Why is can we have more that one wife, from a biblical perspective?

[joepistole]

When and who said we could only have one wife? Is there biblical justification for just having one wife? When and where did the ban on plural marriages come from?

[draqon]

is Bible your living guidance? Look into your soul and morality you seek to follow the everyday mundane

justify your self with mirror of self

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1167/1215478854_a95fee786e.jpg

[joepistole]

Sandy said in another post that she belived in the literal Bible. The Bible is full of examples of holy men with many wives. What happened that caused modern Christians to leave the practice?

[draqon]

Ephesians 5:31-32: "For this cause a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh. This secret is great, but I speak concerning Messiah and the assembly."

[S.A.M.]

Saves on alimony checks/

[cosmictraveler]

You already have enough problems with one of "them" why try your luck with more? :shrug:

[draqon]

Old testament seems to allow it...with references such as David having many wifes...meanwhile new testament seems to refer that it is wrong

[Medicine*Woman]

Sandy said in another post that she belived in the literal Bible. The Bible is full of examples of holy men with many wives. What happened that caused modern Christians to leave the practice?
*************
M*W: They really don't leave the "practice." They take mistresses, adulteresses, and whores.

[joepistole]

Yes, and the New Testiment does not forbid it. And strangely, modern Judiasm does not practice plural marriage either. Who had the revelation, thou shall have only one wife?

[draqon]

Yes, and the New Testiment does not forbid it. And strangely, modern Judiasm does not practice plural marriage either. Who had the revelation, thou shall have only one wife?

the morality of ourselves told us so, it whispered its truth into our deaf ears.

[joepistole]

Maybe it was the first wife speaking in our ears! I think that might be more likely.

[draqon]

Maybe it was the first wife speaking in our ears! I think that might be more likely.

I have not married yet and I think so ;)

I am 21

[joepistole]

Now I ask you, who is more important God or your wife or girlfriend?

[draqon]

Now I ask you, who is more important God or your wife or girlfriend?

I don't believe in God

I don't have a wife

I don't have a girlfriend

[joepistole]

Well Dragon, I guess that is called freedom.

[draqon]

Well Dragon, I guess that is called freedom.

I instigate my morals by myself, no bible, no religion. Buddhism in essence is my belief

If I choose to get married I will not tie my self, it was my choice and so is my freedom will be as it ever was "mine"

[joepistole]

I would be interested in getting the fundamentalist view of this difference in policy and practice of the religion.

[draqon]

I would be interested in getting the fundamentalist view of this difference in policy and practice of the religion.

interesting as in something that you would agree with? Follow yourself ... not books' guidance or others' believes.

[joepistole]

Gnosis Dragon, this is not about me or my beliefs, but rather to help me understand the rational for the belief of others and perhaps to stimualte some others to think a bit.

[SetiAlpha6]

When and who said we could only have one wife? Is there biblical justification for just having one wife? When and where did the ban on plural marriages come from?


Well, somehow the Mormons missed this "revelation" because many of them still believe in having multiple wives just like in the Old Testament. I think it had to do with a certain very lustful foundational leader of theirs. There have been many accounts of sexual abuse among their members. All you really need is to find some guy who has delusions of grandeur who will tell you whatever your lustful heart wants to hear. Morality often has little to do with religion. People can become amoral or even immoral through the teachings of the Bible or a leader with little real morality of their own, just my opinion.

By the way, do you think that your wife should have more than one husband? What if you were 1 husband out of 5 or 10? What if she had children by some of the others and none by you? Would you be OK with that? Who would be in charge of the entire family?

Just Wondering?

In answer to your question, I found this explanation on the following website (http://www.answersingenesis.org/docs/4074.asp)

The clearest evidence that monogamy is God’s ideal is from Christ’s teaching on marriage in Matt. 19:3–6. In this passage, He cited the Genesis creation account, in particular Gen. 1:27 and 2:24, saying ‘the two will become one flesh’, not more than two.

Another important biblical teaching is the parallel of husband and wife with Christ and the Church in Eph. 5:22–33, which makes sense only with monogamy — Jesus will not have multiple brides.

The 10th Commandment ‘… You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife [singular] …’ (Exodus 20:17) also presupposes the ideal that there is only one wife. Polygamy is expressly forbidden for church elders (1 Tim. 3:2). And this is not just for elders, because Paul also wrote: ‘each man should have his own wife, and each woman her own husband.’ Paul goes on to explain marital duties in terms that make sense only with one husband to one wife.

The example of godly people is also important. Isaac and Rebekah were monogamous — they are often used as a model in Jewish weddings today. Other examples were Joseph and Asenath, and Moses and Zipporah. And the only survivors of the Flood were four monogamous couples.

Hope that helps a little! Thanks!

[Orleander]

I have no problem with polygamy. I can't find a reason why it would be immoral.

[flameofanor5]

When and who said we could only have one wife? Is there biblical justification for just having one wife? When and where did the ban on plural marriages come from?

Dude, if you even mention the Bible in a positive way on thise forum, you're probably going to get a beating. I personally don't suggest getting your spiritual guidance on this site.

[Orleander]

spiritual guidance on a science forum...well, why ever not?
LOL ;)

[joepistole]

Thanks Seti, to me the New Testiment references seem to be subject to interpretations and therefore weak arguments. Genesis is part of the Pentituch and as such early Jewish followers did not seem to intrepret Genesis as your references have. To the early Jews pologamy appears to be ok and a good solution to the commandment go forth and multiply.
As far as your reference to women having multiple husbands, there is no biblical basis for such a practice. I am just looking at the biblical justifications.

[Revolvr]

Does any other modern religion support polygamy? (Other than Islam)

[joepistole]

Good question Revolvr, I belive is was an acceptable Hindu practice as well. But the do not practice it today. Mormons do not practice polygamy on earth, but it is something that they would practice in heaven according to their theology. But it is not something they talk about very often.

[joepistole]

I personally think pologamy became obsolete as a practical matter versus a theological matter. It may have worked in a period with high male mortality rates and in a society that limited what roles females could fulfill.

[SetiAlpha6]

Good question Revolvr, I belive is was an acceptable Hindu practice as well. But the do not practice it today. Mormons do not practice polygamy on earth, but it is something that they would practice in heaven according to their theology. But it is not something they talk about very often.


There might be a few Mormons that do actually practice polygamy on this earth but they keep quiet about it because it is illegal in the United States. Every once in a while they show up in the news.

[joepistole]

The Mormon Church spilt a hundred years ago..there abouts...over the issue of polygamy. Utah was being settled my non Mormons who brought their values with them. So the Mormons had two choices, fight and die or get rid of polygamy and they chose the later. So all Mormons do not practice polygamy on earth. However, as you point out, there are Mormon sects that have broken with the Church on this issue and continue to practice polygamy. The Mormon Church will quickly excommunicate anyone found to practice polygamy. You can find exmormons who have been excommunicated for that very reason.

[Medicine*Woman]

There might be a few Mormons that do actually practice polygamy on this earth but they keep quiet about it because it is illegal in the United States. Every once in a while they show up in the news.
*************
M*W: I was following the trial of Warren Steed Jeffs recently on Court TV. He was the head guy, religious leader, or whatever they called him in their 'community.' He arranged plural marriages for his followers, and these people saw them as "celestial marriages," not requiring a marriage license or any legal entanglement. So, that's how they got 'around' the law.

The law gets involved when there are underage girls. In the LDS religion, they 'value' their girl children and do away with their sons who end up living on the streets and prostituting themselves to survive.

[joepistole]

Jeffs was FLDS, not LDS. FLDS is one of those former LDS groups that broke away over leadership and polygamy issues. All marriages that occur in a temple are celestial marriages as they are forever and all time...not just until death.

What is the Wicken view on pologamy MW?

Personally I want to marry OLeander because of her views on the subject. :)

[Cyperium]

Sandy said in another post that she belived in the literal Bible. The Bible is full of examples of holy men with many wives. What happened that caused modern Christians to leave the practice?Which are those examples, I don't think I've ever read in the Bible that someone had multiple wives and how could that be done if you were to be faithful to your wife?

[joepistole]

Moses, Soloman, all of the kings of Isreal, virtually any male figure in the Old Testiment had multiple wives.

[Cyperium]

Moses, Soloman, all of the kings of Isreal, virtually any male figure in the Old Testiment had multiple wives.Reference please, I still do not recall the multiple wives you say they had.

[Myles]

Dude, if you even mention the Bible in a positive way on thise forum, you're probably going to get a beating. I personally don't suggest getting your spiritual guidance on this site.

Start a thread on spiritual guidance.

[sowhatifit'sdark]

I have no problem with polygamy. I can't find a reason why it would be immoral.

I agree, as long as
1) women can be in the catbird's seat, also
2) one must notify all current spouses of any other spouses

As if it now it is legal to have one spouse and sleep around with other people. I can't see where it is in the state's interests to prevent groups of three or more from locking themselves into contracts.

[Myles]

Reference please, I still do not recall the multiple wives you say they had.

Try Kings ! Solomon is said to have had 700 wives and 300 concubines.

[sowhatifit'sdark]

Try Kings ! Solomon is said to have had 700 wives and 300 concubines.

See now, I am man enough to admit that that is just intimidating. I suppose it carries some sort of prestige, but on a practical day to day level. Forget about it. I mean, a concubine, that's about sex. OK. Marriage could be political/kinship centered. Ah, probably even that division is too simple. But still...pass the yohimbe.

[Myles]

See now, I am man enough to admit that that is just intimidating. I suppose it carries some sort of prestige, but on a practical day to day level. Forget about it. I mean, a concubine, that's about sex. OK. Marriage could be political/kinship centered. Ah, probably even that division is too simple. But still...pass the yohimbe.

You could always outsource the sex at a handsome profit, not that I am advising you to become a pimp.

[Cyperium]

You show me what to read in the bible that forbids polygamy. I cannot read something that does not exist...you idiot! Unless of course if I were like you, delusional, I suppose it would not matter.
If you had read the Bible you would know there is no such reference...now who's the idiot I ask you? We can always hope that one day God will grant you a brain, but I would not hold my breath!

1 Kings 11
1But king Solomon loved many strange women, together with the daughter of Pharaoh, women of the Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Zidonians, and Hittites:

2Of the nations concerning which the LORD said unto the children of Israel, Ye shall not go in to them, neither shall they come in unto you: for surely they will turn away your heart after their gods: Solomon clave unto these in love.

3And he had seven hundred wives

Also look in Genisis under Abraham, he had three documented wives.I looked it up;

1 King Solomon, however, loved many foreign women besides Pharaoh's daughter—Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Sidonians and Hittites. 2 They were from nations about which the LORD had told the Israelites, "You must not intermarry with them, because they will surely turn your hearts after their gods." Nevertheless, Solomon held fast to them in love. 3 He had seven hundred wives of royal birth and three hundred concubines, and his wives led him astray. 4 As Solomon grew old, his wives turned his heart after other gods, and his heart was not fully devoted to the LORD his God, as the heart of David his father had been. 5 He followed Ashtoreth the goddess of the Sidonians, and Molech [a] the detestable god of the Ammonites. 6 So Solomon did evil in the eyes of the LORD; he did not follow the LORD completely, as David his father had done.


Intermarriage may have been accepted at that time. But it was not good for Solomon, and he did evil in the eyes of God since the women turned his heart towards other things than God.

I don't think the important part is to do specifically *this* or *that* but to do Gods will, and stay true to Him.

Thank you for showing me the passages.

[joepistole]

You will fine more examples in Genesis. Abraham is documented with three wives. In Solomons case he was renowed for his wisdom. But his sin was not with too many wives (per the Bible) but that the foriegn wives led him to accomodate other Gods.

[Medicine*Woman]

Jeffs was FLDS, not LDS. FLDS is one of those former LDS groups that broke away over leadership and polygamy issues. All marriages that occur in a temple are celestial marriages as they are forever and all time...not just until death.

What is the Wicken view on pologamy MW?

Personally I want to marry OLeander because of her views on the subject. :)
*************
M*W: Yes, you are right. He was leader of the FLDS as you said. Sorry, but I don't know the Wiccan view on polygamy. Perhaps Hapsburg does.

[Medicine*Woman]

Which are those examples, I don't think I've ever read in the Bible that someone had multiple wives and how could that be done if you were to be faithful to your wife?
*************
M*W: You've got to be kidding me? All men in those days took multiple wives and sometimes other men as partners. The Egyptians were famous for it, and that trickled down to the Jews. Moses was one of the famous multiporous husbands as was Solomon and David, or at least that's the myth.

Read Moses and Akhenaten, by Ahmed Osman, et al.

[Medicine*Woman]

Reference please, I still do not recall the multiple wives you say they had.
*************
M*W: It was common practice, but I know there is mention of Solomon's 600 wives somewhere in the bible.

[Medicine*Woman]

Dude, if you even mention the Bible in a positive way on thise forum, you're probably going to get a beating. I personally don't suggest getting your spiritual guidance on this site.
*************
M*W: What??? This site teems in spiritual guidance for those who are able to understand the truth.

[losfomoT]

Here is one of the laws God explained to Moses:

Exodus 21:10-11

10 "What if he marries another woman? He must still give the first one her food and clothes and make love to her. 11 If he does not provide her with those three things, she can go free. She does not have to pay anything."

EDIT - This law was in reference to initially marrying a Hebrew servant... I don't know if that matters or not.

[losfomoT]

This one is off-topic, but it cracks me up:

Exodus 21:20

20 "Suppose a man beats his male or female slave to death with a club. Then he must be punished. 21 But he will not be punished if the slave gets up after a day or two. After all, the slave is his property."


BTW, Both of my last to references are from the New International Reader's Version Online.

[Myles]

This one is off-topic, but it cracks me up:

Exodus 21:20

20 "Suppose a man beats his male or female slave to death with a club. Then he must be punished. 21 But he will not be punished if the slave gets up after a day or two. After all, the slave is his property."


BTW, Both of my last to references are from the New International Reader's Version Online.

Nice quote. The OT is sure a barrel of laughs.

[Cyperium]

You will fine more examples in Genesis. Abraham is documented with three wives. In Solomons case he was renowed for his wisdom. But his sin was not with too many wives (per the Bible) but that the foriegn wives led him to accomodate other Gods.Yes, I know, a bit surprising, but things have changed now.

We should not divorce, but was it Moses that told people to write divorce letters if they were to? However, Jesus was asked about that and He responded that Moses did that because the people at that time had a "hard heart" (you could phrase it that way, I think).

If you are going to change a entire culture, you can't just expect them to accept a total makeover, or can you? I don't know, I would think that some things had to come with small steps.

[joepistole]

Cyperium, would that include evolution too (somethings come in small steps)?

I am trying to find where in the cannonical books did the practice change. It seems at the time of Christ, most folk were not practicing polygamy and maybe that is why it was not explicitly mentioned.

[Medicine*Woman]

Cyperium, would that include evolution too (somethings come in small steps)?

I am trying to find where in the cannonical books did the practice change. It seems at the time of Christ, most folk were not practicing polygamy and maybe that is why it was not explicitly mentioned.
*************
M*W: Even in the times of Charlemagne (@ 800 AD), he had something like 13 wives and concubines with children from all of them. They were all educated in the palace and practically generated the population of the world as we see it today.

I think it was when the church began its indoctrination after the printing press was invented, that the peasant class started to learn to read a bit. Prior to that, it was only the monks who were "educated" and could read. I don't know when monogamy ever came into play until such time as the church established the institution of marriage for the sole purposes of ownership of land and children as property. That way, the church was reassured that it would collect any money the poor peasants had instead of their own descendants inheriting anything. Later on, proper marriages ensured the rights of inheritance to the legal heirs. Bottom line, it was all about money. It always is.

*************
M*W's Friendly Atheist Quote (FAQ) of the Day:

"Religion is excellent stuff for keeping common people quiet." ~ Napoleon Bonaparte

[battig1370]

Interesting questions:



Is it by God's authority, or is it by some man's authortiy that a man only have one wife?

If it's some man's or a group of men's authortiy that a man only have one wife, who gave him or them that right to dictate his or their ideals of what is right or wrong?

[joepistole]

Yes, it was not the multiple marrriages that got him in trouble with God. It was that he turned away from God. He got too focused on the empire building and not on God.

[joepistole]

I just think given the practical issues involved with relationships, multiple marriages are not practical. God knows I had enough trouble with one woman in my life.

[Vega]

I just think given the practical issues involved with relationships, multiple marriages are not practical. God knows I had enough trouble with one woman in my life.
yep just multiple sex from now on!

[Leo Volont]

Well, anybody who believes in any of the current Christian Doctrines, mostly based on the letters of paul, that are considered to support the ideas of Salvation and the Forgiveness of Sins... well, they can sleep with as many sluts as they like.

Remember, their sins are forgiven.

It seems people don't even bother to think of the Benefits of their Religion.

Certainly the Early Protestants who got rich off the Slave Trade, Rum Running, American Revolutions, Capitalitst Usury and Wage Exploitation.. all of them were CERTAIN that their Sins were Forgiven.

If you are Christian, then prove your Faith. Do whatever the phuque you want.

As the bumper sticker says.. "We're not Perfect. We're forgiven"

[joepistole]

Well, anybody who believes in any of the current Christian Doctrines, mostly based on the letters of paul, that are considered to support the ideas of Salvation and the Forgiveness of Sins... well, they can sleep with as many sluts as they like.

Remember, their sins are forgiven.

It seems people don't even bother to think of the Benefits of their Religion.

Certainly the Early Protestants who got rich off the Slave Trade, Rum Running, American Revolutions, Capitalitst Usury and Wage Exploitation.. all of them were CERTAIN that their Sins were Forgiven.

If you are Christian, then prove your Faith. Do whatever the phuque you want.

As the bumper sticker says.. "We're not Perfect. We're forgiven"

Leo I want to remind you in the Old Testiment it was ok to have slaves. The Old Testimenet even gives rules for beating slaves.

[Leo Volont]

Marriage is Property.

Families would marry their daughter into a particular family with the understanding that her offspring would be entailed to certain predetermined rights of possession.

More than one wife would muddy these waters.

In cultures where more than one wife are allowed, the household become battlefields of poison and mayhem as competing wives attempt to remove revals for heredary property.

Indeed, it reminds me somewhat of the Laws for Primogenitor -- that first sons inheret everything and that subsequent sons and all daughters effectively inheret nothing but have to make their way in the world as best they can (and so Societies with Primogenitor have huge Armies to collect up all the impoverished 2nd Sons). Anyway, what amazes me is that I do not know off hand very many stories of 2nd Sons killing off their older brothers for the Property Right to these entire Estates. Push him off a cliff or out of a tree, and it is an accident among boys playing their games. There must have been quite a lot of those.