"Polygamy is a Sin for Christians"
By Vivi, April 13, 2022
This article is a rebuttal of minutes 19:15 through minutes 21:55 of a video on the Beroean Pickets channel which features James Penton. Eric Wilson introduces James Penton at the beginning of this video. It is entitled, "James Penton Discusses the Presidencies of Nathan Knorr and Fred Franz", by James Penton. The video was originally uploaded to the internet on March 13, 2020.The complete transcript of the video is on the beroeans .net website. In the following article, I'll be refuting only a 2 minute and 40 second portion of the video
I appreciate James Penton's vast knowledge of the history of the Watchtower Society. He is a professor of history, a book author, and a man who bravely left Watchtower long ago. Nevertheless, I strongly disagree with what he says regarding polygamy in the specified segment of his above-mentioned video.
Let's get right to it. Here is the transcript of those 2 minutes and 40 seconds of the James Penton video, as found on the Beroean Pickets website.
James Penton says:
##### QUOTE
"Also, if you had more than one wife, as many Africans did, and certain people had mistresses in Latin America, If you didn’t give up every woman, if you were married, except the first one to whom you were married, you were automatically driven out of the organization.
"Now, curiously, many people may not realize this, but there is no statement in the New Testament which says that polygamy in itself is wrong. Now, monogamy certainly was the ideal and Jesus stressed this, but not with any sense of legalism. What is clear in the New Testament is that no one could be an elder or a deacon, that is a ministerial servant, with more than one wife.
"That’s clear. But in foreign lands such as Africa and India, there were many cases where people became converts to Jehovah’s Witnesses and they had been living in polygamous relationships and suddenly they had to give up all of their wives except the first one. Now, in many cases, this was a terrible thing because the women were cast out, the second wives or third wives were cast out with no support at all, and life was terrible for them at that extent. Some Bible student movements who had broken away from Jehovah’s Witnesses, on the other hand, recognized the situation and said, look, if you can, if you convert to our teachings, you must know that you could never be an elder or a deacon in a congregation.
"But we’re not going to force you to give up your second wives because there is no specific statement in the New Testament which denies the possibility of having a second wife. If, that is, you come in from another background, another religion such as African religions or Hinduism or whatever it may be, and Knorr, of course, had no tolerance for this."
##### END QUOTE
A few days ago, I decided to write an article directly addressing the twisted reasoning by James Penton in the above quotation. It was then that I found a comment posted beneath the video in question on the Beroean Pickets website. The comment is by "mattlunsford". His comment gave me comfort and relief, because I saw that I was not alone in disagreeing with the above statements by James Penton. Here is that comment by "mattlunsford".
##### QUOTE
"mattlunsford
1 year ago
I mean no disrespect by bringing this thought to your attention but Jesus said at Luke 16:18 “Anyone who divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery, and the man who marries a divorced woman commits adultery.“
Polygamy is the marriage of more than one person. Therefore, Jesus said that polygamy is a serious sin against God equal to adultery. Jesus is not saying that it is merely the ideal or recommended but much more seriously, a commandment from Jehovah God.
Jim Penton said
“Now, curiously, many people may not realize this, but there is no statement in the New Testament which says that polygamy in itself is wrong. Now, monogamy certainly was the ideal and Jesus stressed this, but not with any sense of legalism.“
##### END QUOTE
Mattlunsford quoted Luke 16:18 in his comment. But let's read Jesus' words from Matthew's account, too, in order to give more context to the conclusion that mattlunsford has drawn. Matthew 19:8 and 9 says, "8 Jesus replied, “Moses permitted you to divorce your wives because of your hardness of heart; but it was not this way from the beginning. 9 Now I tell you that whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another woman, commits adultery.” BSB.
Certainly, Jesus did not say or imply that it would be all right for a man to take another wife "in addition" to the wife he already had. According to Jesus, only if a man's wife committed adultery could the man divorce his wife and marry another woman. Taking a wife "in addition" to his first wife, without divorcing that first wife, would still be adultery. Jesus doesn't say that the wife can give her husband "permission" to take an additional wife. Even if a husband were to manage to get his wife's "permission" for him to marry an additional wife, he would still be committing adultery with the additional woman. Our Lord Jesus tells Christians how marriage works. Christians don't tell Jesus how marriage works.
In his video, James Penton makes reference to those who come from "foreign lands", "another background", or "another religion". Here is one example from an Islamic website which shows how a polygamous marriage can sometimes begin. I'm including this example to help Christians who are unfamiliar with the practice of polygamy to see what polygamy does to women. Please read this "Question and Answer" to see how far away polygamy is from our Christian beliefs and practices for married couples. Islamic women are groomed by their religious leaders to accept polygamy.
From an Islamic website:
##### QUOTE
She asked him to divorce her if he takes a second wife
Question
My wife and i have discused me having a second wife and she sayes that if i do then she would devorse me.we did not get married by the kafirs but we do have a islamic contract. and there was no agreement on that contract forbiding me from taking a second wife.so my question is .Is it permisable for her to deny me this?And is'nt she making the hallal harram on me. my wife is a good muslimah (I.S.A.) and she would respect a answer whith proof. jazallahkum ma lakair
Answer
Praise be to Allah.
If a man is able to marry a second wife, physically and financially, and he can treat both wives in a just manner, and he wants to take a second wife, then he is allowed to do so according to Islam. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“… then marry (other) women of your choice, two or three, or four…” [al-Nisaa’ 4:3]
And this was the practice of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), and of his Companions (may Allaah be pleased with them), but apart from the Prophet, no one is permitted to have more than four wives.
It is well known that women are by nature jealous and reluctant to share their husband with other women. Women are not to be condemned for this jealousy, for it existed in thebest of righteous women, the Sahaabiyyaat, and even in the Mothers of the Believers [the wives of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him)]. But women should not let jealousy make them object to that which Allaah has prescribed, and they should not try to prevent it; a wife should allow her husband to marry another woman for this is a kind of cooperating in righteousness and piety. According to a hadeeth whose authenticity is agreed upon, the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Whoever pays attention to his brother’s needs, Allaah will pay attention to his needs.”
The first wife’s consent is not a prerequisite for a man to take another wife. The Standing Committee for Issuing Fatwas was asked about this and replied as follows:
“It is not obligatory for the husband, if he wants to take a second wife, to have the consent of his first wife, but it is good manners and kindness to deal with her in such a manner that will reduce the hurt which women naturally feel in such situations. This is done by being kind to her and speaking to her in a gentle and pleasant manner, and by spending whatever money may be necessary in order to gain her acceptance of the situation.”
Concerning her request for divorce if her husband wants to marry another wife, this is a mistake. But they should examine the situation, and if she really cannot cope with living with another wife, then she can ask him for khula’ [ a kind of divorce instigated by the wife, whereby she forgoes the mahr]. If she can cope with living with the second wife, but it hurts her to do so, then she should be patient and seek the pleasure of Allaah. Thawbaan (may Allaah be pleased with him) narrated that the Messenger (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said:
“No woman asks her husband for a divorce for no reason, but the fragrance of Paradise is forbidden for her.” (Narrated by Abu Dawood and others, and classed as saheeh by al-Albaani, may Allaah have mercy on him).
If she bears it with patience, then Allaah will make it easier for her and will expand her chest (i.e., grant her peace and calm), and will compensate her with something good. The husband must also help her by treating her kindly, being patient with her for any jealousy etc. on her part, and overlooking her mistakes. And Allaah is the source of help.
##### END QUOTE
Yes, as James Penton said, some people do come from "foreign lands", "another background", or "another religion". But continuing with the polygamous "marriage" is not an option for the male person in the relationship, nor for a second or third "wife" who wishes to become a Christian. When people who were in a polygamous "marriage" become Christians, they become obedient to Jesus.
Referring back now to James Penton's quoted statement, beginning at minutes 9:15 of the video transcript we read, "Also, if you had more than one wife, as many Africans did, and certain people had mistresses in Latin America, If you didn’t give up every woman, if you were married, except the first one to whom you were married, you were automatically driven out of the organization."
I was shocked and dismayed when I first heard James Penton say this. Today, two years later, I am still shocked and dismayed as I read the transcript of that portion of the video. I lived in South America. I preached to women whose husband's had mistresses. The whole idea of helping families to become Christians was for the entire family to be united in pure worship. The idea that the husband would continue having a "mistress" after becoming a Christian is an insult to Jehovah and Jesus. For a Christian married man to continue having sexual relations with a "mistress", a "kept woman", would be hypocrisy in the extreme. Christian men don't do this. And Christian men don't practice polygamy.
The teaching that a married Christian man can continue to have sexual relations with a "mistress" is a false teaching. This teaching is, in the truest sense of the word "apostasy"! Christian men should not have a mistress, ...whether in Latin America or anywhere else,... nor should they practice polygamy. I am appalled that James Penton thinks that it's all right for a polygamous relationship to continue, as long as the polygamous relationship began before those involved became "Christians". My point is that being in a polygamous relationship PREVENTS those involved from BECOMING Christians. 2 Peter 2:18 and 19 says, "18 With lofty but empty words, they appeal to the sensual passions of the flesh and entice those who are just escaping from others who live in error. 19 They promise them freedom, while they themselves are slaves to depravity. For a man is a slave to whatever has mastered him."
The teaching that polygamous relationships can be continued by men who claim to have become true Christians is a false teaching. It is an apostasy from Jesus' teaching on marriage. Men who teach that Christians can practice polygamy are false apostles. 2 Corinthians 11:4 says, "4 For if someone comes and proclaims a Jesus other than the One we proclaimed, or if you receive a different spirit than the One you received, or a different gospel than the one you accepted, you put up with it way too easily." And 2 Corinthians 11: 13 says, "13 For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ." I'll quote here from a portion of what James Penton said in his video. He said, "Some Bible student movements who had broken away from Jehovah’s Witnesses, on the other hand, recognized the situation and said, look, if you can, if you convert to our teachings, you must know that you could never be an elder or a deacon in a congregation." In that decision, those Bible study movements taught correctly. Definitely, no man who practices polygamy should be an elder or a deacon in the congregation. But Jesus provided no arrangement whereby men who followed him and obeyed his teachings could have more than one wife. Men from the Bible study movements, to which James Penton refers, were not wiser than Jesus. They "recognized the situation" that there were men living in polygamy who wanted to be Christians. They then took it upon themselves, without Jesus' authorization, to allow polygamous men to keep their extra wives and be called "Christians". The men of those Bible study movements who did this were "blind guides". Matthew 15:13 and 14 says, "13 But Jesus replied, “Every plant that My heavenly Father has not planted will be pulled up by its roots. 14 Disregard them! They are blind guides. If a blind man leads a blind man, both will fall into a pit." Some men of the Bible study movement invented a new religion to accomodate polygamy. And, they, not Jesus, became the heads of the new religion they had invented. By their false teaching, they did no favor to those polygamy-practicing men and women. They led polygamists away from Christ's teachings.
James 1:27 says, "27 Pure and undefiled religion before our God and Father is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world." Yes, orphans and widows should be cared for. But polygamy is pollution by the world. The defiled religious practice of polygamy should not be accepted by Christians on the pretext that it is a way of caring for those who would otherwise be orphans and widows.
Women who struggle to survive financially, no matter how they came to be in this situation, should be helped by anyone who knows of this need and who is able to help. Especially our Christian sisters deserve our compassion, prayers, and financial help in their hour of need. Those who help "displaced homemakers" find lodging and a job will be rewarded by God for their kindness.
You may recall this statement by James Penton:
"But in foreign lands such as Africa and India, there were many cases where people became converts to Jehovah’s Witnesses and they had been living in polygamous relationships and suddenly they had to give up all of their wives except the first one. Now, in many cases, this was a terrible thing because the women were cast out, the second wives or third wives were cast out with no support at all, and life was terrible for them at that extent."
When a polygamous man becomes a Christian, he must cease having sexual relations with any woman who is not his wife. A woman who has lived in financial dependence on such a man can suddenly find herself in need of lodging and financial help when that polygamous relationship ends. It would be kind for others to help such a woman in need. However, for a previouly second or third "wife" to continue having sexual relations with the formerly non-christian, polygamous man is not a Christian solution to her financial problems. The polygamous relationship was not really a "marriage". It was fornication. Specifically, it was adultery. Polygamy is a sin for Christians.
I'll end my article here, although I realize that much more could be said. It was my purpose to share a glimpse into the unchristian, hurtful, and dark nature of polygamous relationships. Thank you for reading.
- Vivi
By Vivi, April 13, 2022
This article is a rebuttal of minutes 19:15 through minutes 21:55 of a video on the Beroean Pickets channel which features James Penton. Eric Wilson introduces James Penton at the beginning of this video. It is entitled, "James Penton Discusses the Presidencies of Nathan Knorr and Fred Franz", by James Penton. The video was originally uploaded to the internet on March 13, 2020.The complete transcript of the video is on the beroeans .net website. In the following article, I'll be refuting only a 2 minute and 40 second portion of the video
I appreciate James Penton's vast knowledge of the history of the Watchtower Society. He is a professor of history, a book author, and a man who bravely left Watchtower long ago. Nevertheless, I strongly disagree with what he says regarding polygamy in the specified segment of his above-mentioned video.
Let's get right to it. Here is the transcript of those 2 minutes and 40 seconds of the James Penton video, as found on the Beroean Pickets website.
James Penton says:
##### QUOTE
"Also, if you had more than one wife, as many Africans did, and certain people had mistresses in Latin America, If you didn’t give up every woman, if you were married, except the first one to whom you were married, you were automatically driven out of the organization.
"Now, curiously, many people may not realize this, but there is no statement in the New Testament which says that polygamy in itself is wrong. Now, monogamy certainly was the ideal and Jesus stressed this, but not with any sense of legalism. What is clear in the New Testament is that no one could be an elder or a deacon, that is a ministerial servant, with more than one wife.
"That’s clear. But in foreign lands such as Africa and India, there were many cases where people became converts to Jehovah’s Witnesses and they had been living in polygamous relationships and suddenly they had to give up all of their wives except the first one. Now, in many cases, this was a terrible thing because the women were cast out, the second wives or third wives were cast out with no support at all, and life was terrible for them at that extent. Some Bible student movements who had broken away from Jehovah’s Witnesses, on the other hand, recognized the situation and said, look, if you can, if you convert to our teachings, you must know that you could never be an elder or a deacon in a congregation.
"But we’re not going to force you to give up your second wives because there is no specific statement in the New Testament which denies the possibility of having a second wife. If, that is, you come in from another background, another religion such as African religions or Hinduism or whatever it may be, and Knorr, of course, had no tolerance for this."
##### END QUOTE
A few days ago, I decided to write an article directly addressing the twisted reasoning by James Penton in the above quotation. It was then that I found a comment posted beneath the video in question on the Beroean Pickets website. The comment is by "mattlunsford". His comment gave me comfort and relief, because I saw that I was not alone in disagreeing with the above statements by James Penton. Here is that comment by "mattlunsford".
##### QUOTE
"mattlunsford
1 year ago
I mean no disrespect by bringing this thought to your attention but Jesus said at Luke 16:18 “Anyone who divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery, and the man who marries a divorced woman commits adultery.“
Polygamy is the marriage of more than one person. Therefore, Jesus said that polygamy is a serious sin against God equal to adultery. Jesus is not saying that it is merely the ideal or recommended but much more seriously, a commandment from Jehovah God.
Jim Penton said
“Now, curiously, many people may not realize this, but there is no statement in the New Testament which says that polygamy in itself is wrong. Now, monogamy certainly was the ideal and Jesus stressed this, but not with any sense of legalism.“
##### END QUOTE
Mattlunsford quoted Luke 16:18 in his comment. But let's read Jesus' words from Matthew's account, too, in order to give more context to the conclusion that mattlunsford has drawn. Matthew 19:8 and 9 says, "8 Jesus replied, “Moses permitted you to divorce your wives because of your hardness of heart; but it was not this way from the beginning. 9 Now I tell you that whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another woman, commits adultery.” BSB.
Certainly, Jesus did not say or imply that it would be all right for a man to take another wife "in addition" to the wife he already had. According to Jesus, only if a man's wife committed adultery could the man divorce his wife and marry another woman. Taking a wife "in addition" to his first wife, without divorcing that first wife, would still be adultery. Jesus doesn't say that the wife can give her husband "permission" to take an additional wife. Even if a husband were to manage to get his wife's "permission" for him to marry an additional wife, he would still be committing adultery with the additional woman. Our Lord Jesus tells Christians how marriage works. Christians don't tell Jesus how marriage works.
In his video, James Penton makes reference to those who come from "foreign lands", "another background", or "another religion". Here is one example from an Islamic website which shows how a polygamous marriage can sometimes begin. I'm including this example to help Christians who are unfamiliar with the practice of polygamy to see what polygamy does to women. Please read this "Question and Answer" to see how far away polygamy is from our Christian beliefs and practices for married couples. Islamic women are groomed by their religious leaders to accept polygamy.
From an Islamic website:
##### QUOTE
She asked him to divorce her if he takes a second wife
Question
My wife and i have discused me having a second wife and she sayes that if i do then she would devorse me.we did not get married by the kafirs but we do have a islamic contract. and there was no agreement on that contract forbiding me from taking a second wife.so my question is .Is it permisable for her to deny me this?And is'nt she making the hallal harram on me. my wife is a good muslimah (I.S.A.) and she would respect a answer whith proof. jazallahkum ma lakair
Answer
Praise be to Allah.
If a man is able to marry a second wife, physically and financially, and he can treat both wives in a just manner, and he wants to take a second wife, then he is allowed to do so according to Islam. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“… then marry (other) women of your choice, two or three, or four…” [al-Nisaa’ 4:3]
And this was the practice of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), and of his Companions (may Allaah be pleased with them), but apart from the Prophet, no one is permitted to have more than four wives.
It is well known that women are by nature jealous and reluctant to share their husband with other women. Women are not to be condemned for this jealousy, for it existed in thebest of righteous women, the Sahaabiyyaat, and even in the Mothers of the Believers [the wives of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him)]. But women should not let jealousy make them object to that which Allaah has prescribed, and they should not try to prevent it; a wife should allow her husband to marry another woman for this is a kind of cooperating in righteousness and piety. According to a hadeeth whose authenticity is agreed upon, the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Whoever pays attention to his brother’s needs, Allaah will pay attention to his needs.”
The first wife’s consent is not a prerequisite for a man to take another wife. The Standing Committee for Issuing Fatwas was asked about this and replied as follows:
“It is not obligatory for the husband, if he wants to take a second wife, to have the consent of his first wife, but it is good manners and kindness to deal with her in such a manner that will reduce the hurt which women naturally feel in such situations. This is done by being kind to her and speaking to her in a gentle and pleasant manner, and by spending whatever money may be necessary in order to gain her acceptance of the situation.”
Concerning her request for divorce if her husband wants to marry another wife, this is a mistake. But they should examine the situation, and if she really cannot cope with living with another wife, then she can ask him for khula’ [ a kind of divorce instigated by the wife, whereby she forgoes the mahr]. If she can cope with living with the second wife, but it hurts her to do so, then she should be patient and seek the pleasure of Allaah. Thawbaan (may Allaah be pleased with him) narrated that the Messenger (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said:
“No woman asks her husband for a divorce for no reason, but the fragrance of Paradise is forbidden for her.” (Narrated by Abu Dawood and others, and classed as saheeh by al-Albaani, may Allaah have mercy on him).
If she bears it with patience, then Allaah will make it easier for her and will expand her chest (i.e., grant her peace and calm), and will compensate her with something good. The husband must also help her by treating her kindly, being patient with her for any jealousy etc. on her part, and overlooking her mistakes. And Allaah is the source of help.
##### END QUOTE
Yes, as James Penton said, some people do come from "foreign lands", "another background", or "another religion". But continuing with the polygamous "marriage" is not an option for the male person in the relationship, nor for a second or third "wife" who wishes to become a Christian. When people who were in a polygamous "marriage" become Christians, they become obedient to Jesus.
Referring back now to James Penton's quoted statement, beginning at minutes 9:15 of the video transcript we read, "Also, if you had more than one wife, as many Africans did, and certain people had mistresses in Latin America, If you didn’t give up every woman, if you were married, except the first one to whom you were married, you were automatically driven out of the organization."
I was shocked and dismayed when I first heard James Penton say this. Today, two years later, I am still shocked and dismayed as I read the transcript of that portion of the video. I lived in South America. I preached to women whose husband's had mistresses. The whole idea of helping families to become Christians was for the entire family to be united in pure worship. The idea that the husband would continue having a "mistress" after becoming a Christian is an insult to Jehovah and Jesus. For a Christian married man to continue having sexual relations with a "mistress", a "kept woman", would be hypocrisy in the extreme. Christian men don't do this. And Christian men don't practice polygamy.
The teaching that a married Christian man can continue to have sexual relations with a "mistress" is a false teaching. This teaching is, in the truest sense of the word "apostasy"! Christian men should not have a mistress, ...whether in Latin America or anywhere else,... nor should they practice polygamy. I am appalled that James Penton thinks that it's all right for a polygamous relationship to continue, as long as the polygamous relationship began before those involved became "Christians". My point is that being in a polygamous relationship PREVENTS those involved from BECOMING Christians. 2 Peter 2:18 and 19 says, "18 With lofty but empty words, they appeal to the sensual passions of the flesh and entice those who are just escaping from others who live in error. 19 They promise them freedom, while they themselves are slaves to depravity. For a man is a slave to whatever has mastered him."
The teaching that polygamous relationships can be continued by men who claim to have become true Christians is a false teaching. It is an apostasy from Jesus' teaching on marriage. Men who teach that Christians can practice polygamy are false apostles. 2 Corinthians 11:4 says, "4 For if someone comes and proclaims a Jesus other than the One we proclaimed, or if you receive a different spirit than the One you received, or a different gospel than the one you accepted, you put up with it way too easily." And 2 Corinthians 11: 13 says, "13 For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ." I'll quote here from a portion of what James Penton said in his video. He said, "Some Bible student movements who had broken away from Jehovah’s Witnesses, on the other hand, recognized the situation and said, look, if you can, if you convert to our teachings, you must know that you could never be an elder or a deacon in a congregation." In that decision, those Bible study movements taught correctly. Definitely, no man who practices polygamy should be an elder or a deacon in the congregation. But Jesus provided no arrangement whereby men who followed him and obeyed his teachings could have more than one wife. Men from the Bible study movements, to which James Penton refers, were not wiser than Jesus. They "recognized the situation" that there were men living in polygamy who wanted to be Christians. They then took it upon themselves, without Jesus' authorization, to allow polygamous men to keep their extra wives and be called "Christians". The men of those Bible study movements who did this were "blind guides". Matthew 15:13 and 14 says, "13 But Jesus replied, “Every plant that My heavenly Father has not planted will be pulled up by its roots. 14 Disregard them! They are blind guides. If a blind man leads a blind man, both will fall into a pit." Some men of the Bible study movement invented a new religion to accomodate polygamy. And, they, not Jesus, became the heads of the new religion they had invented. By their false teaching, they did no favor to those polygamy-practicing men and women. They led polygamists away from Christ's teachings.
James 1:27 says, "27 Pure and undefiled religion before our God and Father is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world." Yes, orphans and widows should be cared for. But polygamy is pollution by the world. The defiled religious practice of polygamy should not be accepted by Christians on the pretext that it is a way of caring for those who would otherwise be orphans and widows.
Women who struggle to survive financially, no matter how they came to be in this situation, should be helped by anyone who knows of this need and who is able to help. Especially our Christian sisters deserve our compassion, prayers, and financial help in their hour of need. Those who help "displaced homemakers" find lodging and a job will be rewarded by God for their kindness.
You may recall this statement by James Penton:
"But in foreign lands such as Africa and India, there were many cases where people became converts to Jehovah’s Witnesses and they had been living in polygamous relationships and suddenly they had to give up all of their wives except the first one. Now, in many cases, this was a terrible thing because the women were cast out, the second wives or third wives were cast out with no support at all, and life was terrible for them at that extent."
When a polygamous man becomes a Christian, he must cease having sexual relations with any woman who is not his wife. A woman who has lived in financial dependence on such a man can suddenly find herself in need of lodging and financial help when that polygamous relationship ends. It would be kind for others to help such a woman in need. However, for a previouly second or third "wife" to continue having sexual relations with the formerly non-christian, polygamous man is not a Christian solution to her financial problems. The polygamous relationship was not really a "marriage". It was fornication. Specifically, it was adultery. Polygamy is a sin for Christians.
I'll end my article here, although I realize that much more could be said. It was my purpose to share a glimpse into the unchristian, hurtful, and dark nature of polygamous relationships. Thank you for reading.
- Vivi
