Should Polygamists be allowed to marry

Since it appears that our society is going to allow gays to legally marry shouldn't the same right be afforded to polygamists?

I would think so. Doesn't hurt anything as far as I know.

It would be polyamoury more than polygamy, but sure, why not?

Originally posted by Archaeopteryx
Since it appears that our society is going to allow gays to legally marry shouldn't the same right be afforded to polygamists?

Only gay polyamorous types, imo.

I, like dadudemon, find the separation of the term marriage and the contracts & benefits that currently go with it, would be a good thing to have. In our current system though, yes, I do think people should be allowed to be in greater than binary configurations.

Polygamists - specifically Mormons/Mennonites don't need a marriage certificate [according to themselves].
As long as they complete the marriage qualifications that are set out in their religion, they're good. They don't need to be recognized as legal in the government's eyes.

It's illegal, but it's not unlawful. No government has the lawful right to stop you from being with whom you want to be with, whether that be 1 person or several, as long as everybody is consenting and old enough you're not breaking any laws, only the rules of your country.

Originally posted by samhain
the rules of your country.

that is the definition of a law...

I think you mean to say they aren't doing anything wrong...

Originally posted by samhain
you're not breaking any laws, only the rules of your country.

What? Forbidding polyamory isn't a social convention, there are laws against it.

Interestingly, I think this latest rules could be interpreted as requiring the government to recognize a polyamorous relationship if it were by approved by state law. This ruling is broader than just gay marriage.

Originally posted by Oliver North
that is the definition of a law...

Law only pertains to harm or loss caused by another, anything else is an act of parliament, and can only be given the force of law when consented to by the governed. Legal and lawful are 2 different things, you have to give your consent for the police/courts, etc to enforce statutes upon you.

Originally posted by siriuswriter
Polygamists - specifically Mormons/Mennonites don't need a marriage certificate [according to themselves].
As long as they complete the marriage qualifications that are set out in their religion, they're good. They don't need to be recognized as legal in the government's eyes.

This is exactly how I feel it should be for everyone. It's not just Mormons/Mennonites, many muslim cultures practice polygamy as well.

Originally posted by samhain
Law only pertains to harm or loss caused by another

That's adorable.

Of course. As I've stated, more or less, for years: "Who cares what consenting adults do with each other."

The keyword is "consent".

And what Bardock42 said because it makes sense.

Originally posted by siriuswriter
Polygamists - specifically Mormons/Mennonites don't need a marriage certificate [according to themselves].
As long as they complete the marriage qualifications that are set out in their religion, they're good. They don't need to be recognized as legal in the government's eyes.

Mormons don't practice polygamy.

Yes (with the addendum that others have pointed out--that it be polyamory, not just polygamy).

No moral dilemma here.

Originally posted by samhain
Law only pertains to harm or loss caused by another, anything else is an act of parliament, and can only be given the force of law when consented to by the governed. Legal and lawful are 2 different things, you have to give your consent for the police/courts, etc to enforce statutes upon you.

what legal system is this?

Originally posted by Oliver North
what legal system is this?

I believe it is a "natural law" argument.

Ah the old 'free man of the land' nonsense. So far as I know not one of them has ever had an argument stand up in court.

Originally posted by Oliver North
what legal system is this?

All of them.

Originally posted by dadudemon

Mormons don't practice polygamy.

The mainstream Mormon church officially condemns it. They gave it up in the 19th century to become a state (politics influencing religion). However there are many sects who claim to follow the original teachings of Joseph Smith who still practice polygamy.

Originally posted by Archaeopteryx
However there are many sects who claim to follow the original teachings of Joseph Smith who still practice polygamy.

Emphasis mine. "Many" implies there are a lot. There aren't. There are just a handful of breakaways and they are not "Mormons" nor do they call themselves, such. They specifically give themselves alternative names as to not be confused for the main "sect". RLDS, for example (they no longer do polygamy, either, as I understand them).