This evening, I was watching the show “Secret Lives of Women” and the topic was polygamy. Now, I’m sure most of you know that polygamy is the practice of having more than one wife. However, I was extremely surprised to hear some of the polygamy practices of the Fundamentalist Latter Day Saints. Apparently, they are a sect of the Mormon religion that have refused to give up the practice of polygamy despite the fact that the Mormon Church outlawed it years ago.
Let me begin by saying that I’m all for religious freedom, or any other kind of freedom for that matter, however, they engage in some practices that I just cannot agree with. The polygamy part is not even the issue for me because adults can do whatever they want, as far as I’m concerned. If consenting adults want to be a party to a “marriage” involving more than two people far be it for me to judge. My problems arise when children are brought into this whole situation. Additionally, the fact that women as young as 14 years old are being forced into arranged marriages with men who are practically senior citizens is ridiculous.
According to the documentary, young women are forced to marry much older men and forced to give birth year after year with no regard for their health or their wishes. This is a return to archaic times when women were objectified and regarded as mere possessions by their male counterparts. I blame the mothers of these young girls for being terrible parents and subjecting their children to this kind of lifestyle. It’s one thing if they want to live this way but it is completely unacceptable that they expose their daughters to these abusive men and to this prehistoric existence.
This is just another way to excuse bad behavior on religion, if you ask me. Historically, a multitude of atrocities have been carried out in the name of God or religion and it is amazing that this practice continues to take place in a supposedly evolved society like the United States. At this point, nothing ceases to amaze me when it comes to religious fundamentalists. Unfortunately, my experience has been that the most evil people are the ones who preach and try to force their religious beliefs on others. Being religious does not excuse bad behavior, nor does it make you a better person. Only you are in control of whether you are a good or bad person, not your religious affiliations.
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Ur work reminded me of the second girl from the Chicago….the one who discover tht her man was married six times previously n murdered him!!!
Nehow…ur right!! Such practices are intolerable..in Islam a person is allowed to marry at max. up to four times bt not be married to more than one person at the same time!!
Great penmanship!!
Hi, Saadi. Believe me, my husband is only married to me. LOL If I ever found out that he was married six times he would end up with six lumps on his head. That is very interesting that in Islam, although you can be married up to four times, you cannot be married to more than one person at the same time. Tell me, what do they do before they can marry the new person, divorce them? This cultural practice makes a lot more sense to me than polygamy because at least they are only married to one person at a time. Thank you so much for passing by and commenting.
I am in total agreement with your viewpoint regard this issue. Just having an understanding about the word "FORCE" implies that whatever was forced, there is not, will not and can not be a choice of consent. Rights of all kind have been extended to people and causes without them earning them. Sad to say, we have gone so far in one direction regard loss of values and desency that I doubt we'll ever get back to faith and principles. Anyway, love your blog. Its a definet follow. See you again soon.
Well said, Clarence. You are right when you say that rights have been granted to so called "causes" that did nothing to earn them. These extreme religious sects that excuse their bad behavior with God are at the top of the list. Thank you for your comment and for following. I really appreciate it.