Is the principle of polygamy unethical?

[_truth dancer]

Hi Guy... :-)

In cases where all parties entering into the arrangement are fully informed, have free will, have reached their majority (are not minor children), and voluntarily consent, perhaps no

Yeah... just like women having many husbands would be ethical if all are consenting adults and given equality.

Or multiple women with multiple men with multiple women... if everyone is consenting adults in a free society where all is equal, I don't see anything unethical about it.

But any situation where men are given rights and opportunities not afforded to women is not ethical... :-) And obviously coercion, manipulation, demands, commands, by their very nature eliminate the idea of ethicality.

~dancer~

[_guy sajer]

Hi Guy... :-)

In cases where all parties entering into the arrangement are fully informed, have free will, have reached their majority (are not minor children), and voluntarily consent, perhaps no

Yeah... just like women having many husbands would be ethical if all are consenting adults and given equality.

Or multiple women with multiple men with multiple women... if everyone is consenting adults in a free society where all is equal, I don't see anything unethical about it.

But any situation where men are given rights and opportunities not afforded to women is not ethical... :-) And obviously coercion, manipulation, demands, commands, by their very nature eliminate the idea of ethicality.

~dancer~

Is ethicality a word ? :-)

[_truth dancer]

Hi Grampa...

However, there will come a time when, aparently, there is a shortage of men 7 to 1, and men are asked to take these women to wife to provide for them and give them the opportunity to bear children.

This is just plain silliness. :-) To think women need to be married to be provided for? Or that if a man marries lots of women he will "provide" for them? Or that a woman these days even needs a man to bear a child...

During the time of the Millennium, when this shortage is supposed to be, I read into it, that because of the love that one woman has for another, it would be the women who would ask her husband to take her to wife. If you read the 4th chapter of Isaiah you will find that in the latter days, or during the millennium, that GOD looks upon plural marriage as something beautiful and comely.

I just don't see humankind reverting to such a primitive, degrading, demeaning, subjugating system .....

More and more marriage is about love not sperm donation. Those women who want to be married in the future will do so not because they must but because they want to. This is a huge step in the right direction for humankind and for families.

The idea that a women will be happy in a marriage without the intimacy, care, attention, devotion, love that comes from a exclusive relationship means women don't care about their relationship with their husband, or do not want the amazing relationship that is only possible in a balanced and equal and united partnership.

A man with a harem relegates him to a sperm donor, while women are just there to be used for whatever, while they have their own little society. I don't see this as enlightened in any sense of the word.

~dancer~

[_huckelberry]

Dancer,

humankind unlikely to revert to a primative system like polygamy.

I think you are right. I don't know that it matters to you but I don't think Isaiah is predicting polygamy in any millenium. I suppose there is enough ambiguity in the Isaiah passage that if one really wants to one might read the seven woman grasping after a man as part of the promise. Iit seems more likely to bepart of the context, Instead of fragrance there will be a stench instead of a sash, a rope.....the gates of Zon will lament and mourn, destitute she will sit on the ground In that day seven women will take hold on one man.

So Isaiah fits my view of polygamy, a tragic loss.

[_truth dancer]

Is ethicality a word ? :-)

I made it up! :-)

Is there a problem with that? LOL!

:-)

~dancer~

[_truth dancer]

Hi Huck... :-)

I think you are right. I don't know that it matters to you but I don't think Isaiah is predicting polygamy in any millenium. I suppose there is enough ambiguity in the Isaiah passage that if one really wants to one might read the seven woman grasping after a man as part of the promise. Iit seems more likely to bepart of the context, Instead of fragrance there will be a stench instead of a sash, a rope.....the gates of Zon will lament and mourn, destitute she will sit on the ground In that day seven women will take hold on one man.

So Isaiah fits my view of polygamy, a tragic loss.

This last statement is really powerful and is exactly how I see the practice of polygamy... a tragic loss.

:-)

Thanks for your insight and understanding,

~dancer~

[_guy sajer]

Is ethicality a word ? :-)

I made it up! :-)

Is there a problem with that? LOL!

:-)

~dancer~

No, no problem at all. I've even adopted it into my everyday vocabulary. When I was at my accountant's, I asked him what the ethicality was of taking certain deductions. Worked like a charm.

[_Trinity]

I've been reading a book called The Giver (Louis Lowry) with my middle school son, it is part of the reading curriculum. It is a story about a utopian society where everything and everyone are in their place. Everything in the Community is heavily regulated. There are only 50 children born into the society per year. Every step of a child's development is heavily regulated. Each year they have a ceremony where they formally are passed up into a next level of development. When they are nine they are issue a bike which will be their transport for the rest of their life. When they are ten they get their hair cut into the standardized style. When a child turns 12 they are assigned a societal role that they will fill when they become adult, and they then spend the next few years training for that role. A female may be given the role of a birthmother. A birthmother will have three children-one each year for three years. During these three years she is pampered and cared for. After the three years she then is relegated to role of laborer and will be used as such. (the role of a birthmother in the book is not a role of high honor) The birthmother is a surrogate for a couple who have been especially assigned as mates (mates are assigned based on personality compatabilities) and they must apply to have a child brought into their unit. Once a child begins to go through puberty they are given a pill which completely eliminates sexual desire and they will take this pill throughout their entire life. They literally see the world in black and white, color has been stripped from them. They are unable to have memories, good or bad, but particularly bad. There is only one in the society who takes on the capacity and burden of these unpleasant things, and that person is revered for their wisdom because they have that broader perspective. The entire society is devoid of emotion and each and every role is designed to make sure the Community survives, thrives and is efficiently run.

All people are excited for whatever role they get, whether it is fish-hatchery attendant, director of recreation, or whatever. Each individual role is to serve to the efficienty of the whole. Conformity is required. If you do not comply, you are released, a nice name for euthanasia. The Community members don't know it is Euthanasia, they just think that the weaker twin babies and the old people go to another place. And the old people are always celebrating when someone is released.

I could see polygamy working in this society. Even within an ethical context. Now as to whether or not this utopian organization itself is ethical is a larger question.

If any of you have a free afternoon, I recommend this book. There are several good analogies that could be applied to the christian concept of atonement, and it is an excellent microcosmic reminder of the pitfalls of eliminating individuality and choice, even if it is for the common good.

[_huckelberry]

Trinity, I have not read the book you describe. It seems to follow a theme that has been explored in a few stories. I am wondering what analogies you were seeing to the atonement. On the face of it I found myself thinking it would be a bit difficutlt to find one. So to help me out, what sort of connection did you see?

[_truth dancer]

Hi Trinity...

I LOVE, "The Giver" and have read it many times.

I could see polygamy working in this society. Even within an ethical context. Now as to whether or not this utopian organization itself is ethical is a larger question.

Yes... in a society or universe where people don't feel, where there is virtually no emotion, no connection, no humanness, lots of things work! :-)

Robots do not care with whom they interact, relationships do not matter.

But... it is in the human where deep connections, intimacy, and love exist. It is in human interactions where we experience the most amazing awareness that has come through in the universe, largely through human interaction, and the love of two unites souls.

:-)

~dancer~