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Having only one wife wasn’t a commandment and the biblical patriarchs had multiple wives. This is more about Jesuits and the Catholic church trying to enforce

Having only one wife wasn’t a commandment and the biblical patriarchs had multiple wives. This is more about Jesuits and the Catholic church trying to enforce their own belief systems on someone.

B_Throwaway 7y ago
Even if it were a commandment and the biblical patriarchs hadn't had multiple wives, it would still be the christians trying to enforce their own belief system on someone.
LifeLiverTransp 7y ago
Yes, those societys still having polygamy are doing fine, down at the bottom of the UN-Report barrels.
bobthechef 7y ago
Taught, yes, but imposed? In any case, you're ignoring important facts, many of them addressed in a broad view of the Old Testament and the Gospel of Matthew. First, in Genesis, the ideal, created union is given as monogamous. Second, none of the prophets were polygamous. Third, polygamy is usually spoken of disparagingly and as something having disastrous consequences. Fourth, Mosaic law also permitted divorce, but that was a divine dispensation that Jesus lifted and that one existed in the first place because "your hearts were hard". He goes on to say that "it was not this way from the beginning. I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, unless the marriage is unlawful, and marries another woman commits adultery" (Matt 19:8-9). Thus, polygamy may have been tolerated for similar reasons, that is, as a concession to the times, as it were. Furthermore, Maimonides argues that while the Torah may permit certain behaviors, a synoptic reading would show that it establishes rules that show these behaviors are wrong.
- scarface74 7y ago
  I’m not arguing from a religious standpoint or whether the Bible should decide what other people do. I’m just making factual statements.... The biblical great grandfather of the Jews - Abraham - had multiple wives. As did King David who was put forth as a great, but flawed king.
tomohawk 7y ago
The Bible does record the fact that historical figures had multiple wives, but it also records the fact that this was an endless source of trouble. The law recorded in the Bible prohibits kings from multiple wives, and also records that they put themselves above this law and the problems this caused. It's more that this practice was tolerated than endorsed. It was certainly not lauded. In Proverbs, the assumption is monogamy. By the time you get to New Testament times, elders in the church could only have one wife, and the admonition of Galatians 3:28 (and others) eventually led to the phase out of these practices - not based on law, but based on love for one another and looking out for one another. What the Bible shows is God meeting people where they were at and guiding them to a better way over time. These priests should have paid attention to that.

Having only one wife wasn’t a commandment and the biblical patriarchs had multiple wives. This is more about Jesuits and the Catholic church trying to enforce their own belief systems on someone.

B_Throwaway 7y ago

Even if it were a commandment and the biblical patriarchs hadn't had multiple wives, it would still be the christians trying to enforce their own belief system on someone.

LifeLiverTransp 7y ago

Yes, those societys still having polygamy are doing fine, down at the bottom of the UN-Report barrels.

bobthechef 7y ago

Taught, yes, but imposed? In any case, you're ignoring important facts, many of them addressed in a broad view of the Old Testament and the Gospel of Matthew. First, in Genesis, the ideal, created union is given as monogamous. Second, none of the prophets were polygamous. Third, polygamy is usually spoken of disparagingly and as something having disastrous consequences. Fourth, Mosaic law also permitted divorce, but that was a divine dispensation that Jesus lifted and that one existed in the first place because "your hearts were hard". He goes on to say that "it was not this way from the beginning. I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, unless the marriage is unlawful, and marries another woman commits adultery" (Matt 19:8-9). Thus, polygamy may have been tolerated for similar reasons, that is, as a concession to the times, as it were. Furthermore, Maimonides argues that while the Torah may permit certain behaviors, a synoptic reading would show that it establishes rules that show these behaviors are wrong.

scarface74 7y ago
I’m not arguing from a religious standpoint or whether the Bible should decide what other people do. I’m just making factual statements.... The biblical great grandfather of the Jews - Abraham - had multiple wives. As did King David who was put forth as a great, but flawed king.

tomohawk 7y ago

The Bible does record the fact that historical figures had multiple wives, but it also records the fact that this was an endless source of trouble. The law recorded in the Bible prohibits kings from multiple wives, and also records that they put themselves above this law and the problems this caused. It's more that this practice was tolerated than endorsed. It was certainly not lauded. In Proverbs, the assumption is monogamy. By the time you get to New Testament times, elders in the church could only have one wife, and the admonition of Galatians 3:28 (and others) eventually led to the phase out of these practices - not based on law, but based on love for one another and looking out for one another. What the Bible shows is God meeting people where they were at and guiding them to a better way over time. These priests should have paid attention to that.