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Post by livinganewlife on Jun 28, 2007 11:12:15 GMT -5
Greetings everyone,
What's on my mind is Polygamy! I know we have discussed this topic before however, I would like to revise this topic due to a new television series on HBO.....
I was at home with the flu a couple of weeks ago and decided to check out HBO on Demand, well i happened across the show Big Love... This show is so captivating and so realistic until I am now a fan of the show...
I have seen every episode off the 1st season and in the process of watching the second season.
The show is based on the life of a polygamy family living undercover in the modern world.
The husband is a successful business man (he owns a chain of hardware stores) who lives in Utah with three wives. The husband and his three wives are deeply connected spiritually and have a great relationship with all their children.
The family is also connected to this prophet who oversee this huge compound where everyone practice plural marriages.
But the kicker is these families pray so much on this show and they actually live a life of holiness with the exception of these plural marriages...
The believe in Jesus, Baptism, Holy Ghost, sanctification, Chasity, purity, prayer, prophecy and everything we believe in except for these plural marriages.
What is your take on Christians and plural marriages?
Trust me I am not that into HBO but I am seriously intrigued with this show!
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Post by Rachel2 on Jun 28, 2007 15:40:11 GMT -5
Greetings everyone, What's on my mind is Polygamy! I know we have discussed this topic before however, I would like to revise this topic due to a new television series on HBO..... Oh Lord, here we go again........ Good Luck with this and ADIOS!  |
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Post by livinganewlife on Jun 28, 2007 16:17:43 GMT -5
Greetings everyone, What's on my mind is Polygamy! I know we have discussed this topic before however, I would like to revise this topic due to a new television series on HBO..... Oh Lord, here we go again........ Good Luck with this and ADIOS!
The last time we had a brother on here from another country detailing his lifestyle......
but this time I would like to explore "saints" who practice this lifestyle in the USA.....
and I am doing more research because truly how would one minister to someone who believes as we do but practice polygamy...
This happened in one of the episodes on Big Love....the young daughter was reaching out to a fundamentalist ministry for support and they really didn't know how to minister to this child.
And I also believe that the Big Love show is a prelude of a broader picture of things to come especially defining a marriage / family in the USA...
I believe that once America is over the initial shock of polygamy our next battle as Christians is not only going to be gay marriages but plural marriages also! |
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Post by stillfocused on Jun 29, 2007 13:29:05 GMT -5
To me this scary..and it makes me wonder if in our Western thinking we don't really know what love is ?God told us not to do specific things for a reason..most of what we do is make us feel good..but, what about the damage that is done to the emotions, psyche, and spirit that is often goes unspoken until someone blows up surrounded by these kinds of relationships ?
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Post by livinganewlife on Jun 29, 2007 13:57:18 GMT -5
To me this scary..and it makes me wonder if in our Western thinking we don't really know what love is ?God told us not to do specific things for a reason..most of what we do is make us feel good..but, what about the damage that is done to the emotions, psyche, and spirit that is often goes unspoken until someone blows up surrounded by these kinds of relationships ? The damage inflicted upon people in these situations is a result of Western thinking and society views of these unpopular living arrangements. But it is a reality and should we as Christians turn our head because this is a culture we don't understand. When we get to heaven their maybe some people there who were involved in plural marriages..than what? How do we minister to them while on Earth? Would you turn away a family who seems to be in tact emotionally and financially from your church because of polygamy? |
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Post by nina2 on Jun 29, 2007 16:34:23 GMT -5
I don't believe that anybody should be turn away from the church because of any sin.
It seems to me - just my opinion - that for many issues we, both secular and christianity at large - are at the same time being witnesses and part of that experiment of the frog in water. The temperature of the water is raised so gradually that the frog never realizes what's going on. Consequently, it never even tries to jump out of it and dies in boiling water.....
Do those topics make "good shows"? Apparently, yes. They probably bring great ratings to the networks, lots of money, etc..
How do they register with us though?
The Old Testament never specifically condems polygamy... In Judaism, it was not officially prohibited until a universal ban in the 11th century. But in the Middle East, there are still some polygamist Jews.
Then, there are all the arguments going on about what the New Testament scriptures actually say about marriage and monogamy.
If we still believe that the first marriage was ordained and performed by God himself in the Garden, then we have to go back to "In the beginning". One man, one woman. God could have brought an entire harem to Adam. He did not, he brought him Eve, and only Eve.
When reality goes beyond fiction, we all have a problem, directly or indirectly.
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Post by keita on Jul 2, 2007 13:19:35 GMT -5
When we get to heaven their maybe some people there who were involved in plural marriages... Polygamists being in heaven is almost a sure bet since they would include, but certainly not be limited to: 1. Abraham, who had three wives (Sarah, Hagar, and Keturah) (Gen. 23:19; 25:1; 16:3). 2. Jacob, who had four wives (Leah, Rachel, Bilhah, and Zilpah) (Gen. 29:15-35; 30:4, 9). 3. Moses, who had two wives (Zipporah and the Ethiopian woman) (Ex. 18:2; Num. 12:1). 4. Gideon, who had many wives and 70 sons (Judges 8:30). 5. Samuel’s father, Elkanah, who had two wives (Hannah, Peninnah) (1 Sam. 1:1, 2). 6. David, who had at least eight wives (Michal, Abigail, Ahinoam, Bathsheba, Maacah, Haggith, Abital, and Eglah) plus Saul’s wives (2 Sam. 12:8). 7. Solomon, who had 700 wives and 300 concubines (1 Kings 11:3).......hmmmmmm.... That kind of biblical truth is why, as a believer and follower of Christ, when considering the subject of polygamy, I greatly appreciate the type of perspective and approach this writer offers: There are a number of reasons why Christians would think about polygamy as a subject today:
- In order to think the right things about Bible patriarchs, such as Abraham, Moses, David and Solomon.
Were all these major Bible characters committing sin by having multiple wives, and was God just ignoring it, or have they been unfairly treated by later generations?
- In order to understand the Bible.
If the Bible allows polygamy, what difference does this make to our appreciation of other Bible doctrines, such as divorce?
- In order to help with missions today.
There are many actively polygamous communities who need to hear the gospel. Do we tell them to divorce their wives and to change their customs - or do we simply present the gospel and accept their lifestyle?
- In order to consider why we believe what we believe.
Do we really base our opinions on the Bible, or has the Reformation not entirely finished, leaving us reliant on church tradition?
- In order to have the right attitude to fellow Christians.
There are growing numbers of Christian polygamists - should we accept them or deny them our fellowship?
- In order to understand our freedom.
Do we need special permission from God to be polygamous, or are we confident that if it was wrong, he would have told us?
- In order to consider its effects on society and the church.
If more Christians were polygamous would so many of them divorce, or would so many find non-Christian partners?
[/li][/ul] Now, personally, polygamy is completely out of the question for me.   But, nevertheless, I do think polygamy is another one of those subjects where much of our teaching and doctrine regarding what "God said" and "The bible says" on the matter could definitely bear some examination. Me too, sis. I've been watching "Big Love" since it started. I find it well written and very interesting. |
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Post by auneeqsol on Jul 5, 2007 18:39:59 GMT -5
I'm lookin out the screen door waitin for Krazeeboi to come in....lol I know he should have been here by now.
I saw the title on the digital box, and I wondered what it was about but I started flippin so I just skipped over it, but I will try and check it out later....it sounds interesting
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Post by krazeeboi on Jul 10, 2007 16:19:59 GMT -5
Never fear, Krazeeboi's here! ;D
I kinda lump this subject with slavery, which is not expressly condemned in the Bible, but is somewhat "frowned upon."
Sis. Keita, as far as Abraham goes, I don't think he actually took Hagar as his wife, but I believe the tradition of that day was that a man's maidservant could bear him a child if his legal wife couldn't, but the master and servant weren't considered to be married. Abraham married Keturah after Sarah died.
All in all, I haven't really done much in-depth studying on polygamy. It appears to be more cultural as far as Israel is concerned. It really isn't even an issue in the NT in comparison with the OT.
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Post by Jasmine on Jul 10, 2007 16:34:13 GMT -5
I watched the series, and I just wondered how would any woman agree to such madness. In order for me to share, I would and must be brainwashed, before I'd ever agree to any such thing.
I, however, do understand in pologmy based on culture, but in america I believe women who are in this type of relationship are somewhat brainwashed. It's almost like emotional abuse
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Post by kitty on Jul 25, 2007 17:14:42 GMT -5
Hello,
I was one of the former members of this board that left behind this topic. The orignal topic was discussed openly and honestly with Beulah. Then someone who "claimed" to be African came on the board with the intention of creating stife. Revived the topic with the purpose of taunting those who believe that the New Testament is clear and would not go into Polygamy. Also with the intention to suggest that those of us who would not marry in such a state were indeed "selfish" and confused about the purpose of a husband.
It is the belief of some other members who also left the board that one of the orginal creators of the board created the "false african member" in order to have fighting and drama fot their personal enjoyment...
That is my belief also... being that I was one of the main targets of that person. This was also confirmed by someone that happened to be checking IP addresses.
But with that stated I hope the intention of This topic would be to discuss Big Love...Not what is stated in the bible because in the New Testament it states that in order to "ADVOID SIN" let every man have his own wife... and let every women have HER OWN husband.
I too have watched Big Love... I will even admit to being a fan of the show... It has more drama than a person can shake a stick at. But I would disagree with the idea that the women are getting along harmony, or that they are spiritual...
For starters they don't attend church... The husband who isn't called into ministry seems to be acting as the, " Pastor" to all his wives whom he really doesn't have the time or enegry for... For example...remember in the very first show he was poping several vigra pills!!! Not to mention it was getting to the point were the pills weren't working anymore and his doctor questioned him about going through the bottle so fast.
I think the show is quite entertaining because I think it represents what some of those situations are like. Another example being that the husband clearly favors his first wife. I thought it was sad and hilarious that he and the first wife had to sneak around to get "extra time" with each other because he didn't really want to be with the other wives.
Not to mention the clear madness that goes on in the compound... men with 10 wives iand living in a shack! what a hoot... Plus one of them was poisoning the father!
Good stuff people... I do really recommend checking it out... It's pure comedy.
Kitty
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Post by kitty on Jul 25, 2007 17:27:34 GMT -5
Oh yeah... a sobering fact about the real situations of polygamy in Ultah...
They have thousands of boys and young men that are kicked out of the "real compound" every year. They are called the "Lost Boys". This occurs because God created balance and nature and the male female ratio is truly about 50-50. So in order for old men to have 10 wives, with some of them being as young as 13... they have to get rid of their natural competition. Younger guys that start to reach the age 16-20 who want to start courting girlfriends and getting wives.
Ultimately on the earth the male female ratio is in balance and when it is not there is strife. That is one of the reasons that they predict there will be such a problem in China in the next 10 years were they are creating a ratio of 20 or more male to every one female.
I think the answer to the problem will be that for every nation that have polygamy... look out cuz these asian men will be looking for someone to call their own.
Personally I think this is God personal joke on men that think they deserve more than one wife.... They may get none!
Kitty
Kitty
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Post by kanyon on Jul 25, 2007 23:53:13 GMT -5
Pardon me as I jump in here and say welcome back kitty, we missed you.  |
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Post by Beulah5 on Aug 15, 2007 17:40:46 GMT -5
Hi folks- in addition to the excellent posts and discussion on here i also wanted to point out that a lot of stuff is edited for tv whereas the real reality behind the scenes is something else.
From a missions point of view i have never met someone in the back of all the places that i have been to who after coming to genuine faith in the lord Jesus Christ and being filled with the Holy Spirit who has persisted with this lifestyle (not that i am assuming that to be the case everywhere) be it whether it is the man with the wives or the wives themselves without anyone preaching to them.
Now the practical realities of seeing social culture transformed by the gospel has collapsed in so many places and so the standards in society are no longer based on moral or God's absolute but instead becomes a kaleidoscope of modern thought.
This is a topic which i believe has an absolute answer like all of God's truth however it is through studying the word and examining scripture that we see things in His light.
Let me give an example of this:Different people have different approaches to scripture and the whole issue of marriage: say in america and africa marriage and singleness is a big issue with lots of ministries geared towards encouraging, healing and teaching in that area. In most of europe and asia this is certainly not the case.
And then there are different kinds of women-some women are more romantic and some simply are not. You have some men who believe they are doing the world a favour by marrying a bunch of women-different folks for different folks it would seem. However God is not a confuser and where on things the scripture is silent i believe there is more than enough revelation, instruction and light in the word of God not to mention the intimate relationsip that we have with Him as His espoused to allow we as a church to feel and see what He feels about particular issue.
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Post by Nikkol on Aug 17, 2007 7:16:39 GMT -5
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