Why do many western countries have laws against polygamy??
If its consenting adults, whats the govt’s problem with it?
They are not hurting anybody…then why is it prohibited??
aren’t people supposed to be able to do anything they want if it doesn’t hurt anybody else?? 
Re: Why laws against polygamy??
Oye Nomi .. you said you were leaving GS 
Re: Why laws against polygamy??
Sorry Nomi.. but let me say " Buri aadanten jaate jaate jati hain".
Re: Why laws against polygamy??
I hope you mean the law should allow polygamy for both women and men, right?
Re: Why laws against polygamy??
I hope you mean the law should allow polygamy for both women and men, right?
Not only is that inefficient but men wouldn't want to dedicate resources to raise children that may or may not be theirs.
Re: Why laws against polygamy??
Firstly it’s POLYGYNY that can take place in Islam, not Polygamy (that term can apply to women having more husbands as well 
)
Secondly, the laws are there because a lot of men who practise it abuse the system and yes ppl do get hurt - the wives and the children (more often the first set).. Of course the same can be said of mistresses etc. but the Gov doesn’t exactly encourage that either..
Re: Why laws against polygamy??
I'm not sure about other Western countries, but when it comes to laws and regulations specifically, the US is one of the most conservative nations in the world. There is a statistic, which I cannot recall at the moment, but there is a direct relation between attending religious service weekly and those that cast votes for any public office. Most are Christians or a denomination of Protestants and they are VERY religious. Therefore, their influence on laws is HUGE.
Polygamy goes against Christian law, hence anyone who has tried to make this legal has been unsuccessful because it's against the Church (Since 1890 the church of Jesus Christ Latter Day Saints has abolished this idea). However, with the younger generation, which is not as religious as the previous 3-4 generations of families, laws are moving towards more liberal ideology. The thinking that "if you're not harming anyone, it should be legal," ie. the gays movement. It would have been a complete fail to get enough votes to pass gay marriage as legal 10 years ago, but look at NY today.
But over all there isn't enough of a movement for Polygamy ( A small percent of Muslims, and those that follow the old Mormon tradition practice it) So I don't see it becoming legal anytime soon, at least in the US.
Re: Why laws against polygamy??
Don't Mormons who practise it keep their wives in the same house? Not sure if that's better or worse..
Re: Why laws against polygamy??
Yes For those who are involved in threesome and foursome and orgies why not legalize it.
They present same argument about legalizing the drugs that people use it no matter what , then why not legalize it to take the charm out of it. There is certain charm to doing drugs since they are illegal.
Re: Why laws against polygamy??
People who are into group sex etc. don't tend to have loads of children.. Sounds strange but I suppose they're only responsible for themselves..
Re: Why laws against polygamy??
First, indulging in a threesome/foursome is not as casual thing for most people so it can’t possibly be a good reason to get hitched with someone for life. Even in Islamic polygyny, you can’t have a threesome/foursome
Second, the argument that people use drugs no matter what is totally flawed and is never the reason behind legalizing any drugs- at least in the U.S. that’s how it is. No drug worse than tobacco has ever been legalized (if it has please let me know :D)
Third, why aren’t we taking in account the hurt factor? It’s hurtful to share a partner. People get so worked up over spouses cheating. Clearly it doesn’t set right with people. Why not just ask people? I bet 99% of the U.S. population will vote against it. Why would any party enter a legal contract when they can have all the fun without signing anything?
Re: Why laws against polygamy??
Third, why aren't we taking in account the hurt factor? It's hurtful to share a partner. People get so worked up over spouses cheating. Clearly it doesn't set right with people. Why not just ask people? I bet 99% of the U.S. population will vote against it. Why would any party enter a legal contract when they can have all the fun without signing anything?
It's hurtful because we've been raised to believe that it's wrong. Evolutionary biologists will tell you that humans were polygamous (more specifically polygyny as Deeba said) in the past so maybe our aversion to multiple partners is purely nurture and not nature.
Re: Why laws against polygamy??
^well, that’s why we are intelligent and emotional beings, aren’t we? Besides, evolutionary evidence won’t work since most muslims don’t believe in the theory of evolution. 
So I win!
Re: Why laws against polygamy??
Also, not that many first wives in these sorts of marriages seem to give their consent anyway..
Re: Why laws against polygamy??
It's none of government's business if it is a secular one with separation of church and state. But then what about its' people? I suppose the collective voice of people does and should matter in a democracy.
If its simply about two adults who are consenting. as Nomi ji puts it, then you and I shouldn't even have a problem with legalized first cousin marriages (I see our Islamic brethren nodding heads and smiling) and even brother-sister or let me say uncle-niece since at least some cultures have this concept...(oh the horror, right... and look how suddenly lack of govt. interference becomes inconvenient to our modest sensibilities).
Re: Why laws against polygamy??
i dont think anyone gets arrested for polygamy, it just means you don't get additional govt. benefits because you have extra spouses. for those purposes, you can only register one.
Re: Why laws against polygamy??
Hey…i get bored too…and when i have nothing else to do…i do visit here …like the guy below you said..
Yes..
I am talking about Polygamy genius… so please withhold your english lesson would you??
who is talking about islam?? did you read my post carefully??
and don’t people get hurt in normal marriages?? how can you say that most of the times women and children are being hurt??
also…not encourging and making illegal totally different things…you need to understand that…
ermm…‘hurt’ factor…seriously??? are you proposing a Law against cheating too?? because you said..cheating hurts…and so does polygamy…by that logic…cheating should be made illegal too…
yes…thats what i want to know…separation of church and state…no harm to anybody…then why would it be a problem??? how is it different…then lets say… a gay marriage?? (difference as in being ‘abnormal’)..
and yes..i am talking about consenting adults…and i am not talking in islamic context…the same logic that legalizes gay marriage…should also allow all the sorts of marriages you talk about… brother sister/uncle-niece etc etc…if its consenting adults…why not??
I don’t know man…check this out…
Re: Why laws against polygamy??
the reason is because none of the western country too is entirely/completely a theoretically ideal secular state. No matter what the West says , the church does have a role in shaping of a few laws.
Re: Why laws against polygamy??
yes...thats what i want to know......separation of church and state.......no harm to anybody.......then why would it be a problem????? how is it different......then lets say... a gay marriage?? (difference as in being 'abnormal')..
and yes..i am talking about consenting adults......and i am not talking in islamic context.........the same logic that legalizes gay marriage.......should also allow all the sorts of marriages you talk about...... brother sister/uncle-niece etc etc.......if its consenting adults......why not??
I guess people could start claiming benefits, pensions and a lot more marriage allowances even if they are not living together. With the messed up family life of the goras in general allowing polygamy would just lead to a huge financial burden and jam packed family courts. :p
Re: Why laws against polygamy??
Unlike Pakistan, americans can claim certain benefits on marital status. Queer has already answered the question why it can’t be allowed. :chai: