Polygamy Reconsidered

Today, Christianity has become the most popular and fast-growing religion in Ghana. Paradoxically, the Christian Church, in whatever form it has taken, has, for a complexity of reasons, basically remained a weak church with a weak foundation. This book discusses, from a theologico-cultural anthropological perspective, some of the ecclesial and social processes and factors that, the author believes, are responsible for the creation of this paradox in the case of the Ghanaian Catholic Church and demonstrates how they influence the search for a Catholic spiritual tradition in it.

The early missionaries brought Christianity from the monogamous West to the polygamous societies of Africa. Were the missionaries right in demanding that converts dismiss all but one wife? Was this the demand of the Christian faith or of Western civilization? And were the converts right to dismiss their wives though they had married them according to the laws of the land? And who asked the children if they wanted their mothers to be dismissed and may or may not be married to another man? The book argues that while polygamy is an African reality, it is below Christian moral standards. However is stopping converted polygamous men and women from baptism best practice if we believe that sin can be forgiven for the one who repents? Can the shedding of responsibility for wives and children be made a precondition for such forgiveness?

Polygamy is a very complex phenomenon with a long tradition in Africa, but also in Europe. The anthology will contribute to the objectification of the discussion by portraying the variety of polygamous lifestyles showing the interconnections of family structure, social and economic conditions, cultural representations (especially in fictive writing and oral tradition), spiritual meaning and religious legitimation of this way of life between traditional belief, Christianity and Islam. Case studies from different countries in Africa south of the Sahara will be added by historic examples since antiquity in Europe up to the discussion in present times.

Polygamy in the Law of Moses argues that the Mosaic Law provides implicit support for polygamy as a licit practice in the Old Testament period. This assertion is contrary to the claims of a number of contemporary influential scholars. This book examines six key texts: Exodus 21:7-11; Leviticus 18:18; Deuteronomy 17:17; 21:15-17; 22:23-29; and 25:5-10. Each of these key texts are contested by various scholars regarding their implications for understanding polygamy in the Hebrew Bible. Ryan J. Stephens provides an examination of each of these key texts as well as a critical interaction with and evaluation of counter claims made by scholars. Stephens provides clarity to the discussion of polygamy in the Hebrew Bible in support of the view that polygamy was a licit practice in the Old Testament period.

This fact-filled book on polygamy and plural unions around the world supports an in-depth consideration of policy options for Western countries. Polygamy and plural marriage have become front-and-center issues in Europe, Canada, and the United States, notably on two religious fronts: among some splinter groups of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and in Islam. Polygamy in the Monogamous World: Multicultural Challenges for Western Law and Policy takes both groups into account as it provides a careful examination of legal polygamy in non-Western countries and plural unions in North America. Comparing these similar, but legally distinct forms of union, it offers a fresh perspective on how Western countries should respond to these relationships. Specifically, the book surveys non-Western countries where polygamy is legally practiced, then provides an overview of plural unions in North America. The problems of polygamy and plural unions are examined, including the potential for tne abuse of wives. The responses of Western governments to such relationships are reviewed, and the most effective solutions are identified to ascertain what policies should be adopted going forward.