Why are so many Christians so opposed to polygamy?

Question

Not only do almost all of the Biblical patriarchs have multiple wives, but Jesus himself never comes close to criticizing polygamy. In fact, as you may recall, in the Parable of the10 Virgins (Matthew 25) Jesus distinguishes between 5 virgins who were wise and 5 who were foolish. They are all waiting for their groom to arrive and the 5 that prepare their oil lamps in anticipation of his arrival are rewarded with his "companionship" and he shuts the door in disgust on the 5 foolish virgins who failed to prepare. Of course, the theme is about preparing for the Judgement, but my point is that Jesus plainly had no problem with the fact of polygamy, and in this story he implicitly approves of it. I have spoken with countless Christians who aren't familiar with even this elementary story (I mean really, guys, the Gospel of Matthew?) so if you wonder why social "liberals" are so quick to respond patronizingly to evangelical moralizing about sexual issues, here's a start.

Oh brother, where do I begin? For the record, I'm not advocating polygamy, I am asking how Christians could possibly oppose it on Biblical grounds? We really need more classes on logic and debate in this country! It is utterly absurd to interpret this story as anything other than a polygamous one, this story is absolutely NOT ABOUT FLIRTING! Geesh, some of you, please, please, please read a book before it's too late. You might be pleasantly surprised about how much you have to learn from thinking, educated people! I mean no disrespect, but where does the ignorance end?

Somtimes I wonder if some of you believe yourselves. The point of the story is about the judgement, but the story itself reveals how Jesus perceived polygamy...IT WASN"T AN ISSUE. Jesus wasn't exactly shy about condemning things that he felt were morally wrong. If he were opposed to polygamy, not only would he have mentioned it, but within a parable about the judgement, he wouldn't have included this story about a bunch of wives with 1 bridgegroom, in the process describing 5 of them as "wise". An analogy would be him describing an adulterous woman as "wise" for preparing for her husband's arrival from work by washing up after her lover departs. If he were to do that, that we could deduce that he didn't in fact actually disapprove of adultery. To repeat: He doesn't explicitly approve of polygamy because it wasn't a moral issue for him at all. If it were, he would have mentioned it, and He certainly wouldn't have cited people who were engaging in immoral activities as "wise".

Hi Cachanilla,

Thanks so much for your intelligent, thoughtful response. The problem with the parable being about bridesmaids is that bridesmaids are a temporary, relatively insignificant part of a bridegroom's existence. Jesus was absolutely brilliant with language. He wouldn't have compared His relationship to the Church with the relationship of bridesmaids to a groom. That analogy wouldn't work at all. The groom doesn't love bridesmaids, he doesn't even develop lasting affection for bridesmaids! If he had shut bridesmaids out of his life, what would they be missing out on, other than some temporary excitement? This would not have been tragic for the bridesmaids, as it should be if we were to miss out on our eternally loving relationship with Jesus. If anything, if the parable were about bridesmaids, it should tell us that our failure to prepare would lead to minor, short term disappointment.

Answer 1

Your misinterpretation of the that portion of scriptures is contrary to what the whole Bible has to say about the sanctity of marriage. One man and one woman. We are to love, honor, and respect each other. To grow together with each other and in our reltionship with Jesus Christ. That my friend will keep us busy for the rest of our lives.

Answer 2

Jesus told the following parables to clarify further what it means to be ready for his return and how to live until he comes. In the story of the ten virgins (Matt 25:1-13), we are taught that every person is responsible for his or her own spiritual condition. The story of the talents (25:14-30) shows the necessity of using well what God has entrusted to us. The parable of the sheep and goats (25:31-46) stresses the importance of serving others in need. No parable by itself completely describes our preparation. Instead, each paints one part of the whole picture.

This parable is about a wedding. On the wedding day the bridegroom went to the bride's house for the ceremony; then the bride and groom, along with a great procession, returned to the groom's house where a feast took place, often lasting a full week.
These ten virgins were waiting to join the procession, and they hoped to take part in the wedding banquet. But when the groom didn't come at the expected time, five of them were out of lamp oil. By the time they had purchased extra oil, it was too late to join the feast.
When Jesus returns to take his people to heaven, we must be ready. Spiritual preparation cannot be bought or borrowed at the last minute. Our relationship with God must be our own.

Jesus spoke in parables. People who are not filled with the Holy Spirit won't understand. They will be confused. That's how Jesus wanted it.
Study it for yourself.

Answer 3

In the Law of Moses the kings were commanded to not multiply wives lest their hearts depart from the Lord. David and Solomon disregarded this and indeed their hearts did depart from the Lord. Polygamy caused the habitual lust that turned David into a wife stealer and murderer and caused Israel to be divided. Solomon also disobeyed and his heart turned to strange wives who brought in pagan idol worship which led to Israel's utter ruin.

Jesus taught that from the beginning God created man (one) and woman (one) and twain (two) they shall become one flesh. Paul teaches that ministers should be the husband of one wife.

If you are a Mormon trying to defend polygamy your Book of Mormon most bitterly condemns polygamy. In Jacob 2 it states emphatically that yes, David and Solomon truly had many wives and concubines which thing was abominable to God. It repeatedly teaches that a man should have one wife only and concubines none. LDS folks never address the concubine issue that they say God justified. Come on... unmarried live in mistresses in the same house??? God justifies this???

Our relationship with Jesus is spiritual, not physical. There never is any sort of sexual contact. The comparison of the virgins is the church is the bride and Jesus is the groom in that they make a special covenant with each other. Jesus offers His blood on the cross for our sins and covenants with us to give us His saving grace if we obey His commandments. We agree to this by the covenant of baptism. While there are similarities between man and woman marriages and our relationship with God, there are also differences. We cannot misinterpret a parable which is speaking only in types and shadows and ignore directly worded scriptures that forbid polygamy, adultery and other sexual sins.

According to LDS history many of Brigham Young's wives described the situation as "a perfect flood of tears" and "I have not been happy a single day for five years" clearly showing that for the women it is a very unpleasant situation. Many of Young's wives considered themselves abandoned and obtained a divorce or annullment. They knew deep down in their hearts what was REALLY going on was the fact that their husband was in the arms of another woman and it was adultery pure and simple.

Answer 4

Polygamy was stopped, in the Jewish religion, by the time Jesus came, so there was no need to speak or it. Or it maybe better to say "write it down" for no where close to the amount of words Jesus said got written down.
But think of it IF it was so well active today, most men could not have wives for they would not be available to marry, since others would have married many to hundreds.
When I was growing up there were families with 12 children or more. That dose not happen today because we could not afford it. So how could one afford many wives and all their children too?

Answer 5

Polygamy is for greedy, selfish and inconsiderate men. Not fair to the woman at all. You may also recall Jesus saying that a man and woman (1 each) come together and make one body. The 2 become 1, not the 5.

Answer 6

The only place in the New Testament that is against polygamy is in one of Paul's Epistle where monogamy is required to serve as a minster. This is usually taken, out of context, to indicate that only men can be ministers, though the original Greek does not state that.

Answer 7

the virgins have nothing to do with polygamy. by the time Jesus came on the scene, polygamy was almost considered pagan.

considering every guy in the Bible I can name who had multiple wives had serious wife issues, I'd say it isn't a good idea. starting with Lamech in Genesis 4, I know of no polygamist without wife troubles. you want examples: David for example with Bathsheba. Solomon's thousand. you name it.

Answer 8

ok first of all, you already know by what you just said that if you take this scripture out of context and you know it has to do with the judgment of God then you CAN'T use it as a valid excuse or reason to have pologamy #1 and #2, the Bible says, "a husband will leave his father and mother and be joined with a wife and the two shall become one flesh" not WIVES.

Answer 9

The Catholic Church believes that God himself is the author of marriage and has created it for one man and one woman.

The Gospel writers do not record Jesus criticizing polygamy because it was not commonly practiced. The practice of a very few kings and such does not make for common practice.

When Jesus does discuss marriage (and not as a parable about the Kingdom of God), he specifically describes it as being between one man and one woman.

"So they are no longer two, but one flesh." (Matthew 19:6)

For more information, see the Catechism of the Catholic Church, section 1601 and following: http://www.usccb.org/catechism/text/pt2sect2chpt3art7.htm

With love in Christ.

Answer 10

I don't know. I'm a Christian and am not personally against polygamy and/or polyandry, myself. If all of the people involved are consenting adults, then it's their own business. I don't believe in attempting to dictate to grown adults what kind of relationships they should have.