20th April 2008, 9:02 AM
Eh, I don't really care for polygamy, but whether it should be illegal is another matter entirely. If it's kept on a small scale (and considering our culture and our values, I don't see it spreading outside some religious wackos, like the church of the LDS), what's the big deal?
Obviously, forcing a minor to marry someone or engage in sexual activity that violates federal/state law is another matter entirely. I otherwise don't feel the need for government intervention into polygamy, as I believe that any engagement agreed upon between consenting adults should not be impeded by legislation that intends to inflict certain types of morality upon the population. Protection for the minority is one of the ideals this country was found upon (but ironically enough, freedom of religion was not really consistently supported, and state-endorsed religion varied by each state when we began with the first 13 colonies; Quakers, for instance, were persecuted very badly in some states based on religious principles).
Obviously, forcing a minor to marry someone or engage in sexual activity that violates federal/state law is another matter entirely. I otherwise don't feel the need for government intervention into polygamy, as I believe that any engagement agreed upon between consenting adults should not be impeded by legislation that intends to inflict certain types of morality upon the population. Protection for the minority is one of the ideals this country was found upon (but ironically enough, freedom of religion was not really consistently supported, and state-endorsed religion varied by each state when we began with the first 13 colonies; Quakers, for instance, were persecuted very badly in some states based on religious principles).