Exame_What_One_Religion_Teaches_About_Polygamy

‘Examine what one religion teaches about Polygamy and Adultery’ (30 Marks) Christianity stresses the importance of marriage, before the 17th century marriage was seen as something very different. The purpose of marriage was for procreation of children, a remedy against sin and avoidance of fornication. “The gift of marriage brings husband and wife together in the delight and tenderness of sexual union and joyful commitment...” Adultery, also called philandery or infidelity, is a form of extramarital sex. It originally referred more specifically to sex between a woman who was married and a person other than her spouse. Adultery applies to both the male and the female, but only situations where the woman is married. (Lev. 20:10). Adultery is considered by many Christians to be immoral and a sin. Sexual intercourse outside a loving relationship can cause emotional pain and cause the breakup of families. One person might be left emotionally damaged for future relationships being left with feelings of mistrust, guilt, regret or hurt. It also has an effect on the children as they don’t have a stable family life and this can have an effect on their mental health. One of the vows that a person makes in the wedding ceremony is to be faithful to one another and by committing adultery; one or both of the partners are breaking their vow. Extramarital sex that wilfully and maliciously interferes with marriage relations; "adultery is often cited as grounds for divorce". Christianity doesn’t approve of divorce and it should be avoided when there is a possibility that the marriage can be fixed. If adultery leads to divorce which isn’t an approved action then it is best that adultery be avoided. Divorce is seen to be an undesirable act especially by the Catholic Church which doesn’t allow the wedding ceremony of two partners of which one may be divorced to take place in the Church. The Old Testament prohibits adultery in the seventh of the Ten Commandments “Thou shall not commit adultery” (Exodus 20:14). In the Bible it states; “The man who commits adultery with another man’s wife, he who commits adultery with his neighbour’s wife, the adulterer and the adulteress, shall surely be put to death” (Leviticus 20:10). “If a man is found lying with woman married to a husband, then both of them shall die, both the man that lay with a woman, and the woman, so you shall put away the evil person from Israel” (Deuteronomy 22:22). Jesus taught that indulgence in adulterous thoughts could be just as harmful to the soul as actual adultery, and it is clear that both carry the same weight of guilt. “But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart” (Matthew 5:28) and he also says: “But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for marital unfaithfulness, causes her to become an adulteress, and anyone who marries the divorced woman commits adultery” (Matthew 5:32). Some churches have interpreted adultery to include all sexual relationships outside of marriage, regardless of the marital status of the participants. Therefore, adultery is considered to be a very grave and sinful act, as it opposes the Christian idea of the ideal family life and the faithful marital status of a person. Polygamy is a Greek word meaning “the practice of multiple marriages”. It is the term used to describe an act in which a man is married to two or more woman, all at the same time. The very first marriage, Adam and Eve, in many ways serves as a prototype, if you will. Notice that God knew that it was not good that Adam was alone and God provided for Adam a "help meet" (counter -part that was a complement to Adam, Gen. 2: 18). Observe how God did not simply provide another man, but for Adam God made woman, the "glory of the man" (Gen. 2: 18ff., I Cor. 11: 7ff.). Hence, same sex marriage is not part of God’s arrangement for the marriage bond (see Rom. 1: 22ff.). Moreover, appreciate the fact that when God instituted marriage, it was one man and one woman (Gen. 2). If polygamy is the "ideal," as some are teaching, why, then, did not God create Eve, Sue, Jane, etc. for Adam' Saint Augustine saw a conflict with Old Testament polygamy. He wrote “That the good purpose of marriage, however, is better promoted by one husband with one wife, than by a husband with several wives, is shown plainly enough by the very first union of a married pair, which was made by the Divine Being Himself” The New Testament does not specifically address the morality of polygamy. However, 1 Timothy, states at certain Church leaders should have but one wife: "A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach" (3:2), also in 1 Corinthians (7: 2) it states that, "Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband." The Roman Catholic Church clearly condemns polygamy; the Catechism of the Catholic Church lists it in paragraph 2387 under the head “Other offences against the dignity of marriage” and states that “polygamy is not in accord with the moral law. [Conjugal] communion is radically contradicted by polygamy; this, in fact, directly negates the plan of God which was revealed from the beginning, because it is contrary to the equal personal dignity of men and women who in matrimony give themselves with a love that is total and therefore unique and exclusive”. In modern times a minority of Roman Catholic theologians have argued that polygamy, can be a legitimate form of Christian marriage in certain regions, in particular Africa. The Old Testament mentions plural marriage as an acceptable variation for the Hebrews, and many of the Abrahamic prophets and patriarchs had multiple wives, including Lamech, Abraham, Jacob, Esau, Gideon, Saul, David, Solomon, Rehoboam, Elkanah, Ashur, Abijah and Jehoiada. Some interpretations also suggest Moses had a second wife in Tharbis. In addition to the many examples of plural marriage, the Pentateuch also lists guidelines and rules concerning the taking of multiple wives; noting that "If he takes another wife to himself, he shall not diminish her food, her clothing, or her marital rights, [Ex 21:10] and making it an obligation for men whose brothers have left a widow to marry her and support her family [Deut 25:5–10]. In the 16th century, there was a Christian re-examination of plural marriages. The founder of the Protestant Reformation, Martin Luther wrote: "I confess that I cannot forbid a person to marry several wives, for it does not contradict the Scripture. If a man wishes to marry more than one wife he should be asked whether he is satisfied in his conscience that he may do so in accordance with the word of God. In such a case the civil authority has nothing to do in the matter." So it is permissible for a man to marry more than one wife but only if he can ensure that he does not deviate or violate any of the commandments of God. The theologian Philipp Melanchthon likewise counseled that Henry VIII need not risk schism by dissolving his union with the established churches to grant himself divorces in order to replace his barren wives, but could instead look to polygamy as a suitable alternative. So there is a difference of opinion in the Testaments, the Old Testament has many examples of polygamy and accepts polygamy. Whereas the New Testament is strongly against polygamy, for the reason that a person can only have a loving and committed relationship with one woman. ‘To what extent are religious teachings about homosexuality out of date'’ (20 Marks) It seems as though the values of the modern western society are replacing the teachings of religion. Is this because the Religious teachings haven’t yet caught up with today’s views' Religion suggests that homosexuality is wrong and that any type of sexuality activity with someone of the same sex is wrong because it is not related to reproduction. However modern liberal western society seems to challenge each of these things with a basic idea that as long as people consent to what is going on, and no one else is harmed, they are fine. So, religion offers an old-fashioned view of the world which has none of the advantages of modern ideas regarding human equality. Homosexuality is a lot more common now and is more widely accepted in society. There was strong apprehension against footballers that admitted they were gay. However the Guardian newspaper, last year, highlighted that now that homosexuality is more accepted maybe it is time for more footballers to admit it. Max Clifford said: “there are gay players in the top division in English football, and some of them are out to their clubs and team-mates and nobody gives a jot.” So if the players aren’t bothered and other people aren’t affected by their sexuality then why should religion discriminate against homosexuality' Recently it was also in the news that a Christian couple was denied the right to foster as they said that if the child were homosexual they would not support the child. So, religious teachings now don’t even hold any importance within the legal system.