Polygamy / Polyamory, thoughts?

[Darwinsbulldog]

Religion aims to steal, subvert, alter, repress any and all human emotions or actions/behaviors that do not reinforce the said religion. God is prioritized over everything else. Religion invents a social reality, even at the cost of reality. George Orwell in "1984" was painting a picture of ideological faith, but he could just have easily have made it about the Jackboot of religion. Religion means agreeing that 2+2=5, or so help you god.

So marriage or indeed any relationship need not be tainted by the prejudices of ass-custard faith. Marriage is good [or not] depending on the participants and what they agree to make of it, as Dancer says.

[Dancer]

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news...4c21aead5e6d58

Interesting

[Dancer]

Sorry Mr B - Of course. I was just wanting to capture the eclipse

This is elaborated on in the book "Sex at Dawn"..

"The institution of marriage and cultural assumptions of monogamy arrived with agriculture and property ownership. In the last four to five decades everything has changed, though: religion has lost its grip on life, we are rich in material goods as well as opportunities, we have greater choices in lifestyles, there's more equality and equality of opportunity, women can make do without having to be married to a man who keeps her.
"And this brings out human desire, which is multifarious to say the least. Polyamory is the sweet result of modernity."

For me the interesting parts in the article include:
1. That marriage is still such an important component in society, despite it's historically bigotted boundaries.
2. It is warming for people in 'open,' 'polyamorous' or 'ethical non-monogomous' relationships to receive more and more recognition that such relationships can and do work well and lovingly.

Fred, is just Fred as per usual no suprise.

[Grendel]

I think there is the validation type of recognition that some people need, and then there is the protections given by law and I think they are the most important. The only thing I want is to have my choices as an adult in establishing consenting rewltionships with other adults respected and to be not discriminated against on the basis of those choices. Pretty much what homosexual people have been seeking. I do not like having to self-censor all the time when the rest of my life is open and my relationships (to those who know me well) are transparent and ethical. Unusual, hell yes, but rich and full.

The article in the Australian walked a fine line between "none of anyone's business so let it be" to the addition of Fred Nile for sensationalism. Fred is a Jerk, represents a hardcore conservatism and always gets AirPlay as a result. Still a jerk though.

[messier_77]

Maybe you should ask the women of polygamy, who are often forced to marry much older men when they are quite young. This is not common, but still happens, usually in the US state of Utah. And do you think it should be limited to men, or should women be able to marry dozens of men as well?

[Dancer]

Originally Posted by messier_77

Maybe you should ask the women of polygamy, who are often forced to marry much older men when they are quite young. This is not common, but still happens, usually in the US state of Utah. And do you think it should be limited to men, or should women be able to marry dozens of men as well?

Read the thread properly (or use google) and you will see the difference between polyamory and polygamy. I don't support polygamy. Polyamory is vastly different.

Edit: And I've seen enough interviews of young women who have been subjected to polygamous lifestyles and they will say they are quite happy (whether it be true or not). In saying that, I'm sure there are many relationships involving one man and two women, often with the women having an intimate relationship with each other as well. As long as everyone is happy and it's equal, why not?

[Logic please]

Originally Posted by messier_77

Maybe you should ask the women of polygamy, who are often forced to marry much older men when they are quite young. This is not common, but still happens, usually in the US state of Utah.

You'd be thinking of the mormons, I'll wager.

Any marriage or relationship arrangement is demonstrably unethical, if coerced, or if a free and informed choice is denied to any of the participants.

That's not really a question related to the type of marriage or relationship, IMHO.

Originally Posted by messier_77

And do you think it should be limited to men, or should women be able to marry dozens of men as well?

This question was canvassed upthread here and here, for example.

For myself, if accepted at all, there's no rational reason for gender discrimination, it should be allowed equally, or not at all.

[Grendel]

Messier, I am not sure if you are serious or not - so I will frame my response on the assumption that you were.

As has been stated in the responses above, any relationship where coercion is a factor is ethically wrong. In a relationship with multiple partners of any gender or orientation, where there is openness and honesty and freedom to remain or depart, there is (iin my view) no wrong being done. I have the very same view of monogamous relationships framed with the same openness and honesty. I do not see one as better than the other, but equally valid - from a logical perspective.

[Lilith]

Originally Posted by messier_77

Maybe you should ask the women of polygamy, who are often forced to marry much older men when they are quite young. This is not common, but still happens, usually in the US state of Utah. And do you think it should be limited to men, or should women be able to marry dozens of men as well?

Ugh.. comparing consensual polyamorist relationships with coerced multiple marriages is as absurd as saying that some people drink and drive, therefore all driving is wrong.

[Grendel]

ROFL Lilith, that was the example I nearly used as an analogy!