Atheists: I want your opinion?

Question

I asked this question awhile ago but it was mainly Christians who answered it...which was great because I wanted their opinion too, but I'm also looking for non-religious viewpoints.

Okay, so non-Christians: should polygamy be outlawed in our nation? Is making polygamy illegal infringing on people's rights...not only human rights but also religious rights?

I just find it very interesting that society for so long has pushed only monogamous heterosexual relationships on a legal level. It seems that polygamy is a victimless crime as long as it's not tied to things like forced marriage, child marriage, etc. In America, shouldn't people be allowed to marry who they want, even if that's more than one person? This ties into religion because for a lot of people, polygamy is a religious issue.

And yes, I have been watching a lot of Big Love lately.

Good points being raised on tax laws, etc. Never thought about it like that.

I use the term polygamy to cover all forms of plural marriages because that's what people associate it with. Polyamory is included too.

Answer 1

I'm a libertarian. As long as it's consenting adults (only), I'm fine with it. The legality would have to be worked out though because multiple marriages would certainly end up in multiple divorces.

I love Big Love!! New one is on tonight at 9 Eastern.

Answer 2

Let me start by saying I am an agnostic pagan (if that affects anything) who personally is not an advocate of polygamy/polyamory; I can love only one person at a time, romantically speaking.

Here's where my point comes in, though: that's just who I am. I find it very hard to be in a very intimate relationship with a girl, one that includes sexual activity, engagement, approaching marriage, then the next day go out with another and have the same exact feelings for her. I'd feel like I was betraying the other, making her feel like an option, or make both feel like I'm not happy enough with just one of them.

However, I am a very strong advocate of one of the most important concepts around: personal freedom. It's why I'm affiliated with the Libertarian Party. Even though I'd be biased towards heterosexual monogamy due to my being a hetersexual with one spouse, I see no reason at all for anyone else not to be able to do so. It's their life. It harms no one if everyone agrees on it. If the multiple spouses of the polygamist are all cool with being one of many spouses, cool beans.

So yeah, I am fully in favor of legalizing polygamy. Hell, nothing about marriage should be illegal. If you love the person, you should be able to be recognized as being together. Then again, who needs papers and legal work? If you know you love each other, that's all you need to keep a happy, steady relationship.

Answer 3

Polygamy was the cause of the founders of the early church of (you know who)

If people want to marry plurally,whats the difference from that and people cheating on each other. In this society even the most pious zealous believers always find an excuse to conjugate the verb.

If it does ecome legal I wonder if the leaders of the (you know who church) will receive a revalation saying their men should go for it. I've been out west, Seeing those horsefaced women, it would be no bargain.

As far as worrying about incest, the (you know whos) keep a pedigree on their members that is kept in a library. The largest in the world that esearches all over the world.

Answer 4

For the sake of disclosure, I am a former Mormon from the official LDS church and they do NOT participate in polygamy. I have also completely cut all ties to that religion and am an Atheist. Do not take anything that follows as Mormon doctrine.

My wife and I lead a polyamorous lifestyle as she is bisexual and actively seeks relationships with other women that we share in. For the most part these relationships are casual dating and purely for fun. That said, my wife has fallen in love with a couple of women and had that worked we would have taken them in.

From that perspective I find nothing wrong with anyone marrying more than one partner. I have never considered it myself but I can see how it would be a viable option for consenting adults who love each other. Of course the key here is CONSENTING ADULTS. I do not in any way condone the madness you find in those groups in south Utah, marrying 10 and 12 year-olds and forcing marriage on others. Such a thing is vile.

Answer 5

Your asking if people should be allowed to marry more than one person being strait or gay relationships.

I could care less about who or how many you marry.

The problem is all the entitlements that come along with marriage. If you actually did this then people would get married for the benefits not the union. Follow me?

A lot of really good answers to this question. A lot of very valid points. Very interesting isn't it? Not to many questions get such great answers with so many different perspectives.

Answer 6

No, I don't think that polygamy or polyamory or any other mutually agreed upon 'covenant' between consenting adults should be denied.

I know a family that consists of two adult women, two adult men, all of whom are romantically involved (they're all bi). They have a number of children who were born from various pairings. The children all attend school, all are considerably high on intelligence tests and academic acheivement, and are deeply moral and thoughtful kids.

Who am I to judge this family to be dysfunctional simply because they, consentingly, chose to have an unusual family?

Answer 7

Dear Rachel, Polygamy is new to the world , it is a sign of the anti-Christ. All through time Miltie marriage relationships have been acceptable and God protected.
1 Timothy 4
The Great Apostasy
1 Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, 2 speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron, 3 forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. 4 For every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be refused if it is received with thanksgiving;
This is my problem, that I Am true but none believe.

Answer 8

As an atheist, I have no issue with it at all -- IF the parties involved are happy and no morally reprehensible actions are taking place (child brides, forced marriages, rape, beatings, chld abuse, etc.) I've seen those MSNBC Specials & while it seems a cultish, it's up to the individuals involved. Personally, I wouldn't want to be a part of a plural family at all...the "yuck" factor's just too high; but hey, if folks choose to be for whatever reason, that's their business.

Answer 9

I don't think polygamy is a good idea, but current laws do nothing to stop it.

If you choose to have children by a dozen different people, you will not be charged with any crime.

If you choose to have a wedding ceremony with two different people, you WILL be charged with a crime.

Which one is really supposed to be the crime, the ceremony or the living, sleeping, and having children together?

Answer 10

Here's the short answer: In my opinion, any law that forbids or restricts someone from doing something that causes no measurable harm or loss or infringement of rights to anyone else is unjust. That includes polygamy, gay marriage and drug use.