Marrying two wives is legally justified under certain traditions and cultures, but Christianity has laid out strict marriage laws, which are strictly obserbed by millions of people worldwide. In Christianity, having two wives is not only forbidden but also considered as a sin. In Christian theology, Jesus Christ laid down the foundations for marriage with his words, “it is not good for a man to be alone”. This means that a man should be faithful to one woman and not have more than one wife.
The Bible states in Leviticus 18:18 that, “You shall not take a wife in addition to her sister as a rival while she is alive, to uncover her nakedness”. This verse clearly indicates that a man should not marry two wives while the first wife is still alive. Similarly, 1 Timothy 3:2, also known as the Pastor’s Law, states, “Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife”. This implies that having more than one wife is not allowed even for those of clerical stature.
The Catholic Church, one of the largest branches of Christianity, also maintains a strict stand against polygamy. Even during the early days of Catholic Church, polygamy was strictly prohibited. It is believed that Jesus Christ himself provided full support for the monogamous form of marriage. In fact, even Christian churches in the present day do not solemnize marriages between two wives.
In polygynous situations, even if the women involved in such marriage happily accept it, there are several practical and emotional problems which need to be taken into consideration. It can be argued that marrying two wives is likely to cause jealousy, rivalry and resentment between them. Marriage ensures companionship, but in a polygynous setup this companionship is not available to all the parties involved.
While Christianity recognizes marriage as a sacred bond between two individuals, it makes it clear that this bond must be based on monogamous principles. According to the Bible, marriage should be based upon love, trust, companionship and loyalty – factors which are not applicable in such a dual-wife marriage. If a man truly wants to side with the Christian ideals of marriage, then he should not marry two wives no matter what the socio-cultural context is.
Legality of Multiple Marriages
The exact legal status of multiple marriages varies from country to country. According to the law books of most countries, polygamy is completely illegal and punishable with hefty fines and even jail terms. In some countries, polygamy is allowed by civil law, although Christian authorities may not recognize such marriages. In Victorian Britain for instance, bigamy was a criminal offense. Many countries of the Islamic faith allow a man to have more than one wife, but in such cases the man has to pay for the upkeep of all the women involved.
In countries with a large concentration of Christians, the laws related to marriage are heavily influenced by the Church. Countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom and even many African countries have strict laws against polygamy and they do not recognize multiple marriages even if it is allowed by the civil law. For example, in the United States, a man who marries two women is guilty of the crime of bigamy and can be punished with jail time.
The sad truth is that while countries across the world have strong laws against polygamy, there are still many cases where men marry two or more women secretly in order to avoid legal hassle and persecution. In such cases, the women involved are usually kept in seclusion and are not given the rights and privileges which are granted to a lawfully wedded wife.
Social Acceptance of Multiple Marriages
Social acceptance of such marriages also largely depends upon the society in which the marriage takes place. In some societies such marriages are openly accepted, while in others these kinds of arrangements are frowned upon.
In some cultures, the practice of marrying two wives is seen as a sign of status and wealth. Men in such cultures are believed to have the financial ability to pay for more than one wife and that is why they choose to enter into such arrangements.
In some sections of the world, multiple marriages are seen as a tool to strengthen ties between different families. Marriages are believed to bind two families together and two wives can therefore mean a strong connection between two men and two families.
On the other hand, there are some cultures and societies in which such arrangements are not accepted at all. In many Christian countries, having two wives is considered a sin and one cannot escape the fact that it defeats the purpose of Christian marriage.
Polygamy and Divorce
It is a well-known fact that even in cultures where multiple marriages are allowed, divorce is usually not possible. In such cultures, the man cannot simply divorce one wife and take up another. This implies that it is not only the men that suffer in such agreements, but the women are also deprived of the right to reclaim their rights as wives.
Divorce rates in polygamous societies are also higher than those in monogamous societies. This may be due to the envy and rivalry between the women involved in such cases. It should also be noted that children born from a multiple-wife marriage may also have to face difficulties due to the fact that the marriage was not legal.
Views of Christian Leaders
Christian religious leaders have a lot to say on the issue of multiple wives. According to some religious authorities, even if a man has the financial ability to look after more than one wife, it does not necessarily mean that he should do so. Many religious leaders reject such arrangements as un-Christian. They argue that polygamy goes against the principles of monogamy which are laid down by Jesus Christ himself. Multiple marriages take away the rights of women and are therefore considered as an unfair arrangement.
At the same time, it must be kept in mind that all churches do not abide by the same principles when it comes to multiple marriages. Certain sects of Christianity such as the Mormons, allow multiple wives but the practice is heavily criticized by other Christian denominations.
Effects on Families and Children
Multiple marriages can lead to a great number of problems within the family unit. In such cases, the children may be deprived of proper care and attention as the husband is expected to evenly distribute his time and resources among his many wives. Studies have also shown that such arrangements are likely to have a negative impact on the social development of the children.
The women involved in multiple marriages must also be taken into consideration. These women often suffer from neglect, and their role in the marriage is mostly limited to the position of a housewife. In some cases, the women do not even receive adequate financial protection from the husband.
Having multiple wives also often leads to a sense of insecurity, jealousy and mistrust between the women. This can lead to frequent arguments and quarrels, which can disrupt the peace of the home. Furthermore, such marriages also make it difficult for the men to build meaningful relationships with their family and friends, as the multiple wives of such a man are likely to cause suspicions.
Changing Attitudes Towards Multiple Marriages
The attitudes of the people towards polygamy are changing and modern attitudes are far kinder towards such unions than they were ever before. Nowadays multiple marriages are not as stigmatized as they once were and people are beginning to recognize that polygamy is a valid lifestyle choice.
Those who support multiple marriages often argue that such unions can provide both physical and emotional security to the women involved and that it is unfair to judge the wives in such unions.
At the same time, the criticisms leveled against such marriages still hold true. In the end, one cannot ignore the fact that marriage is meant to be between one man and one woman. Until and unless the principles of Christian marriage are accepted and respected, multiple marriages will remain forbidden.
