Polygamy

I've just finished watching the amazing documentary 'four wives one man' following a polygamous family living in Iran. At times it was funny, but mostly it was hearbreaking. It also raises questions about the morality of polygamous marriages.

What was sad, was not that he had more than one wife, but how he treated his ladies. They had no respect, and were valued so little. His fourth wife had already tried to set herself on fire twice (though we don't know whether this was before she married him), and said she would kill herself if he married again. The end of the film came when he brought home wife number 5 - who was also extremely young.

He admitted hitting his wifes, and the wives themselves told of a catalogue of abuse. He would play them off against eachother, and they bickered and argued. The only uplifting part of the film was his mother, who was extremely outspoken. Her first words were 'my son likes pussy' - what a trooper she is!!

Is it possible to be happy in such a marriage? I mean, the unhappiness those women experienced is not just becuase of polygamy, but because they married a horrible man. I can't see how they can be happy, because I think the essence of a marriage is partnership - which is something they didn't have.

5 men sounds in theory fabulous, but in reality - one is more than enough ;-)

BBC discusses homosexuality in the Bible

Very interesting article.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/3205727.stm