Comments on: Islam and Polygamy http://www.billmuehlenberg.com/2009/10/05/islam-and-polygamy/ Bill Muehlenberg's commentary on issues of the day... Fri, 10 Feb 2012 03:50:32 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Barry Koh http://www.billmuehlenberg.com/2009/10/05/islam-and-polygamy/comment-page-1/#comment-156731 Barry Koh Thu, 08 Oct 2009 04:35:35 +0000 http://www.billmuehlenberg.com/?p=1963#comment-156731 Bill, While Islam allows a man to have 4 wives, there many sensible muslims that prefer to remain faithful to their one and only wife. I know many of them and respect them for that. People from other cultures who desire to emigrate from their country to western societies should seriously evaluate the extent of cultural conflicts and inconveniences they would encounter before making the big move. If after migrating to the new country, they are unhappy and find difficulty in adjusting to the new environment and culture, they should consider returning to the familiarity of their country of origin. It's a better arrangement for everyone. My advice is don't burn your bridges until you are sure that your new adopted country is where you want to live in and raise your family. Otherwise, unhappy people stuck in a new and different cultural environment will not benefit anybody. Barry Koh Bill,
While Islam allows a man to have 4 wives, there many sensible muslims that prefer to remain faithful to their one and only wife. I know many of them and respect them for that.
People from other cultures who desire to emigrate from their country to western societies should seriously evaluate the extent of cultural conflicts and inconveniences they would encounter before making the big move. If after migrating to the new country, they are unhappy and find difficulty in adjusting to the new environment and culture, they should consider returning to the familiarity of their country of origin. It’s a better arrangement for everyone. My advice is don’t burn your bridges until you are sure that your new adopted country is where you want to live in and raise your family. Otherwise, unhappy people stuck in a new and different cultural environment will not benefit anybody.
Barry Koh

]]> By: Jane Petridge http://www.billmuehlenberg.com/2009/10/05/islam-and-polygamy/comment-page-1/#comment-156661 Jane Petridge Wed, 07 Oct 2009 09:36:19 +0000 http://www.billmuehlenberg.com/?p=1963#comment-156661 Thanks Bill While reading up on this issue, including the article from the Age all these words seem to blend into one (they are all very similar) however there is certainly distinction between them. As for me, one husband (or wife) is the ideal. I get sick of hearing the rant and rave about people being unfaithful in monogomous relationships. I know plenty of solid, strong and happy and fruitful marriage -most if not all Christian. Says something for having God at the centre of your marriage. It is beautiful, peaceful and lifegiving. It is the truth of human love. So many people are searching, and their eyes are blinded. Jesus said something about eyes being blinded to the truth (Can't remember the Bible reference). But how true He is!! Jane Petridge Thanks Bill

While reading up on this issue, including the article from the Age all these words seem to blend into one (they are all very similar) however there is certainly distinction between them.

As for me, one husband (or wife) is the ideal. I get sick of hearing the rant and rave about people being unfaithful in monogomous relationships. I know plenty of solid, strong and happy and fruitful marriage -most if not all Christian. Says something for having God at the centre of your marriage. It is beautiful, peaceful and lifegiving. It is the truth of human love. So many people are searching, and their eyes are blinded. Jesus said something about eyes being blinded to the truth (Can’t remember the Bible reference). But how true He is!!

Jane Petridge

]]> By: Bill Muehlenberg http://www.billmuehlenberg.com/2009/10/05/islam-and-polygamy/comment-page-1/#comment-156656 Bill Muehlenberg Wed, 07 Oct 2009 08:06:36 +0000 http://www.billmuehlenberg.com/?p=1963#comment-156656 Thanks Jane Sure, they are: Polygamy = having more than one spouse (at the same time) Polyandry = having more than one husband (at the same time) Polygyny = having more than one wife (at the same time) Bigamy = having two spouses (at the same time) Polyamory = having sexual relations with more than one person (at the same time) - group love, group sex, group marriage Bill Muehlenberg, CultureWatch Thanks Jane

Sure, they are:

Polygamy = having more than one spouse (at the same time)
Polyandry = having more than one husband (at the same time)
Polygyny = having more than one wife (at the same time)
Bigamy = having two spouses (at the same time)
Polyamory = having sexual relations with more than one person (at the same time) – group love, group sex, group marriage

Bill Muehlenberg, CultureWatch

]]> By: Jane Petridge http://www.billmuehlenberg.com/2009/10/05/islam-and-polygamy/comment-page-1/#comment-156654 Jane Petridge Wed, 07 Oct 2009 07:40:10 +0000 http://www.billmuehlenberg.com/?p=1963#comment-156654 Bill, Could you simply define all the terms in this issue eg polygamy, bigamy, polyandry etc. I am not quite up with this terminology. Jane Petridge Bill,

Could you simply define all the terms in this issue eg polygamy, bigamy, polyandry etc. I am not quite up with this terminology.

Jane Petridge

]]> By: Jenny http://www.billmuehlenberg.com/2009/10/05/islam-and-polygamy/comment-page-1/#comment-156620 Jenny Tue, 06 Oct 2009 22:49:32 +0000 http://www.billmuehlenberg.com/?p=1963#comment-156620 Keysar Trad had another platform for his ideas on 'polygamy' and Islam last weekend - he was one of the speakers at the <a href="http://www.sydneyoperahouse.com/about/program_priority/festival_of_dangerous_ideas.aspx" rel="nofollow">Sydney Festival of Dangerous Ideas</a> - with other speakers including Christopher Hitchens and Germaine Greer! Trad's topic was 'Polygamy and Other Islamic Values Are Good For Australia'.... He has more than just polygamy in mind for Australia - more shari'a law! I'm not sure why Keysar Trad is still being given media space - a judge in NSW recently found that Keysar Trad was "racist". Trad sued a radio station for 'defamation' but the judge said that Trad's remarks were "offensive to Jewish persons and homosexuals" and that "many of his remarks are distasteful and appear to condone violence". See <a href="http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/keysar-trad-really-is-racist-judge/story-e6freuy9-1225756727734" rel="nofollow">report</a> at the Daily Telegraph. Jenny Stokes Keysar Trad had another platform for his ideas on ‘polygamy’ and Islam last weekend – he was one of the speakers at the
Sydney Festival of Dangerous Ideas
– with other speakers including Christopher Hitchens and Germaine Greer!
Trad’s topic was ‘Polygamy and Other Islamic Values Are Good For Australia’….
He has more than just polygamy in mind for Australia – more shari’a law!

I’m not sure why Keysar Trad is still being given media space – a judge in NSW recently found that Keysar Trad was “racist”.
Trad sued a radio station for ‘defamation’ but the judge said that Trad’s remarks were “offensive to Jewish persons and homosexuals” and that “many of his remarks are distasteful and appear to condone violence”.
See report at the Daily Telegraph.

Jenny Stokes

]]> By: Pascal http://www.billmuehlenberg.com/2009/10/05/islam-and-polygamy/comment-page-1/#comment-156604 Pascal Tue, 06 Oct 2009 18:36:21 +0000 http://www.billmuehlenberg.com/?p=1963#comment-156604 In Canada the liberal government adopted legislation for same-sex-marriage a few years ago. During the debate I heard a good argument against such redefining of the marriage institution: If we define marriage on the basis of the sexual preference, we open the door to all sexual preferences and won't have any reason to reject any without falling on the arbitrary. Just lately, the lobby for same-sex-marriage had to explain why we should refuse polygamy... Needless to say that there answer was very inconsistent and necessarily arbitrary. But it’s just a matter of time before we will be forced to recognise any sexual preference as a valid basis for a marriage (as long as it is voluntary)… Pascal Denault, Montreal In Canada the liberal government adopted legislation for same-sex-marriage a few years ago. During the debate I heard a good argument against such redefining of the marriage institution: If we define marriage on the basis of the sexual preference, we open the door to all sexual preferences and won’t have any reason to reject any without falling on the arbitrary.

Just lately, the lobby for same-sex-marriage had to explain why we should refuse polygamy… Needless to say that there answer was very inconsistent and necessarily arbitrary. But it’s just a matter of time before we will be forced to recognise any sexual preference as a valid basis for a marriage (as long as it is voluntary)…

Pascal Denault, Montreal

]]> By: Paul http://www.billmuehlenberg.com/2009/10/05/islam-and-polygamy/comment-page-1/#comment-156552 Paul Tue, 06 Oct 2009 07:34:07 +0000 http://www.billmuehlenberg.com/?p=1963#comment-156552 I don't think Polygamy is really part of the Australian culture in fact I suspect that the real reason why the radical Islamists are violent is that they are venting their frustration from the effects of their polygamy environment. As for me one is enough! Paul Hotchkin I don’t think Polygamy is really part of the Australian culture in fact I suspect that the real reason why the radical Islamists are violent is that they are venting their frustration from the effects of their polygamy environment. As for me one is enough!
Paul Hotchkin

]]> By: Richard Chieng http://www.billmuehlenberg.com/2009/10/05/islam-and-polygamy/comment-page-1/#comment-156549 Richard Chieng Tue, 06 Oct 2009 06:58:08 +0000 http://www.billmuehlenberg.com/?p=1963#comment-156549 Just a quick comment that support what you have written. Some years ago, I visited a Muslim family who stayed in a wealthy neighbourhood in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. A couple of streets in that suburb is occupied by predominantly wealthy Muslims in bungalows. I remember a comment that the wife of this close Muslim friend of mine made at that time. She remarked that there are many frustrated wives in this neighbourhood refering to their wealthy Muslim husbands having other wives and girlfriends. The Islamic teachings can be very deceptive and they must continually be exposed. You have done well, Bill. Richard Chieng Just a quick comment that support what you have written. Some years ago, I visited a Muslim family who stayed in a wealthy neighbourhood in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. A couple of streets in that suburb is occupied by predominantly wealthy Muslims in bungalows. I remember a comment that the wife of this close Muslim friend of mine made at that time. She remarked that there are many frustrated wives in this neighbourhood refering to their wealthy Muslim husbands having other wives and girlfriends. The Islamic teachings can be very deceptive and they must continually be exposed. You have done well, Bill.
Richard Chieng

]]> By: siti khatijah http://www.billmuehlenberg.com/2009/10/05/islam-and-polygamy/comment-page-1/#comment-156544 siti khatijah Tue, 06 Oct 2009 05:59:02 +0000 http://www.billmuehlenberg.com/?p=1963#comment-156544 I come from a country where this is rpacticed "accorrding to the Qur'an". They cheat on their wives, they go to thailand to be married secretly, so if there is deception in marriage what is left? - nothing. so they may as well just sleep around because they show no respect for women, only lust in their minds and no conduct of wanting to care for their wife/children. these egoistic moslem men have no idea what it is to be a decent human person. whatever hurt & pain has to be borne solely by the mother and all the broken pieces are picked up by her. if there is ever a revolt in the Islamic world it will be by the women. not to mention they care nothing for the families after their deed and many wives live in an outward numbness of pain. I have seen it. This man who wrote in the Age is typical of a moslem man who speaks without ever putting himself in another shoe they have no empathy and will only do what they want to regardless of whom they hurt and the consequences on their children. tasman walker is spot on, back home the minute they are rich this is what they do. they have no idea about humanity and respect and love. they should and must learn from the Christians who are in the majority full of responsibility in life and that is why the West is successful in the management of countries. Siti Khatijah I come from a country where this is rpacticed “accorrding to the Qur’an”. They cheat on their wives, they go to thailand to be married secretly, so if there is deception in marriage what is left? – nothing. so they may as well just sleep around because they show no respect for women, only lust in their minds and no conduct of wanting to care for their wife/children. these egoistic moslem men have no idea what it is to be a decent human person. whatever hurt & pain has to be borne solely by the mother and all the broken pieces are picked up by her. if there is ever a revolt in the Islamic world it will be by the women. not to mention they care nothing for the families after their deed and many wives live in an outward numbness of pain. I have seen it. This man who wrote in the Age is typical of a moslem man who speaks without ever putting himself in another shoe they have no empathy and will only do what they want to regardless of whom they hurt and the consequences on their children. tasman walker is spot on, back home the minute they are rich this is what they do. they have no idea about humanity and respect and love. they should and must learn from the Christians who are in the majority full of responsibility in life and that is why the West is successful in the management of countries.
Siti Khatijah

]]> By: John Snowden http://www.billmuehlenberg.com/2009/10/05/islam-and-polygamy/comment-page-1/#comment-156522 John Snowden Tue, 06 Oct 2009 01:45:17 +0000 http://www.billmuehlenberg.com/?p=1963#comment-156522 Tasman Walker has a good point worth adding to. In India and China there is a trend to abort female babies. If the trend continues long enough then these societies will end up with a surplus of males. How would such societies cope with a situation where men are entitled to have several wives? Never underestimate the power of envy in human affairs. The men most likely to support many wives would be the rich ones. That would be a very visible fact likely to aggravate class differences. I will also mention the view of a sociologist (Goldberg, I think) that in societies where men are in a majority the status of women tends to lower. Don't know why, but if that is true then it would aggravate the status that comes from using them as chattels in polygamy. John Snowden Tasman Walker has a good point worth adding to. In India and China there is a trend to abort female babies. If the trend continues long enough then these societies will end up with a surplus of males. How would such societies cope with a situation where men are entitled to have several wives? Never underestimate the power of envy in human affairs. The men most likely to support many wives would be the rich ones. That would be a very visible fact likely to aggravate class differences.

I will also mention the view of a sociologist (Goldberg, I think) that in societies where men are in a majority the status of women tends to lower. Don’t know why, but if that is true then it would aggravate the status that comes from using them as chattels in polygamy.

John Snowden

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