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MONDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2009
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Polygamists Push to Legalize Marriages

Some 40,000 live in polygamous families in Utah

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(Newser) – As many as 40,000 people live in polygamous families in Utah and parents are stepping up efforts to make plural marriages legal, reports the BBC. The lobbying organization Principle Voices is pressing for state law changes. Authorities rarely crack down on polygamous families unless they're linked to child brides or sex assaults because there are too many to prosecute, according to officials. The lifestyle has recently been popularized in the HBO series Big Love.

"I see myself as a free man in a free society," said one polygamist, who recently attended a conference to hear about the issue from state politicians. One lawmaker praised polygamists' values. "I'm not being soft on them," he said. "But I don't have the resources to throw them all in jail. I hope they now work through the process of changing the law if they disagree with it."

Several thousand polygamy supporters demonstrate in support of plural marriages last year in St. George, Utah.
Several thousand polygamy supporters demonstrate in support of plural marriages last year in St. George, Utah.   (Getty Images)
The Mormon church banned polygamy in 1890, but many faithful are in plural marriages.
The Mormon church banned polygamy in 1890, but many faithful are in plural marriages.   (Getty Images)
A Mormon family demonstrate the faith's tendency toward polygamy, circa 1890.
A Mormon family demonstrate the faith's tendency toward polygamy, circa 1890.   (Getty Images)
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The Brown family from Utah speak about their life in polygamy.   (Bonratay)

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12 comments
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radnip
Mar 23, 09 4:36 AM CDT
Yep, should be completely legal. It would be extremely useful to have at least 3 husbands. Finally there'd be enough handymen about and enough back rubs. Reply
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IN RESPONSE:
Doctor_Zaius
Mar 23, 09 6:04 AM CDT
I don't have a problem with this. If it's what people want and everyone is an adult and willing. Multiple husbands or wives or any combination. Who cares what other people do and how does that impact people who are not involved.
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IN RESPONSE:
gregconquest
Mar 23, 09 9:06 AM CDT
Who cares, Doctorzarius? I imagine all the bachelors who have no female prospects because a few guys have monoplolized them -- they'll care. And then you'll have a bunch of horny guys running around and then the rest of us will care. Now if an equitable number of women could have male harems, then this problem would be eliminated. I can't imagine the transition to such a culture on a mass scale from what we have now. Just look at how fucked up Utah and China is now with the surfeit of men.
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IN RESPONSE:
Doctor_Zaius
Mar 24, 09 1:11 PM CDT
Were not killing them. Just marrying them.
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Thinker
Mar 23, 09 7:15 AM CDT
Mormons are the biggest hypocrites in the country. The fought to restrict the rights of gays to marry by giving money to Prop 8, but now they expect consideration to marry??? I'm disgusted with them. I say NO to them, until everyone can marry freely. How dare they? Reply
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