Religion & Spirituality - 20 July 2007

There are some situations in which it is advantageous to society to have men marry multiple wives, and for this reason polygyny is practiced by many religions and cultures. As we have already seen in answer to question 2, polygyny is permitted in the Bible too. Here we will see that the Qur’an permits only a restricted and limited form of that practice. Only 2% of Muslim marriages are of this nature.

Notice that the Qur’an permits but does not command a man to have four wives. Furthermore, the Qur’an stipulates that a man is responsible for the maintenance of his wife or wives. If a man has more than one wife, he has to provide separate living accommodation for each of his wives.

Multiple marriages are a heavy responsibility on the male. It is not a pleasure trip as some people may assume. Some even imagine all kinds of sexual exploits involving a man and his wives altogether. However, such activity is not permissible in Islam. A man must divide his time equally among his wives. He may, for example, spend one night with each wife on a rotating schedule.

If a man cannot maintain justice in the treatment of his wives, the Qur’an stipulates that he is to have no more than one wife.

Polygyny provides a solution to some of life’s problems. When there is a shortage of men, for example after a devastating war, many women will be unable to find husbands. Most women in that situation, given the option, would rather be a co-wife than no wife. If one maintains a strict monogamy in such a situation, moral depravity is bound to result.

It may be useful at this point to see what some non-Muslim writers are now saying on this much misunderstood subject.

John Esposito says:

Although it is found in many religious and cultural traditions, polygamy (or more precisely, polygyny) is most often identified with Islam in the minds of Westerners. In fact, the Qur’an and Islamic Law sought to control and regulate the number of spouses rather than give free license. (John Esposito, Islam: The Straight Path, Oxford University, 1988, p. 97).

Esposito then goes on to explain that in a society which allowed men an unlimited number of wives, Islam limited the number of wives to four. Then he continued to say:

The Qur’an permits a man to marry up to four wives, provided he can support and treat them all equally. Muslims regard this Quranic command as strengthening the status of women and the family for it sought to ensure the welfare of single women and widows in a society whose male population was diminished by warfare, and to curb unrestricted polygamy (John Esposito: Islam the Straight Path, p. 97).

Karen Armstrong explains much the same in her book entitled Muhammad: A Western Attempt to Understand Islam. She says:

We have to see the ruling about polygamy in context. In seventh-century Arabia, when a man could have as many wives as he chose, to prescribe only four was a limitation, not a license to new oppression (Karen Armstrong, Muhammad: A Western Attempt to Understand Islam, Victor Gollancz Ltd., 1991, p. 191).

It is unfortunate that the Western media often gives the wrong impression of what Islam is all about. Karen Armstrong writes:

Popular films like Harem give an absurd and inflated picture of the sexual life of the Muslim sheikh which reveals more about Western fantasy than it does about the reality (p. 190).

Some people incorrectly assume that because of this ruling most Muslim men would have four wives. However, as Huston Smith points out, "multiple wives are seldom found in Islam today" (The World’s Religions, p. 252). Ira Zepp, Jr. says that "less than 2% of Muslim marriages are polygamous" (A Muslim Primer, p. 180).

2007-07-20 06:13:40 · 15 answers · asked by Nourhan 5

If Mary covered than why dont other cristian women? I just dont understand. Pleez clear it out.

2007-07-20 06:12:48 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous

using the illiad to prove the existance of Zues. A belief that the illiad proves Zues is the true god is the same thing. Proof does not exist so why do people on both sides attempt to prove anything to the other side? Is it not just pride talking? Does God really need you to prove he exists?

2007-07-20 06:10:19 · 25 answers · asked by Anonymous

2007-07-20 06:09:07 · 8 answers · asked by ? 5

If we all are made in the image of God or whatever.. why do birth defects happen? Does he have anything to do with it?

2007-07-20 06:08:35 · 31 answers · asked by Anonymous

They say to forgive is divine ...

2007-07-20 06:07:58 · 4 answers · asked by Anonymous

Most of questions get a canned answer and yes they are mainly from fellow believers. It really leads me to believe that you don't read the question and extra details.

You just type Jesus is Lord or something like that and that's it.

Why do you do that? If you actually took time to read the question and gave an objective answer you might not get picked on so much.

Comments?

2007-07-20 06:07:26 · 18 answers · asked by Emperor Insania Says Bye! 5

In Heaven, will humans remain essentially humans or will we grow wings and become angels of God?

2007-07-20 06:07:01 · 15 answers · asked by Ceizari 2

2007-07-20 06:06:33 · 22 answers · asked by Anonymous

for them?

All children are Jesus' children already. Jesus being our 'High Father'. So? Is there a special blessing with being sprinkled as a baby?

Certain Lutheran & Catholic Churchs baptize babies & don't necessarily believe in water baptism then as adults. Except for maybe when a teenager or adult is saved who wasn't baptized in their Church.

2007-07-20 06:04:50 · 7 answers · asked by t_a_m_i_l 6

You know so we can raise money for your baskets? I want a really nice one.

2007-07-20 06:04:13 · 4 answers · asked by ~Heathen Princess~ 7

Religious Jews and Christians understand Judeo-Christian values is the only one that offers America any hope for the future...That being said Christians are rallying in a enormous way to fight the secularism and athiestic views many here in the USA are trying to lead America down.

Rod Parsley from World Harvest Church, Jay Seklew from the ACLJ are coming back with a vegenance that the Founding Fathers NEVER INTENDED to take religion out of USA Politics..Dennis Prager confronts Athiests that NOT ONE Athiest founded this country..

It seems like a race for souls.. Of course we know Satan is no match for GOD, but how do you see this playing out in the future coming years?

2007-07-20 06:02:44 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous

prove there is a god? It is the same as if I stated you have no intelligence. It is a statement that you either believe or not so why do you care if someone says there is no god? Or there is a god? It is the act of coercion to force another to believe what you believe which is wrong.

2007-07-20 06:01:23 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous

The giver of the gift told this one to simply believe and He will receive the gift of Life. This one could not believe that it could be so simple. Such a great gift HAS to have a high price attached to it. Still.. the Giver said.." the price has been paid in full". With a payment that satisfies the Giver completely

Why hate this God who has given us salvation freely through His Son's sacrifice. Is it that its too simple? Does complication appeal to us more?
I sat and asked myself this question. We will give ourselves to believe so many other things.. Even believe that there is NO God. Believe that we're ok in our existence, that there is not a deeper dimension to man's life and living on this earth.
What? Call upon the Name of the Lord and thats it? Believe in your heart and thats it? Seems to ridiculous, but its always been that simple. Believing is our receiving. Its so simple that its worth the try. You have nothing to loose. Simple is best. Give the Lord a try wil u?

2007-07-20 06:01:10 · 7 answers · asked by Broken Alabaster Flask 6

"Jesus Freak"
by dc Talk

Album: Jesus Freak
Artist Info: Discography
Song Clip: Real Audio


Separated I cut my self clean
From a past that comes back in my darkest of dreams
Been apprehended by a spiritual force
And a grace that replaced all the me I've divorced

I saw a man with a tattoo on his big fat belly
It wiggled like marmalade jelly
It took me awhile to catch what it said
Cause I had to match the rhythm of his belly with my head
"Jesus Saves" is what it raved in a typical tattoo green
He stood on a box in the middle of the city
And claimed he had a dream

{chorus}:
What will people think when they hear that I'm a Jesus freak
What will people do when they find that it's true
I don't really care if they label me a Jesus freak
There ain't no disguising the truth

Kamikaze my death is gain
I've been marked by my Maker
A peculiar display
The high and lofty they see me as weak
Cause I won't live and die for the power they seek

There was a man from the desert with naps in his head
The sand that he walked was also his bed
The words that he spoke made the people assume
There wasn't too much left in the upper room
With skins on his back and hair on his face
They thought he was strange by the locusts he ate
The Pharisee's tripped when they heard him speak
Until the king took the head of this Jesus freak

{repeat chorus}

People say I'm strange, does it make me a stranger
That my best friend was born in a manger
People say I'm strange, does it make me a stranger
That my best friend was born in a manger

{repeat chorus twice}

What will people think
[What will people think]
What will people do
[What will people do]
I don't really care
[What else can I say]
There ain't no disguising the truth
[Jesus is the way]

2007-07-20 05:58:10 · 14 answers · asked by Anonymous

We make decent money, we are constantly broke, just last year, with less income we did great, now barely affording any groceries.
My 18 year old daughter moved into a rental with her jobless wonder boyfriend. She doesnt even have towells, trash bags, toilet paper, soap, dishes, vaccum, cleaning supplies or well, nothing except a bed, tv, couch and some decorations. WHAT was she thinking??? She has NO gas money and NO grocery money...does not get paid until the 31st. I cannot help her and frankly am ticked she did this...
Need GOD to intervene!
PLEASE HELP!!!

2007-07-20 05:58:00 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous

I hear us pagans are going to hell in a hand basket and that Friday is hell in a handbasket day. I think I will choose one shaped like a Harley.

2007-07-20 05:57:45 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous

2007-07-20 05:57:15 · 12 answers · asked by Brent James 1

"The Worship of God is a Duty, the hearing and reading of Sermons may be useful; but if Men rest in Hearing and Praying, as too many do, it is as if a Tree should value itself on being water’d and putting forth Leaves, tho’ it never produced any Fruit."

Ben Franklin (the hundred dollar bill guy) in a letter to Joseph Huey dated June 6, 1753

2007-07-20 05:56:58 · 17 answers · asked by Anonymous

2007-07-20 05:55:12 · 35 answers · asked by Anonymous

home now the old stiff give me a dressing down no more talking **** as he put it while i work re last question its not fair cant we talk in between times

2007-07-20 05:52:07 · 6 answers · asked by astra 5

2007-07-20 05:50:25 · 23 answers · asked by Anonymous

I would love to hear active mormons state something hypothetical that would shake their faith. Something like the prophet having a gay lover or the tabernacle being struck down by a tornado (did that happen already?). Anyway, it's just for fun.

2007-07-20 05:50:13 · 6 answers · asked by Bgirl9488 3

"I have stared into the eyes of the angel of death, and he blinked"
Who is ready to face their own mortality, and who is self deluded? How many people do you think really know the difference?

2007-07-20 05:50:10 · 16 answers · asked by Enigma®Ragnarökin' 7

No-one, in all of human history, has ever come up with one single scrap of evidence or valid argument for the non-existence of a god, so on what basis do people confidently assert that "God is not real"? Surely a bold statement like that should be supported with *something* tangible...?

2007-07-20 05:43:07 · 30 answers · asked by Anonymous

Or is that just a coincidence?

My own beliefs---Asatru, Norse heathenry---are often seen as a "guy" thing, all warrior-ish and burly and hoorah and virile, and certainly warriorship is a part of them . . . yet in their originating cultures, women owned property, could choose to divorce, managed estates and commanded armies, despite that. And heathen women today are STILL strong and equal. Scary, too. :-)

Does seeing Deity as both singular and male *lead* to patriarchy and misogyny? Is it inevitable?

2007-07-20 05:41:34 · 7 answers · asked by Boar's Heart 5

...And died in the centuries where God's word was law?

Jews as well and Blacks were both called "scum of the earth".

While the White man was at the other end of the spectrum...

So are we allowed to enslave God if he was created in his image which is basically black, white, brown etc skin....?

How come god permitted slavery?

This proves god ALLOWED racsim and slavery...

= all religions are wrong....

2007-07-20 05:40:57 · 50 answers · asked by Anonymous

Tartarus - the angel who presides over Hell (or a term for hell itself). The angel, usually Uriel or Tartaruchus, is in charge of the torments of the nether regions, as already noted. For the names of other angels of these regions, see Angels of Hell. See particularly entry of Duma(h), who is "prince of Hell" and "angel of the stillness of death."

-A Dictionary of Angels
including the fallen angels

I ask this question because yesterday there was a question on the forum http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AnjJJs1uPJiPEnn0HywTjdXsy6IX?qid=20070719190215AAKBsdh&show=7#profile-info-8c21901f1ceff458aaee34639d61afa9aa that brought up Tartarus. From reading the text in my book of the angels I stated that Tartarus is another name for hell.

Does or doesn't the text word for word from the book say that Tartarus is another name for hell?

I just have to know if I am reading this correctly.

2007-07-20 05:40:53 · 4 answers · asked by white_painted_lady 5

are you ok with the fact that most of the stories in the bible, including the story of jesus, were incorporated from other older religions?

i'm not saying you're wrong in your beliefs, i am just curious if you know where they stem from, and if so, how that affects you?

2007-07-20 05:38:36 · 23 answers · asked by Anonymous

I had some questionable leadership growing up and I am just curious if others have experienced anything similar. Thanks!

2007-07-20 05:37:53 · 5 answers · asked by Bgirl9488 3