Polygamy Analysis

Speaking of religious environments, there is also the environments in which the religion of polygamy is practiced, creating ethical dilemmas and questions as to whether religious freedoms are being infringed upon. Polygamy, part of the Mormon religion customs has a history that dates back to when the state of Utah requested to become part of the United States (Van Camp, 2014). Part of the customs of the Mormon religion was that the males had an obligation to engage in polygamy, yet before Utah would be granted its request to become a member of the United States, Utah would have to abandon this custom (Van Camp, 2014). One of the reasons for this was that prior to Utah becoming a state, bigamy had been outlawed by President Lincoln, based on the premise that although there was a freedom of religion, it did not apply to bigamy as it was viewed as appalling and offensive, especially to females and kids (Van Camp, 2014). The state of Utah and the Mormon religion withdrew acceptance and its practices of polygamy (Van Camp, 2014).
Although the Mormon religion declared
that the practice of polygamy was part of their right to express freedom of religion under the First Amendment, it is viewed that this is not a sufficient enough defense for the practice of polygamy. Study.com defines polygamy as, “Polygamy is defined as a mating system in which an individual has more than one mate simultaneously that can either be male or female.” (Study.com, 2017, para. 2). This means that an individual can be married to multiple individuals at the same time, and free create a family with each. If one recalls, the freedom of religion essentially provides individuals the right to choose their own religion without being influenced otherwise.
If one thinks about the harm principle from Mills, this means that the behavior of an individual should not extend damage to others (Van Camp, 2014). It is viewed that regardless of what religion is practiced or the beliefs within that religion, if damage is inflected physically or mentally to others it is not justifiable to defend. In the case of polygamy, children are born into this life style and upbringing being taught that it is morally correct to live by these standards; they do not know anything else and are not given any other choice. It is also of the opinion, that females are under the impression when marrying, that one is getting married to the male counterpart that they love, only to later find that multiple wives are introduced. It is believed that harm to both children and females occur in polygamy and therefore, should not have the right to practice this belief
There are many boundaries or lines that have the great possibility of leading to questions of what is right or wrong, and then the domino effect of if something is agreed or disagreed the potential it has to open or close another door. For instance, a court finds that the government should not infringe upon the privacy of individuals, should a homosexual relationship be entered into by two of age individuals (Van Camp, 2014). By this judgment, some suggest that it might lead to the additional problems and inquires that surround polygamy. It is of the opinion that this practice is far different than two consenting adults placing themselves in an environment and/or relationship that both are aware of and agree to. In many instances, a homosexual relationship is not forced by another individual or religion and either individual can leave the relationship at any time.
In polygamy the women are treated poorly and the children do not choose this, they do not have the ability to agree to this lifestyle. It is safe to assume that it can be debatable that the women in this environment have the ability to make their mind up on their own and leave at any time. However, please consider the following statement by Charity Christenson who interviewed ten women who escaped the abuse, “These women grew up in isolated communities, dressed like pioneers and brainwashed to marry much older men who had many other wives. They were reared to be baby factories and virtual slaves in a culture of fear, oppression, and poverty that we usually associate with the likes of the Taliban.” (Christenson, 2014, para. 1). It is also the responsibility of the parents to protect the children not encourage harm. The religion of polygamy allows and encourages female children with an average age of fifteen to marry a man much older and begin having a family (family.jrank.org, 2017). It is of personal opinion, that this is not protecting the children, but forcing the religious beliefs upon children who are not of age to make their own decisions. Honestly, children are having children.
There are two additional points of consideration that pertain to polygamy.
One, is that if the shoe was on the other foot and it was men being forced into a situation in which women had multiple husbands it would not be viewed any differently and should not be defended under freedom of religion and privacy. Regardless, of who is doing the damage man or woman, there is still damage being done to another. Another point of consideration, is that of an individual who arrives in the United States from a country that freely permits polygamy and whether or not those individuals should be an exception (Van Camp, 2014). No, those individuals should not be an exception and permitted to practice polygamy freely. It is of the opinion, that individuals who wish to come to the United States they should do so with respect to this countries laws and exhibit the same moral conduct that is expected of the American
citizens.