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If that is so, then why did so many of your bible heros have multiple wives? Not only that, but some had quite a bit on the side as well. Before you put down others remember that there is lots of polygamy in the bible.
The Law in the OT allowed for multiple wives, but the practice was not encouraged or endorsed by God. It was the many wives (and their false religions) that caused David and Solomon to fall into sin, actually.
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Originally Posted by Visvaldis
Cults (which include religion) place restrictions on certain foods at certain times and sexual behavior. America's christian evangelists certainly revolve around money and power. Conveniently, you forgot those.
You're right. A lot of them do focus too much on money and power. Christians are not exempt from it.
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The bible counsels to control our desires? To what end? What good does it do?
We need to focus on more lasting, higher things. It's crazy to think that our desires for earthly things would get in the way of a relationship with your creator.
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Religion is unnatural, against everything instinctive. Religion considers itself successful by mutilating the human mind.
Some religion is, at least.
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Originally Posted by coosjoaquin
IIRC, the old testament says that you can marry as many women as you want as long as you provide for them.
Being a married man, I can speak from experience that abstinence is the most effective form of birth control... no kids yet
Humans are proned to do what feels good, and they're going to do it despite the consequences much of the time. The problem I find with abstinence is that it is so absolute in nature. A person can go their whole teenage years without having sex once, but eventually many of they will slip. So what's a young semi-couple with no knowledge of birth control or disease prevention to do when they slip up?
I think that Coos hit the nail, abstinence is fine, but when it fails, the whole thing is a failure and it creates a lot of headache for everyone. I would rather have a person that is savvy about sex than totally ignorant about it. Sure they may get around more, but it beats getting around once and catching a disease or pregnancy on the first time.
So, should we all simply follow our natural instincts?
If not, why not?
We all do follow our natural instincts a LOT. Think of emotions, sex drive, running from things that scare us, pleasure seeking. Not a day goes by that we don't use our natural instincts.
We also have a mind able to handle logic and abstracts, make long term decisions and so on. Both have their time and place, it's all about the balance of the two. Even at that, much of our logical decisions work in conjunction with with our instincts.
One of them is Exodus 21 10-11. Interestingly enough, it's in the context of laws that god gave to moses regarding slaves.
Hmm......it states:
Exodus 21:10-11
(10) If he takes another wife,23 he must not diminish the first one's food,24 her clothing, or her marital rights.25
(11) If he does not provide her with these three things, then she will go out free, without paying money.26
I don't see anything in there about "as many women as you want". Can you show me?
Exodus 21:10-11
(10) If he takes another wife,23 he must not diminish the first one's food,24 her clothing, or her marital rights.25
(11) If he does not provide her with these three things, then she will go out free, without paying money.26
I don't see anything in there about "as many women as you want". Can you show me?
How? It says that if you can afford to maintain the wives standard of living you can have another wife. It pretty much says that all you have to be able to do is afford them (how do you even afford one ). It may not directly say that you can have as many as you want but the point is that it sure doesn't say that we are supposed to be limited to one wife either. Maybe five or six? Ten? or 700 wives and 300 concubines....
Hang on, please address the god mandated bigamy here.
Can you show me where God "mandated" it? Seems like he is regulating it, more than "mandating" it. God also allowed the hard-hearted people to divorce, although he also said he hates it.
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Originally Posted by cleatis
How? It says that if you can afford to maintain the wives standard of living you can have another wife. It pretty much says that all you have to be able to do is afford them (how do you even afford one ). It may not directly say that you can have as many as you want but the point is that it sure doesn't say that we are supposed to be limited to one wife either. Maybe five or six? Ten? or 700 wives and 300 concubines....
Ok. I'll give you that--he does permit it. I won't argue that point anymore. I misspoke and you've set me straight.
Also, good point about being able to afford one. After my wife discovered how to use Ebay a few years ago it's cost me/us a lot of money.
It is interesting though, that the many wives/concubines of Solomon was his undoing. They drew him away from God.
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