them off. -786 +969)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: SeekAndFind
The Bible puts them right next to each other.
27 posted on 06/27/2013 9:31:23 AM PDT by DannyTN
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: SeekAndFind

The inevitable push for polygamy is one of the reasons that I could not support Mitt Romney for president.


28 posted on 06/27/2013 9:31:47 AM PDT by Tau Food (Never give a sword to a man who can't dance.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: SeekAndFind
The Bible puts them right next to each other.

Lev 18:22 Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it [is] abomination.
Lev 18:23 Neither shalt thou lie with any beast to defile thyself therewith: neither shall any woman stand before a beast to lie down thereto: it [is] confusion.

29 posted on 06/27/2013 9:31:53 AM PDT by DannyTN
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: SeekAndFind

Re the discussion on polygamy, I suggest considering instead the idea of multi-party marriage contracts made for business and financial reasons. And not merely one-marriage with many partners, but many-to-many marriages, all for business and financial purposes.

For example, I’d marry my adult children for health insurance purposes.

For example, I’d marry, for a fee, a million subscribers who would share my insurance coverage and tax benefits.

For example, I’d marry into one set of partners for purpose A, and marry into other sets of partners for purposes B, C, D, and E.

I’d like to see a conservative group take the lead on this.


30 posted on 06/27/2013 9:34:27 AM PDT by mbarker12474
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: sickoflibs

I’ve changed my mind - I favor ‘marriage’ between any combination of living things.


31 posted on 06/27/2013 9:34:43 AM PDT by GOPJ (... liberal anger - - the privileged wheeze of entitled brats ... Greenfield)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: GOPJ

“I’ve changed my mind - I favor ‘marriage’ between any combination of living things.”

But I want to marry my Stratocaster! Who are you to deny the love between a man and his guitar?


32 posted on 06/27/2013 9:38:54 AM PDT by ZirconEncrustedTweezers (The average American voter is an idiot. Which is how the Dems want it.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 31 | View Replies]

To: ealgeone

If the government would get out of the marriage business ie: tax exemptions, bennies, etc. none of this would be an issue.


33 posted on 06/27/2013 9:40:06 AM PDT by sheana
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: sheana

How would you deal with the issues of divorce, custody of children, support of spouses and children?


34 posted on 06/27/2013 9:41:53 AM PDT by Tau Food (Never give a sword to a man who can't dance.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 33 | View Replies]

To: Tau Food

That is an entirely different issue.


35 posted on 06/27/2013 9:43:57 AM PDT by sheana
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 34 | View Replies]

To: SeekAndFind

We’ve destroyed the institution of marriage. We might as well end governmental recognition of marriage. Just let churches handle it.


36 posted on 06/27/2013 9:44:10 AM PDT by andyk (I have sworn...eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: sheana
Are you proposing that government deal with divorce (the termination of marriage), custody of children, support of spouses and children, but not have any rules regarding the creation of marriage?

I'm not sure how that would work.

37 posted on 06/27/2013 9:47:16 AM PDT by Tau Food (Never give a sword to a man who can't dance.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 35 | View Replies]

To: ansel12

Now come on, let’s not blame something on Romney over which he has no control over...


38 posted on 06/27/2013 9:47:18 AM PDT by SeekAndFind
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 16 | View Replies]

To: SeekAndFind
The case for polygamy (Why shouldn’t marriage equality apply to them, too?)

Well; GOD did seem to mention it at one time; to one fella...



Polygamy: How it all got Started in America
 



 
 
 
Joe: Hey Emma!   Guess what!?
 
Emma: You KNOW I hate these guessing games! What is it, Dear?
 
Joe: I heard a voice, probably the Lord, tell me I must take other wives.
 
Emma: WHAT!?   You ding bat!  Don't you KNOW what our precious BOOK says?   After all; YOU are the one that translated it!
 
Joe: Books; schmooks.   All I know is I've been COMMANDED to take other wives and you are to OBEY ME!!!
 
 
Emma:      "Though shalt NOT commit ADULTERY!!!"
 
 
Joe: Silly Woman!  You KNOW better than to take things out of CONTEXT!!!
 
 
 
 
 

 
...and the rest is HISTORY...
 

 
 
 
 
 
THE BOOK OF JACOB
THE BROTHER OF NEPHI
CHAPTER 2
 
  24 Behold, David and Solomon truly had many wives and concubines, which thing was abominable before me, saith the Lord.
  25 Wherefore, thus saith the Lord, I have led this people forth out of the land of Jerusalem, by the power of mine arm, that I might raise up unto me a righteous branch from the fruit of the loins of Joseph.
  26 Wherefore, I the Lord God will not suffer that this people shall do like unto them of old.
  27 Wherefore, my brethren, hear me, and hearken to the word of the Lord: For there shall not any man among you have save it be one wife; and concubines he shall have none;
  28 For I, the Lord God, delight in the chastity of women. And whoredoms are an abomination before me; thus saith the Lord of Hosts.
  29 Wherefore, this people shall keep my commandments, saith the Lord of Hosts, or cursed be the land for their sakes.
  30 For if I will, saith the Lord of Hosts, raise up seed unto me, I will command my people; otherwise they shall hearken unto these things.
  31 For behold, I, the Lord, have seen the sorrow, and heard the mourning of the daughters of my people in the land of Jerusalem, yea, and in all the lands of my people, because of the wickedness and abominations of their husbands.
  32 And I will not suffer, saith the Lord of Hosts, that the cries of the fair daughters of this people, which I have led out of the land of Jerusalem, shall come up unto me against the men of my people, saith the Lord of Hosts.
 

Or even HERE:
 

 1 Timothy 3:2-3
 2.  Now the overseer must be above reproach, the husband of but one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach,
 3.  not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money.
 
 
1 Timothy 3:12
   A deacon must be the husband of but one wife and must manage his children and his household well.
 
 
 Titus 1:6
   An elder must be blameless, the husband of but one wife, a man whose children believe and are not open to the charge of being wild and disobedient.



 
 
Emma: That's IT!   I'm LEAVING your sorry *!!! 
  
            Can't you EVER get straight what GOD tells you???
 
          Doctrines and Covenants 49:16 Wherefore, it is lawful that he should have one awife, and they twain shall be bone flesh, and all this that the cearth might answer the end of its creation;
 
 
 
 
Joe:  DARN you Emma; you were TOLD to accept this!!   Wait!!!   I hear a voice again!!!
 
 


 
THE
DOCTRINE AND COVENANTS
OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS
SECTION 132
 
  51–57, Emma Smith is counseled (commanded) to be faithful and true; 58–66, Laws governing the plurality of wives are set forth.
 
 
  51 Verily, I say unto you: A commandment I give unto mine handmaid, Emma Smith, your wife, whom I have given unto you, that she stay herself and partake not of that which I commanded you to offer unto her; for I did it, saith the Lord, to aprove you all, as I did Abraham, and that I might require an offering at your hand, by covenant and sacrifice.
  52 And let mine handmaid, Emma Smith, areceive all those that have been given unto my servant Joseph, and who are virtuous and pure before me; and those who are not pure, and have said they were pure, shall be destroyed, saith the Lord God.
  53 For I am the Lord thy God, and ye shall obey my voice; and I give unto my servant Joseph that he shall be made ruler over many things; for he hath been afaithful over a few things, and from henceforth I will strengthen him.
  54 And I command mine handmaid, Emma Smith, to abide and acleave unto my servant Joseph, and to none else. But if she will not abide this commandment she shall be bdestroyed, saith the Lord; for I am the Lord thy God, and will destroy her if she abide not in my law.
  55 But if she will not abide this commandment, then shall my servant Joseph do all things for her, even as he hath said; and I will bless him and multiply him and give unto him an ahundredfold in this world, of fathers and mothers, brothers and sisters, houses and lands, wives and children, and crowns of beternal lives in the eternal worlds.
  56 And again, verily I say, let mine handmaid aforgive my servant Joseph his trespasses; and then shall she be forgiven her trespasses, wherein she has trespassed against me; and I, the Lord thy God, will bless her, and multiply her, and make her heart to brejoice.


39 posted on 06/27/2013 9:52:31 AM PDT by Elsie (Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going...)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Psalm 73

Or a ‘HATER’!!!


40 posted on 06/27/2013 9:53:26 AM PDT by Elsie (Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going...)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 13 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-8081-93 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson