Should we consider making polygamy (plural marriage) legal? Why or why not?

I am not really sure about this topic. At first my opinion was going to be no but then I read the first post and it seemed more along the lines I would reply. As long as all the wives/husbands know what is going on then I believe it should be within their own discretion on which they choose. If a women knows she will be 1 of 2 wives and agrees to it then I guess it is fine with me. I don't really believe on telling people how they should live their lives unless someone is going to get hurt in the process.

As long as there is no distinction between males and females in this aspect (i.e. females would equally have the right to take more than one husband or wife), and all parties were aware and consenting, I really don't have a problem with it. However, because it is such a sensitive topic, I do not think that a simple signature or oath would suffice. I think that it would be worthwhile to require parties to first agree to a mental evaluation in order to determine if any brainwashing or mental abuse was happening first.

I'm all for it WITHIN REASON...I mean having 100 wives just doesnt make sense to me and though I wouldnt personally have issues with it since it wouldnt be affecting me any, I'd be concerned about the mental state and well being of all those wives....HOWEVER if a man wanted 2 or 3 wives and the women were all for it AND of course they are of legal consent etc then whats the big deal...same with if a woman wanted to have 2 or 3 husbands...I see nothing wrong wiht it...Hell if I could have been married to my hsuband AND my bf I'd have done it in a heartbeat LOL

Well, this could be a real can of worms indeed. It has been argued that gay marriage could open the door to many other types of marriage that is currently illegal. The government is violating the 1st Amendment by even being involved in marriage in the first place. Separation of Church and State is a legal fiction... there is no such phrase or reference in the Constitution. The Establishment Clause simply says that the government will not establish a government religion, and that is all it says. It has nothing to do with prayer in schools, or any of that other nonsense.

I believe that as long as it is between consenting adults it is irrelevant how many spouses you have. Much like homosexuality polygamy is not for me, but I don't care if you practice it, why should I? What you do in the privacy of your own home is no business of mine, so long as no one is getting hurt.

A marriage license is a legal document and has nothing to do with anyone's ability to practice their religious beliefs or to live as they see fit. The lack of an official marriage license has not stopped polygimst groups in this country from performing multiple "spiritual" marriages so I don't see any conflict with separation of church and state in this area. My personal view on polygamy is this. If all parties are in agreement and the family is able to support itself without asking for government assistance, I have no problem with it. What I do have a problem with is welfare fraud when the "single" mother(s) apply for welfare benefits, forcing the state to subsidize the family's chosen lifestyle.

Yes, polyandry and polygamy should both be legal, and not just on a religious basis. People at or above the age of consent should be allowed to marry whom they wish, be it out of love or a marriage of convenience.

And just because I'm an antagonist, while we're here, what about incest? An incest marriage between two consenting adults? How would everyone feel about that?

One of the issues about polygamy in this day is the amount of men who sit on their butts all day taking the money the wives make either through working or collecting welfare. Along with this we have possible abuse, which might include child abuse in the form of neglect, etc. I'm just as certain there are circumstances that go the other way and all involved are in the best of lives. As for gays. If they want to be married who am I to say no? I just think the laws on domestic partnerships should be changed. Marriage is way way (plus a thousand) overrated.

It would indeed only be fair, if they would allow this as well. As somebody else said, it should be equal though, same right for men and women to take as many spouses as they want. It's not for me. One spouse is plenty to deal with, lol. But if it would make others happy, they should be able to do this.

I believe that there is nothing wrong with polygamy. As long as the persons engaging it are happy, then it's okay. We don't have the right to not let hem happy. If they love each other, then go.

Personally I think between consenting adults it would be fine. We are suppost to have a separation of church and state. And sence a marriage licence is given by the state I do not where they have the right to sell gay people they can't marry or tell people how many people they can marry. Also as long as it is fair on all sides. Meaning....women can have multiple husbands along with men being allowed to have multiple wives. Personally it is not for me. One HB is plenty. But who am I to tell someone else they can't.

I would have to say only because of the ratio between male and female is getting so distant, that the idea of plural marriage isn't a bad idea. All our men are off to war and most aren't coming back... *Pleiades

It is hard enough to have a special relationship with one person, I personally do not understand it where their are more than one wife/husband. For me it would not work and i believe it is wrong.....BUT if other consenting adults wanted to live that way, that would be up to them. If it was legalized (polygamy) It would sure put a lot of attorneys out of business because people would stop getting divorced and just move on......... As for gay marriages I believe that it is wrong. But i would never try to step in and try to tell someone else how to live their lives. Each person should have the right to make up their own mind how they wish to live. The government should not have the right to step in and tell consenting adults how to live. As for us that believe that it is wrong because of our faith in God, should not be called names because of our beliefs.....God gave each of us the gift of Free will, so we could all choose what we wish to do with our lives, even if it is the wrong choice. It is not my place or anyone else's to judge how others live.

The only way plural marriage should be allowed should be if it is as well for a woman to have many husbands, as it is for a man to have many wives, and only in the cases of conscenting adults. I do worry that polygamy (many woman for one man) would lead to more domestc violence. Violence against women is already a sad reality in society. It should not be increased.

hmmm Well, yes if it is truly consentual, then maybe it should be legal. Forgive my ingorance here, but I still haven't completely figured if there truly is supposed to be as separation of politics and religion in this country. That seems to be open for debate. From the little bit that I have seeen on the news, there are some accusations that some of these marriages aren't truly consentual. To me, this is a tough one to be honest. So...what are your thoughts on it?

As one who has at times practised polygamy, I am all for it. But in practical terms, it makes very little difference whether one has a licence or simply lives in sin. Since wealth and property have never really been an issue for me, I've not had to give that much thought, but I wouldn't imagine it would be too difficult to set up a legal document, something like a pre-nup, to ensure equitable property distribution in the case of break-ups. If I were involved in a multiple partner (group) marriage, I would simply run the economics of it as a limited partnership, with each partner's share clearly indicated at a glance from the partnership books, with again a legal document limiting the ability of disgruntled members to "screw" the family, or vice versa. That's exactly how I run my monogamous partnerships in any case. Lash

I assume we will soon see gay men having 3 or 4 male wives? And gay women 3 or 4 or more female husbands? Or when they marry are they wives? It could get pretty confusing...

Taskr- I don't have a problem with either. I'm for gay marriage and I wouldn't have a problem if this country allowed polyamist marriage. For myself, I'd not enter into one because I know that I'm a jealous person and want my husband to myself. However, if it is for others then it should be their right. My husband chimes in with Myk though, one wife is enough for him lol. He doesn't have enough time as it is between me, the kids, work, and school to deal with anything else lol. And as you said many countries do have such arrangements, or have had them in their history. It would take care of the females in the community as in some places women out number men. I would think it would be a difficult relationship on the man though, because he'd not only have to provide the intimacy for each woman, but provide them financially. Namaste-Anora

i think everyone should have a choice in who and how many people they want to marry.you have married people who have open relation ships which work wll for both.one husband is enough for me though.i can not see a problem with this as long as they didnt cause fraud on their state benefits,etc.