As long as they're marrying other adults and nobody is being abused, I couldn't care less how many people they marry. I suppose it gets complicated when you try and use the legal (tax) benefits of marriage that many times, but there's no way the state will let them do that anyway.

I'm with you, Mich. I think the government should only recognize one primary union, for tax purposes, benefits from companies, next of kin in case of emergencies, etc. But, beyond that, I don't care if a man has one wife or 20. (Or if a woman has one husband or 20, or if a man has one wife and three husbands. It just doesn't matter to me.) It's not for me. (I'd get way too jealous.) But, consenting adults should be able to do what they want to do. Also, I think if consenting adults were permitted to be polygamous, it would somehow make it simpler to discover and prosecute those who are forcing people into polygamy. (If that makes any sense.)

I don't care how many people you marry, but if bigamy is against the law, you may be arrested. That's not religious prosecution, that's just upholding the laws.

For example, if my religion required human sacrifice, I would probably be arrested. I could argue religious prosecution but I would have broken the law and would need to be punished.

I think I agree with Lil on this one. Polygamy is all right but only one union should be the primary union for tax purposes ect. If it were made legal, wouldn't it be harder for them to marry under aged girls as they are so often accused of doing?

Well I think you ought to be able to have as many "next of kin" in your hospital room as you want, and businesses ought to be in charge of determining who can be included in benefit packages. But yes, taking polygamy out of the shadows might make it easier to detect legitimate victimization.

Consenting adults should be allowed to engage in human sacrifice. What kind of nannystate is this?

I wasn't thinking in terms of how many people would be in the room, I was thinking in terms of who would decide whether to keep you on life support. If you have more than legal spouse and they disagree, things could get ugly.

And as far as health benefits go, I was thinking that if you have more than one legal spouse, it would make it much easier for people to sue companies and could result in lengthy and expensive legal battles for those companies.

Oh, I wasn't thinking of the life-support question. I guess that could get tricky with multiple spouses. Perhaps some sort of spousal hierarchy could be worked out? Anyway, it's not so tricky of a problem that a little legislation couldn't help.

Good point. I just think it's something that should definitely be worked out before the problem arises.

Interesting points, guys. I see the tricky issues that could come out of legal polygamy, as far as life support and other questions, but if those issues can be worked out, I don't see why polygamy should be illegal as long as, as Mich says, "they're marrying other adults and nobody is being abused, I couldn't care less how many people they marry."

Unfortunately, as it's illegal there right now, the polygamists should certainly expect to be arrested and prosecuted.

I agree with Mich, in as long as it's consenting adults, I could care less about how many people a person marries. However, since he is obviously breaking the law, then that's a completely different scenario.

Also, the connection to FLDS is causing me to raise my eyebrows about the idea of "consenting" adults.

I agree Mich with everything you said, and by that logic I also think that same sex marriage should be legal.

"I think the government should only recognize one primary union, for tax purposes, benefits from companies, next of kin in case of emergencies, etc. But, beyond that, I don't care if a man has one wife or 20. (Or if a woman has one husband or 20, or if a man has one wife and three husbands. It just doesn't matter to me.) It's not for me. (I'd get way too jealous.) But, consenting adults should be able to do what they want to do."

Amen, Lil!!! I agree wholeheartedly with that!

lilkimbo - it's great to see you around!

Thanks, amy! I have been lurking a bit, but I have been really busy with work. I won't be around as much as I was at the height of my posting. (Because really, who has that much time?) But, I am going to try to come back and post every now and then.

"As long as they are consenting adults they should be allowed to kill each other."

Eh...is this one man really that great that these three women are like "let's all marry Bob!" If he is then CLONE HIM.

I'm in agreement Mich. They're all consenting adult. It's not for me but I'm not going to knock it.

Lilkimbo - that's great! I'll look forward to reading your posts!

Personally I have no problem with polygamy as long as the relationships are genuine free willed commitments of love without manipulation, brainwashing or entrapment and the young women and in a few cases I'm sure young men are of legal age.

I agree with my churches view that Polygamy is against what God wants in a marriage.

"The unity of marriage, distinctly recognized by our Lord, is made clear in the equal personal dignity which must be accorded to man and wife in mutual and unreserved affection. Polygamy is contrary to conjugal love which is undivided and exclusive."

and yes i know that the bible has at least 40 polygamists in it, such as abraham, jacob, solomon and David, but it was not the norm.

I'm not getting in that one.

I think polygamists, and their whining about being persecuted, are boring. Not in a 'I'm so above this post' way, but in a 'Ugh, let's cross the street, it's them' way.

I agree with the majority- I have nothing against polygamy if it is between consenting adults however it is currently against the law and they should expect to be arrested. I am surprised that polygamists don't work with gay right advocates -after all the bottom line is the same- consenting adults should live however they choose.

How come you also never hear of a chick having multiple husbands? I mean with the exception of some broad on unsolved mysteries who was married to a few and than killed them off

"How come you also never hear of a chick having multiple husbands?"

I think it's 'cause we know better. Dealing with one at a time is quite enough

There is also the "certain things are only okay for men to enjoy" aspect of some sects, but I prefer to think that, like I said, we know better.

Yeah I learned that the hard way Jude, LOL!

Hey, sometimes that's the only way one learns

That's one reason I find it dull CG, it's too much a man's game.

Wouldnt it be awesome to see some woman all dressed nicely, modern, and her 5 husbands in the backround wearing amish like clothes and beards holding babies, with mops in the other hand? although i find amish dudes wierdly hot since the movie "witness"

That'd be hilarious.

I'd love to see a trend of celebrity matriarchal polygamy. Angelina could start it.

Hey there's women like that. It just doesn't have anything to do with religion that's all, lol.

Why Angelina? These polygamist husband are never anything to look at! Why not Ugly Betty?

Oooo see I'd be in Angelina's group honey, anything to get close to Brad, lol.

Angelina does it and before long, men will be killing each other to sign up.

See what I mean?!?!?

They could live on the "elizabeth taylor" wives with multiple hubbys ranch.

"Unfortunately, as it's illegal there right now, the polygamists should certainly expect to be arrested and prosecuted." So it makes it right to arrest them, since it is the law. Was that the way you felt about inter racial relationships being illegal? What about when homosexuality was illegal in many states? Did it make it right to persecute them for those acts, or should you stand up to it? What about in countries such as somalia, where a homosexual act can have you put to death (for both men and women)Life sentence in Uganda for men, sudan 5-years to death, nigeria up to death, bangladesh life in prison to death... Do you just stand idly by and say, well it's the law...
And I question their actual marriages. Where they done in the court system with licenses? It doesn't seem that way, because Canada could just not issue them a license and negate the marriage, right? So why do they care? SAme argument for homosexual marriage. And i thought Canada was so much more open-minded then us bigoted Americans.

"So it makes it right to arrest them, since it is the law. Was that the way you felt about inter racial relationships being illegal? What about when homosexuality was illegal in many states? Did it make it right to persecute them for those acts, or should you stand up to it?"

Hainan, do me a favor and don't twist my words into something they're clearly not. What I said was:

Unfortunately, as it's illegal there right now, the polygamists should certainly expect to be arrested and prosecuted.

Doesn't my use of the word "unfortunately" kind of tip you off to the fact that I don't agree with the outlawing of polygamy between consenting adults? My point in that sentence was, quite clearly, that since they are breaking the law, they should expect to be arrested if they're caught. As anyone who breaks any law should expect. It has nothing to do with whether I approve or disapprove of the law itself. I didn't say arresting them was "right." Only that it should be expected.

For instance, I disagree with the ban on drinking on public beaches in San Diego, and have signed petitions and voted and etc. to try to get that ban repealed, but in the meantime, if I choose to have a drink on a public beach here, I should expect some consequences.

Jude, what? You can't drink alcohol on public beaches in San Diego??

Jude do you drink on the beach?

Martini: Yep. You get a ticket or something. I mean, there are good reasons for it, but I still don't agree.

Bella: Nope, not anymore. We used to take six-packs of Smirnoff Ice or whatever to the beach, though.

hmmmmmm....thanks for telling me that, Jude! good to know for my upcoming trip!!

That sucks, Jude. Beach + Beer = somebody's idea of HEAVEN!

I thought of you when I posted that Forgot to tell you about it before.

Exactly, Tia!

I see what you mean, but a lot of people on here seem complacent about the issue. like, well that's just how it is. You know what I mean? And I think if the US is fighting for homosexual rights and have stricken all laws making homosexuality illegal from our books, then we shouldn't be complacent about a law making this illegal.

Nothing like a bonfire without beer!

Wouldnt it be awesome to see some woman all dressed nicely, modern, and her 5 husbands in the backround wearing amish like clothes and beards holding babies, with mops in the other hand? although i find amish dudes wierdly hot since the movie "witness"

Oh yes please!