History of Polygamy

Polygamy when translated from its original Greek, means "often married", a rather apt description for those in marragies with more than one partner. Polygamy refers to both marraiges between one man and multiple women or one woman and multiple men.

Types of polygamy

Polygamy where the man has multiple wives is called polygyny, and there is no marital bond between the women. Polygamy where the woman has multiple husbands is called polyandry, and there is no marital bond between the men. If a marraige involves multiple husbands and wives, then it is classified as a group marraige. Polygyny is and was always the more popular form of polygamy, worldwide.

Ancient societies

The practice of polygamy was present in many societies and religions since ancient times. Hinduism and Buddhism have examples of polygamy in thier mythology, but, in modern India, only Muslim men are allowed to practice polygamy. It is ruled illegal for Hindus, Buddhists, Jains and Sikhs within the country of India. Buddhists in other lands are not limited from the practice by their religion, so the acceptance of the practice differs from land to land.

Biblical examples

Though there are examples of sanctioned polygamy within the bible, it was not the common practice. One example was the Levirate marriage, wherein a man was to marry and support his brother's widowed wife. Other excepted causes were famine and infertility. However, it was specified that, in such cases, a man must give first-born inheritance rights to his first-born son, even if he disliked the child's mother.

Christianity

The move away from polygamy among Christians began approximately with Saint Augustine. Though it took time for this disapproval to spread, the practice is not accepted among Christian denominations today.

Today, the most prevalent practice of polygamy in the United States is among practicing Mormons. Polygamy is an ancient practice which is practiced globally by many religions, countries and societies.