What is wrong with polygamy?

Question

What legal excuse did the US use to excuse outlawing it in Utah Territory before it could become a state? If it was working for them why did they have to change? What is so threatening that a there is a federal law against it?

We are talking about a territory that had women's sufferage. Women LOST the vote when Utah became a state.

Answer 1

The U.S. did not outlaw polygamy in Utah. According to the Constitution of the United States, Congress does not have the power to do so. (That doesn't stop them these days though.) The Congress let it be known to Utah that the rest of the country did not approve of the practice and that Utah would not receive statehood untill the Territory of Utah itself outlawed it.

The "Christian" right wing is totaly against plural marriage, but I have never been able to figure out why. There must be a secret passage in the Bible somewhere. I don't remember it.

The main thing wrong with polygamy is that it can be awfully expensive if there is only one man to support several women and kids. This makes it not fair. Poor guys can't afford to have as much fun. Under our system, the underpriveliged feel that they have every right to the same benefits as the wealthy.

It can also be a real pain. Can you imagine several women living under the same roof? I wouldn't want to be there when tempers flare.

Answer 2

They didn't excuse Utah. It is a federal law. It applies everywhere in the US. The Mormon Church also passed doctrine forbidding it almost immediately after the federal law went into effect. There are still people who practice it claiming to be Mormon, but those people are nothing more than cultists using religon for their own sick and twisted purposes. Many of those "polygamists" are nothing more than child molesters and rapists forcing women and girls to illegally marry them against thier will for purposes of sexual gratification. Many of those girls are in thier early teens, some even younger. As far as what's wrong with polygamy itself, other than the legallity of it, all depends on your own personal morals, however there is no excuse for what these cultists are doing.

Answer 3

It is for the most part illegal except Utah. Utah is so creepy it is like it has its own little world. Polygamy is a horrid thing and it cause so many women to suffer. All sort of 15 year old girls are FORCED to marry 40 year old men who already have a few wives. It is awful. If a girl refuses to marry someone she is disowned by her parents.

Answer 4

They actually do still allow polygamy in Utah and a few other Western states. Officially it's illegal but as long as some guy isn't walking around Salt Lake City with 6 wives and his 20 kids the authorities leave them alone for the most part.

Answer 5

It was a matter of social and economic policy that was actually driven by christian ideals (yes, I am separating christian from mormon only for the purpose of this answer.). Now, the policies have changed some, but the background of "christian" ideals still prevail, sadly enough. However, keep in mind that if you wish to marry someone in the church, the state can't tell you No (or Yes). That's purely the business of the church. It only matters if you declare the marriage under law.

Answer 6

Many people believe that God put two people together, and that is the best way, to raise children, to have binding contracts, and to promote the best and healthy families.
What is wrong with beastiality?
What is wrong with homosexuals marriage?
What is wrong with any kind of sexual expression?
There has to be drawn lines somewhere.

Answer 7

"Polygamy is one wife too many. Monogamy is the same."-Oscar Wilde

Answer 8

Moral "christain" legislatures. there was no legal excuse other then that they could.

Answer 9

How would you like to be one of several husbands?

Answer 10

i never could afford it