THE PRACTICE OF POLYGYNY IN AN HOSTILE ENVIRONMENT (CALIFORNIA, FOR EXAMPLE) COPYRIGHT © 1997 BY L. TYLER This file may be copied and distributed publicly if it is not changed. oldservant@delphi.com mark541@hotmail.com Lovenchosen@hotmail.com TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. California law and the practice of polygyny. P. 1 2. The Biblical basis for diligent discretion in polygyny P. 3 3. Possible polygynous wedding covenants/contracts P. 9 1. CALIFORNIA LAW AND THE PRACTICE OF POLYGYNY To pracitce polygyny in California today, you must not: 1. Be legally married to more than one "wife" at the same time (CA Criminal Law #820) 2. Be married in an officially recognized ceremony to more than one "wife" at one time (CA Criminal Law 822; Fam Law #66)) 3. Be married in a state or publicly recognized common-law marriage to more than one wife at the same time (CL 822; Fam Law #65 & #66) 4. Be married by state license to more than one mate at the same time (CL822) 5. Be solemnized in marriage to more than one wife at the same time by an official recognized by the state (CL822). If the polygynous "marriage" is "solemnized" by ceremony, rite or ritual, the words "wife", "husband" and "marriage" should be avoided carefully (a good thesaurus will help. See the appendix. See Fam Law#65). 6. Be authenticated in marriage to more than one wife at the same time (in polygyny) in any way acceptable to the state (CL822) 7. File the marriage certificate of registry with the state, for your polygynous marriage. (CL822) 8. Conclude officially or legally your "marriage" in polygyny. (CL824) 9. Publicly cohabit as husband and wife, publicly and mutually assuming marital rights, duties and obligations, including sexual relations with more than one wife at the same time.(CL825) 10. Have the reputation in a community of being married, nor deport yourselves in the neighborhood as husband and wife (Fam Law 61 & 62). Specifically you must not establish a common, general, uniform, and undivided repute among witnesses/neigborhood that you are married to more than one mate at the same time. (Fam Law#65, Re Estate of Gill; Hite v. Hite; Re Estate of Baldwin). 11. Have any one other than the actual parties of the polygynous marriage present at the "wedding" ceremony (Fam Law 62), since every witness of the "wedding" is a possible "witness" of the polygynous marriage in a bigamy trial. See # 5 above. I don't see any problem with witnesses at "union ceremony", or "bonding ceremony" (not wedding ceremony, see ch. 3) A man and his women who practice polygyny in Calif. must realize that the admissions of polygyny by one of his mates is hard evidence for the state in a felony bigamy case. The "testimony by a party to one of the marriages in issue" (People v. Van Wie/O'Neal/Rauch) is hard evidence. The testimony of any witness to a polygynous wedding is such evidence (People v. Stokes/ DuFault). The testimony of witnesses of the polygynous mates' cohabitation and their reputation of "being married" is such hard evidence (People v. Beevers/DuFault). But all life is full risks and there is always the possiblity of a Judas in the crowd in every gathering. For those who feel led to enter into polygyny in California, they must do so at their own risk and they must do it very prudently, counting the cost before entering into it. To be polygynous in California, your "marriages" must be without benefit of the civil law, its protection and its requirements. It is best if none of the members of a polygynous marriage is legally/officially married to the husband of the family (Fam Law58). There is no law against two or more single people living together and having sex together, so a polygynous family can take on this appearance/manifestation. The second or etc. wife in a polygynous marriage can neither have nor seek protection or recognition of marital rights or obligations by the state. The state must not know the true nature of the polygynous relationship. Rights and responsibilities may be drawn up and agreed to in a private, but witnessed contract, carefully avoiding the use of words like "husband" or "wife" or "marriage". Such a contract must not have any language that represents or presents the parties involved as husband and wife or wives. Property rights, money distribution, bill payment, financial responsibilities, child rearing duties, sexual relations, inheritances, house keeping duties etc. can all be covered by a witnessed (by God or by humans) contract between the parites involved. I believe that every "wife" in polygyny should be given the "power of attorney" in all matters of her "husband" in the event of his incapacity or hospitalization, and every "husband" in polygyny should be given the "power of attorney" in all matters of each of his "wives". Of course all parties involved should have carefully drawn up wills covering the disposition of their property and children in the event of the death or incapacity. There can be no state recognized ceremony or documents or documentation. There can be no state recognized common law marriage of the parties involved in the polygynous relationship. As stated in Hebrews 11:13-16, our citizenship is in the heavenlies in the spiritual realm and we await the City of God. So instead of being licensed by the state, Christian polygynists must get the permission to marry from their King, the Lord Jesus Christ. Instead of being solemnized by the an official of the state, the polygynous marriage must be solemnized by the presence of God, His angels and His children. His Word that He hates covenant breaking (Malachi 2) and that He hates the break up of marriages----that Word gives all the necessary solemnity to a sincere exchange of marital covenants between the polygynous husband and wife. The fact that He knows our hearts, the thoughts and intents of our hearts, makes Him the only One Who can really authenticate such a polygynous marriage. Nothing needs to filed with God since He was there as witness and every word said and every thought imagined are a matter of record with Him. To conclude your polygynous marriage with cohabitation requires great discretion on the part of those involved. They may not present themselves as husband and "wives" to society in general and their neighbors in particular (Boyd v. Boyd, 1962, CrimLaw825). A polygynous husband must not address his polygynous spouse as wife in public, in introductions or even in writing to those not intimately involved in the polygynous "marriage. Romans 14:16-23 makes it real clear that the practice of such controversial things requires secrecy and discretion on the part of those who have the liberty to practice it. To the world they may be only man and mistress, or boy friend and girl friends shacking up. Only in the circles of their confidants and supporters may they be known as "husband" and "wife", even though those words are not used. In California "It is no defense to a charge of bigamy that the doctrines and practice of polygamy are a part of the religion of the accused" (Reynolds v. U.S.; Davis v. Beason). Polygyny in California may not take the form of Common Law marriage, nor may it involve the public presentation of the parties involved as husband and wife/wives. To practice polygyny in California, you may not publicly address your polygynous spouse(s) as wife and she (they) should not publicly address you as husband. But what is in the word "wife"? Isn't it the relationship, the covenants that make the marriage, and not the words "husband and wife"? If a wife in polygyny knows that her husband is an honorable man before the Lord, a man of integrity, a man who honors his word and his commitments, then she will feel just as much his wife when he introduces her as, or calls her "my Beloved", "my Darling", "my Lover", "my Lady", "my darling Helpmeet", "Blessed Companion", "the Queen of my heart", etc. instead of "my wife". If a husband in polygyny knows that his mate in polygyny is an honorable woman before the Lord, a woman of integrity, a woman who honors her word and her commitments, then he will feel just as much her husband when she introduces him as, or calls him "My Man", "My Mate", "Beloved", "my Companion' etc. instead of "my husband". There are many names for a wife and a husband other than "wife" and "husband". Love and creativity can join forces to develop names that are uniquely yours in your marriage that speak to you of the intimate and confidential nature of your polygynous marriage. It is the covenant before God that makes the marriage, not the names or titles. 2. THE BIBLICAL BASIS FOR DILIGENT DISCRETION IN POLYGYNY (From Divorce & Polygyny) IX. MARRIAGE, CONCUBINES, CIVIL LAW, PERSONAL LIBERTY AND A LOVING CONSCIENCE! Surely Romans 13 and related passages apply. And certainly the principles of Romans 14 and l Cor 8 & 10 apply. The following is a brief summary of those principles: 1. Receive the weak in faith (their faith allows them very little personal liberty) but not to dispute doubtful things/points>61 . Doubtful things are things that the Bible is not explicitly clear about leaving a gray area for individuals to exercise their own judgment (e.g. eating meat vs. vegetarianism, length of dress, courtship and engagement, television, movies, computer use etc.) 2. Don't despise or condemn your brother/sister in Christ if (1) they feel free to do doubtful things or (2) they don't feel free to do doubtful things>62 3. Don't put a stumbling block, an occasion to take offense, put an obstacle in the way>82 , give someone an opportunity for sinning>63 4. Don't make your brethren uneasy>83 or hurt, injure or damage others' feelings>84. 5. Don't destroy your brethren's faith with your personal liberty>64 6. Let not the personal liberty your faith allows be evil spoken of>65 7. Do that which builds and helps the faith of your brethren>66 . 8. Don't put a temptation to sin in someone's way>.85 , or do that which leads another to sin>.86 . 9. Have your faith from the Word that allows you your personal liberty privately, discretely and personally before God and be happy in it>67 10. Don't do anything you have doubts about, doubts about whether or not it is God's will for you to do, be or have)>68 11. If your faith is strong allowing you a great deal of personal liberty, you should bear the weaknesses of those whose faith allows little personal liberty, not pleasing ourselves. Seek to please your brethren for their good, growth and development in the Lord and Word>69 . [Footnote: [>61 (Rm.14:1) >62 . (Rm. 14:3,4) >.82 Please see Arndt & Gingrich's Lexicon. >83 Please see Thayer's Lexicon. >63 . (Rm. 14:13). >.84 Please see Arndt & Gingrich's Lexicon. >64 . (Rm 14:15). >65 (Rm. 14:16,17). >66 (Rm. 14:18,19). >.85 (Rm. 14:13)Please see Arndt & Gingrich's Lexicon. >.86 Please see Thayer's Lexicon. >67 (Rm.14:22). >68 . (Rm. 14:23). >69 . (Rm. 15:1-3)] But how do these principles apply? Obviously polygyny or concubinage is a felony to officially marry (by man's laws) more than one woman in terms of the government's law, public records, inheritance laws and divorce laws in most Western or industrial nations. Obviously it is socially acceptable, legal and not a felony in most Asian nations, the Mid East, Africa and Indian tribes in the Americas. That is as clear as black and white. But there is a great big gray area. Many Western states recognize informal marriage (concubinage) as common law marriages but as soon as they become official they come under the monogamy laws. But they can live for years in the morally acceptable informal and unofficial common law status without any illegality. Under Administrative Law in California, County Welfare officials set up semi-official marriages with people who live together without being married where one or both parties could still be legally married to others. Administrative Welfare law recognizes them as a semi-married couple and will grant them AFDC aid and even help them get divorces so they can eventually marry IF THEY WISH. With the state's approval they live together as a family sometimes for years, but they have no IRS rights, or inheritance rights or marital tax status from the state as a married couple. It is legal and approved of by state law. California's courts have also established palimony rights where they protect the covenant/contractual rights of people living in unofficial marriage or concubinage. While they have no official tax status or inheritance rights the courts have established that a marital relationship and the members of that relationship have protection under the law in terms of their covenants, contracts, vows, espousal or betrothal. The courts have awarded "palimony", property and child custody rights in and from these relationships. The new no-discrimination-against- one's-sexual-orientation laws protect those who practice informal contractual polygyny or concubinage. Since God prescribes no "wedding ceremony", ritual, vows or rite>87 to make two people married, leaving it to the local churches to have their own redeemed local and indigenous marital customs>88 . The vows, covenants, betrothals and prenuptial contracts seem to be covered by God's standards in the following: [Footnote: >87 See appendix #4 . >.88 See appendix #4 .] MKJV EZEKIEL 16: 3 ÒAnd say, So says the Lord Jehovah to Jerusalem, . . . 8 And I passed by you and looked on you, and, behold, your time [was] the time of love. And I spread my skirt over you and covered your nakedness. And I swore to you and entered into a covenant with you, says the Lord Jehovah. And you became Mine.Ó MKJV MALACHI 2:14 ÒYet you say, Why? Because the LORD has been witness between you and the wife of your youth, against whom you have dealt treacherously; yet she [is] your companion and your covenant wife. 15 And did He not make [you] one? Yet the vestige of the Spirit [is in] him. And what [of] the one? He was seeking a godly seed. Then guard your spirit, and do not act treacherously with the wife of your youth. 16 The LORD, the God of Israel, says He hates sending away; and to cover [with] violence on his garment, says the LORD of hosts. Then guard your spirit, and do not act treacherously.Ó Here "act treacherously" means " break covenant" or "fail to honor your covenant/commitment". MKJV ECCLES. 5:4 ¦Ó When you vow a vow to God, do not wait to pay it. For He has no pleasure in fools. Pay that which you have vowed. 5 [it is] better that you should not vow, than that you should vow and not pay. 6 Do not allow your mouth to cause your flesh to sin; do not say before the angel that it [was] an error. Why should God be angry at your voice and destroy the work of your hands? Ò MKJV PSALM 15:1 ¦ ÒA Psalm of David. LORD, who shall dwell in Your tabernacle? . . . 2 He who walks uprightly, and works righteousness, and speaks the truth in his heart; . . . [he] has sworn to his hurt, and does not change it; 5. . . He who does these [things] shall not be moved forever.Ó MKJV ROMANS 1:28 ÒAnd even as they did not think fit to have God in [their] knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do the things not right, 29 being filled with all unrighteousness . . . 31 . . . covenant-breakers. . . 32 who, knowing the righteous order of God, that those practicing such things are worthy of death, not only do them, but have pleasure in those practicing [them].Ó It is the treachery of breaking marital covenants that God condemns in these passages and that which he hates. "Yes, I swore an oath to you and entered into covenant with you, and you became Mine," says the Lord God>70 . We become a part of the bride of Christ in the same way. The Spirit considered Mary and Joseph as husband and wife on the basis of their espousal/betrothal/ covenants even before the wedding and the coming together>71. [Footnote: >70 (Ezek. 16:8). >71 (Mat. 1:18-25 ;Deut. 22:23-27)] So why can't two Christians exchange espousal/betrothal covenants and become each other's marital partners without a formal marriage which would be illegal? Of course they can since common law marriages are legally acceptable in most of AmericaÕs states and in most of the countries of the world. But should they? We are bound by our covenants and God makes it clear He has no pleasure in the fools who break them >72 . We enter into the gray zone of the liberty we have in Christ>73 that is limited by the cords of Agape love. Yes two Christians could exchange their vows/ covenants without a formal/legal wedding day but if they became involved in intimacy and that intimacy became an offense or stumbling block to another saint it would be sin and could destroy the work of Christ in another or embolden a weak one to be intimate contrary to his/her conscience>74 . So is such intimacy a sin between two Christians who have solemnly and formally covenanted before God that they are maritally one flesh as long as they both live? It is neither illegal nor sinful but it becomes sin if it stumbles, offends, grieves another in Christ> 75 . [Footnote: >72 (Eccles. 5:5; Psalm 15). >73 (Rom 14). >74 (l Cor. 8 & 10). >75 (Rom. 14; 1 Cor. 8 & 10).] But what about the command in Romans 14 that states that if you have a solid controversial conviction from the Word, have it to yourself before God? Happy is the one who does not condemn himself in what he approves>76 . But woe to him if he does it with doubts or offense to another in Christ. So it seems to be with post covenant but pre-wedding day intimacy. It seems to be the same case with polygyny / concubinage. Do you practice/believe in polygyny /concubinage? Have it and do so privately and very discreetly before God. Happy is the one who does not condemn one's self in what he approves in the liberty of Christ. But she who practices/believes in polygyny /concubinage with doubts is condemned if she indulges because she does not practice it out of conviction from the Spirit and the Word. polygyny/concubinage is indeed pure, but it is evil to practice it if it stumble, offends, grieves or weakens your brethren in Christ>77 . [Footnote: >76 (Rom 14:22,23). >77 (Rom. 14; 1 Cor. 8 & 10)] Foreign Christian polygynists visiting Western monogamous societies encounter a special challenge. Spiritual and Godly Christians would be able to handle it well and in the Lord, but the unsaved, the carnal, the Spiritual milk drinkers, the legalists, the ignorant, and those weak of conscience would all have varying problems with a Christian polygynist and his wives visiting their Western/Occidental church>78 . The visiting Christian polygynist should do all within his power to not let his liberty hinder the effectiveness of his testimony and witness to these people, if they would be willing to receive it. [Footnote: >78 (1 Cor. 8 & 10; Rom. 14 & 15)] Hopefully mercy and compassion would move the Christian polygynist to not flaunt his polygyny in the face of such "Christians" even though they are so unlike Christ. Mercy would move the polygynist to not lay a heavier burden on the weak than they can bear, not wanting their liberty to cause their weak brethren to fall into sin. Compassion would move the polygynists to be sensitive to the weakness and doubts of the weak saints. Obviously the polygynist would not be an official leader in the church and would not be visiting local churches as a leader/elder/deacon/ bishop/ overseer/etc.>79 . Ideally the local saints would be bearing the fruits of the Spirit and receive such foreign visitors with mercy and compassion. If they agreed and were able>80 for a short while to be separated, the polygynist could visit the Western church bringing one or none of his wives so as to reduce the controversy. The same would be true of a polygynist wife visiting the West without her husband, under the rule of 1 Cor. 7:4,5. [Footnote: >79 (1 Tim. 3 and Ti. 1). >80 (1 Cor. 7:5)] MKJV 1 CORINTH. 7: 4 ÒThe wife does not have authority over [her] own body, but the husband. And likewise also the husband does not have power [over his] own body, but the wife. 5 Do not deprive one another, unless [it is] with consent for a time, so that you may [give yourselves to] fasting and prayer. And come together again so that Satan does not tempt you for your incontinence.Ó 3. POSSIBLE POLYGYNOUS UNION/BONDING COVENANTS/CONTRACTS (Adapted from Divorce & Polygyny) APPENDIX THREE: Marriage by covenant. If you have decided that Mat. 5:33-37, James 4:13-17 and James 5;12 don't allow you to use the traditional wedding vows and covenants because they involve swearing and/or oaths (SEE APPENDIX SEVEN) and you are considering a polygynous wedding, then you might be interested in using and adapting the following to your own needs. Also these covenants are suitable for legal weddings, common law weddings, and a wedding in concubinage. Make sure that you carefully avoid violating any Federal, state or local laws in the event of a polygynous wedding. Jail is a lousy honeymoon. A UNION (WEDDING) AFFIRMATION********************** (Your name), will you have this (man, woman) to be your (mate,lover, intimate companion) and will you , before God and these witnesses, solemnly affirm and declare your intentions and expectations in this union to (him, her), in all honor and love, in all service and duty, in all faith and tenderness, to live with (him, her), to comfort, keep (him/her), and cherish (him/her), according to the ordinance of God, in the holy bond of marital chastity? (Answer, "I do" or "Yes"). I, (your name), take you, (the other's name), to be my own (mate, lover, intimate companion, beloved, etc.); and I do solemnly affirm and declare before God and these witnesses that I intend and expect to be your own loving and faithful (mate, lover, intimate companion, beloved, etc.) to love and to cherish each other; in plenty and in want; in joy and grief; in health and infirmity; as long as we both shall live. All that I own and have is now ours. In token of our solemn affirmations and declarations, with this ring I become your own (mate, lover, intimate companion, beloved, etc.); in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit who lives and abides in us. Amen (both repeat in unison) I now pronounce you one, bound and covenanted together for life before God and these witnesses. Do you have something to declare to us? (in unison) We covenant before God and all of you present, that we are bound together to be one flesh in the Lord until death part us. We covenant before God that it is our responsibility to compassionately cherish each other according to His Word, the Holy Bible, to His glory and honor. Pray for us. _________________________ The Couple's Signatures and Date ______________________________ ______________________________ The Witnesses' Signatures & Date ANOTHER UNION/BONDING AFFIRMATION/COVENANT _________, do you accept and acknowledge _______ as your own (mate, lover, intimate companion, beloved, etc.)? Yes, I do! > Do you accept your responsibility to be faithful to him, in all virtue and honor, in all duty and service, in all faithfulness and tenderness, to live with him and compassionately cherish him according to the Word of God, in the holy bond of these your covenants? Yes, I do! > Do you accept your responsibility to be faithful to him, not having any other lover, not leaving him for another lover; and not dismissing, releasing or repudiating him as your own (mate, lover, intimate companion, beloved, etc.)? Yes, I do! > Do you accept your responsibility to not separate from him, be separated from him, leave him, or put yourself apart from him unless it is to be alone and celibate with the hope reconciliation? Yes, I do! > Do you leave your parents and loyally bond with him to be one in this your union, submitting to each other in reverence to God? Yes, I do! > ______, do you commit yourself to _______ with all your heart, to follow _______'s lead, as unto the Lord, in all matters showing honor and respect? Yes, I do! ______, do you accept and acknowledge _______ as your own (mate, lover, intimate companion, beloved, etc.)? Yes/I do! > Do you accept your responsibility to be faithful to her, in all virtue and honor, in all duty and service, in all faithfulness and tenderness, to live with her and compassionately cherish her according to the Word of God, in the holy bond of these your covenants? Yes/I do! > Do you accept your responsibility to be faithful to her, not leaving her for another lover; not sending or puting her away, not maritally dismissing , releasing or repudiating her? Yes, I do! > Do you accept your responsibility to be faithful to her, not separating yourself from her, not allowing yourselves to be separated, not leaving or depart from her, not putting her apart from you? Yes, I do! > Do you accept your responsibility to be faithful to her, not sending her away, not asking her to go away or leave, not releasing her from your covenants or leaving her? Yes, I do! > Do you leave your parents and loyally bond with her to be one in the union of these covenants, submitting to each other in reverence to God? Yes/I do! > _____, do you commit yourself to her with all your heart to live wisely with her; respectfully, compassionately and sacrificially cherishing her, feeding her the Word, taking care of her and leading her by your example? Yes/I do! With God's enabling and leading it is our solemn desire and intent to > lovingly cherish each other in good times and bad times > unselfishly cherish each other in all conditions and under all circumstances > sincerely show honor and respect always to each other > keep our covenanted union pure, free from adultery and fornication > do everything in our power to be to each other what each of us needs SO HELP US GOD! I, __________, make a covenant with you, __________, this day. I take you as my own (mate, lover, intimate companion, beloved, etc.) before God and these witnesses. I acknowledge my fervent desire and responsibility to faithfully cherish you as my own (mate, lover, intimate companion, beloved, etc.), to love you and honor you in plenty and in want, in joy and in sorrow, in sickness and in health, all the days of my life. I make this covenant, not boasting of or counting on my own ability to keep it, but trusting in God for His Spirit's enabling and motivating, and His gift of length of days to honor Him in the keeping of this covenant. I, _________, make a covenant with you, __________, this day. I take you as my own (mate, lover, intimate companion, beloved, etc.) before God and these witnesses. I acknowledge my fervent desire and responsibility to faithfully cherish you as my own (mate, lover, intimate companion, beloved, etc.), to love you and honor you in plenty and in want, in joy and in sorrow, in sickness and in health, all the days of my life. I make this covenant not boasting of or trusting in my own ability to keep it, but trusting in God for His Spirit's enabling and motivating, and His gift of length of days to honor Him in the keeping of this covenant. _______________________________ The Couple's Signatures and Date Witnessed by God and ______________________________ The Witnesses' Signatures & Date FYI----------FYI--------FYI-----------FYI-------------FYI--------------FYI These files are designed for (1) those who want to learn how to unselfishly and compassionately cherish their women; (2) those who have experienced divorce,to any degree, and are looking for Godly and Biblical Judeo-Christian solutions and guidance on how to see God redeem the experience; (3) those who are in, or considering, polygynous relationships; (4) those who came to the Lord as concubines and want to understand godly and Christian concubinage; (5) those Black and minority believers who want reassurance that indeed their color, their race, their nationality and/or their appearance -- has no significant impact or affect on their relationship with the incarnated, crucified, risen and soon to return Lord Jesus Christ, the Messiah of Israel; (6) those who wish a deeper understanding of God's will for and in their sexuality and any problems they might be having with their sexuality; and for (7) those who want more insight in joining Jesus and His angels in their warfare against the evil spiritual beings who are causing problems for mankind, including our loved ones. The following files are available as described below. Please request any that seem interesting or of use to you. All constructive and informative comments are welcome. >>>>>>>>>>>>>TITLES OF THE FILES AVAILABLE >>1. HUSBAND RULE OVER THE WIFE? Roles and relationships >>2. INFORMAL MARRIAGE, COMMON LAW MARRIAGE >>3.INTERRACIAL,INTERETHNIC MARRIAGES AND RELATIONSHIPS >>4. JESUS, IS HE GOD, JEHOVAH, THE SON OF GOD >>5. OATHS, FORMAL SWEARINGS, SOLEMN PROMISES >>6. THE POWER FOR GOOD OF FEMININE BEAUTY >>7. RACISIM, ETHNOCENTRISM, NATIONALISM VS JESUS >>8. UNDERAGE BURNING--THE FINANCIALLY DEPENDENT WHO ARE NOT SUCCESSFULLY CONTROLLING THEMSELVES SEXUALLY >>9. UNEQUAL YOKE? Marital conflict due to spiritual differences. >>10. Why the Christian Woman Has Only One Husband? >>11. WHEN DO I HAVE TO MARRY, IN JESUS, AND WITH WHOM? >>12. Angels, Demons, Spirits and You Today. >>13. Biblical Sexual Morality, Pornography, etc. >>14. The Black Family Crisis, and the Plight of the Black Female. >>15. The Tithe and the Christian. >>16. A Manual of Marital Intimacy for My Daughters. >>17. Why Do The Godly/Good Suffer? >>18. Divorce/Abandonment, How Can a Follower of Christ Survive It? >>19. Keeping one's word. Vows, promises, covenants, oaths etc. >>20. Matchmaker Resources for those seeking marriage. >>21. Cherish Your Women, Part 1 >>22. Should prisoners be denied wholesome godly marital sex? >>23. Mini.poly: A condensed look at polygyny in the scriputes >>24. Quotes on Polygyny by St. Augustine and Biblical Scholars >>25.DIVORCE, REMARRIAGE, CONCUBINES, GENUINE BELIEVERS >>26. POLYGYNOUS CHRISTIANS AND CHRITIAN CONCUBINES >>27. Why Would the Christian Woman Share Her Husband? >>28. What are the Christian leaders' objections to polygyny? >>29. Wedding Vows? No! Wedding Covenants? Yes! >>30. Is polygyny a Christian option today? >>31. What are the "keys" to living together in Loving unity? >>32. MY LOVE IS A GARDEN OF DELIGHTS! aka SongOfSolomonPt1.txt, a 301k commentary on the Song of Solomon and his black-as-a-raven Shulamite. >>33. Prayers of Spiritual warfare for those who want to join the fight for the souls of their loved ones. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>A FULLER DESCRIPTION OF THE FILES >>1. HUSBAND RULE OVER THE WIFE? WHICH CAVE DID YOU CRAWL OUT OF? [ Available by URL in Etext Archives at http://www.etext.info or ftp by gopher.etext.info in /pub/Religious.texts/polyamory as"husbandwiferelations.txt" OR by email] >>2. INFORMAL MARRIAGE, COMMON LAW MARRIAGE, WHAT MAKES A WEDDING? [ Available by URL in Etext Archives at http://www.etext.info or ftp by gopher.etext.info in /pub/Religious.texts/polyamory as "commonlaw.informal.marriage", or by email. See below] >>3.INTERRACIAL,INTERETHNIC MARRIAGES AND RELATIONSHIPS IN JESUS Race and ethnicity have no place signicantly influencing human interpersonal relationships.["interracial=ethnic.marriage" Available by URL in Etext Archives at http:// www.etext.info or ftp by gopher.etext.info in //pub/Religious.texts/polyamory as "interracial=ethnic marriage", or by email. >>4. JESUS, IS HE GOD, JEHOVAH, THE SON OF GOD, THE SON OF MAN, THE ONLY WAY TO GOD? Jesus and the Trinity.[Available only by emial] >>5. OATHS, FORMAL SWEARINGS, SOLEMN PROMISES, COVENANTS AND JESUS Mat. 5:33-37 (swear not all) and James 4:13-17 with James 5:12 (do not swear). [Available by email, or ftp as an appendix of a larger file; or by URL in Etext Archives at http:// www.etext.info or ftp by gopher.etext.info in //pub/Religious.texts/polyamory as "keepingOne'sWord.txt"] >>6. THE POWER FOR GOOD OF FEMININE BEAUTY AND MALE HANDSOMENESS. We are stewards of these socially significant gifts. [Available by URL in Etext Archives at http:// www.etext.info or ftp by gopher.etext.info in //pub/Religious.texts/polyamory as "feml.power.poly", or by email. See below] >>7. RACISIM, ETHNOCENTRISM, NATIONALISM VS JESUS Jesus vs racism, prejudice, bias, discrimination, favoritism, bigotry . [Available by URL in Etext Archives at http:// www.etext.info or ftp by gopher.etext.info in /pub/Religious.texts/polyamory as "racism.nationalism"] >>8. UNDERAGE BURNING--THE FINANCIALLY DEPENDENT WHO ARE NOT SUCCESSFULLY CONTROLLING THEMSELVES SEXUALLY What do I do if I am underage, too young to marry and a financially dependent youth and I keep on blowing it sexually, letting Jesus and myself down by not consistently controlling myself sexually? [Available only by email] >>9. UNEQUAL YOKE??? Do i look like a farmer?? So why shouldn't I marry this unbelieving/unsaved person, or this person who claims to be saved but has a sin problem???? [Available by email or by ftp as an appendix of a large file} >>10. Why the Christian Woman Has Only One Husband. If men practice polygyny, why shouldn't women practice polyandry? [Available by URL in Etext Archives at http:// www.etext.info or ftp by gopher.etext.info in //pub/Religious.texts/polyamory as "polyandry", or by email. See below] >>11. WHEN DO I HAVE TO MARRY, IN JESUS, AND WITH WHOM? [Available by URL in Etext Archives at http:// www.etext.info or ftp by gopher.etext.info in //pub/Religious.texts/polyamory as "WhenToMarry", or by email. See below] >>12. Angels,Demons, Spirits and You Today. [Available by URL in Etext Archives at http:// www.etext.info or ftp by gopher.etext.info in //pub/Religious.texts/polyamory as "YouAndAngels" or by email ] >>13. Biblical Morality, Porn, Sex etc. 118k [Available by URL in Etext Archives at http:// www.etext.info or ftp by gopher.etext.info in //pub/Religious.texts/polyamory as "BiblicalPolyMorality", or by email. See below] >>14. The Black Family Crisis, and the Plight of the Black Female. [Available by URL in Etext Archives at http:// www.etext.info or ftp by gopher.etext.info in /pub/Religious.texts/polyamory as "PlightOfBlkFem_Fam" (newer), or as "BlackFamPoly" (older), or by email. See below] >>15. The Tithe and the Christian. Should we, and why? An indepth Bible study. [Available by email only] >>16. A Manual of Marital Intimacy for My Daughters. Want to help me ? [Available by email only] >>17. Why Do The Godly/Good Suffer? Does it pay to be "good"? Why do the "good" suffer so much, so often? [Available by URL in Etext Archives at http:// www.etext.info or ftp by gopher.etext.info in//pub/Religious.texts/ polyamory as "LetterToFriend" or by email.] >>18. Divorce/Abandonment, How Can a Follower of Christ Survive It? You love Jesus, but you find yourself divorced or abandonned and you want to be married happily in the Lord, what can you do? [Available by URL in Etext Archives at http:// www.etext.info or ftp by gopher.etext.info in //pub/Religious.texts/polyamory as "HowSurviveDivorce" (newer); or "poly.and.divorce" (older), or by email. See below] >>19. Keeping one's word. Vows, promises, covenants, oaths etc. [Available by URL in Etext Archives at http:// www.etext.info or ftp by gopher.etext.info in //pub/Religious.texts/polyamory as "KeepingOne'sWord".] >>20. Matchmaker Resources for those seeking marriage. [Available by URL in Etext Archives at http:// www.etext.info or ftp by gopher.etext.info in //pub/Religious.texts/polyamory >>21. Cherish Your Women, Part 1 Gleanings from Genesis on how to compassionately cherish your women with a self-evaluation check off list. [Available by URL in Etext Archives at http:// www.etext.info or ftp by gopher.etext.info in //pub/Religious.texts/polyamory as "cherish.women", or by email. See below] >>22. Should prisoners be denied wholesome godly marital sex? [Available by URL in Etext Archives at http:// www.etext.info or ftp by gopher.etext.info in //pub/Religious.texts/polyamory as "prisoner.abuse" , or by email. See below] >>23. Mini.poly: A condensed look at polygyny in the scriputes, especially the Old Testament. [Available by URL in Etext Archives at http:// www.etext.info or ftp by gopher.etext.info in //pub/Religious.texts/polyamory as "mini.poly" , or by email , See below] >>24. Quotes on Polygyny by St. Augustine and Biblical Scholars [Available by URL in Etext Archives at http:// www.etext.info or ftp by gopher.etext.info in //pub/Religious.texts/polyamory , or by email as "ChristianPoly". See below] >>25.DIVORCE,REMARRIAGE, CONCUBINES, JESUS AND GENUINE BELIEVERS This is a 500k ASCII text only without linebreaks file that is also available in 12 parts if your computer or email service cannot receive large files. [Available by URL in Etext Archives at http:// www.etext.info or ftp by gopher.etext.info in //pub/Religious.texts/polyamory as "DivorceRemarriageConcubines", or by email. See below] >>26. POLYGYNOUS CHRISTIANS AND CHRITIAN CONCUBINES This is an 240k ASCII text only without linebreaks file that is also available in six parts if your computer cannot receive large files. [Available by URL in Etext Archives at http:// www.etext.info or ftp by gopher.etext.info in /pub/Religious.texts/ polyamory as "PolygamyConcubines" (newer), or as "polygyny.concubines" (older) , or by email. See below] >>27. Why Would the Christian Woman Share Her Husband? [Available by URL in Etext Archives at http:// www.etext.info or ftp by gopher.etext.info in /pub/Religious.texts/polyamory as "why.wife.share.husband" (newer), or as "poly.western.woman" (older), or by email. See below] >>28. What are the Christian leaders' objections to polygyny? Please see some of the main pro's and the con's in this file [Available by URL in Etext Archives at http:// www.etext.info or ftp by gopher.etext.info in /pub/Religious.texts/polyamory as "objections2poly" or by email] >>29. No Wedding Vows! A file offering scriptural reasons for using covenants rather than vows in one's wedding. [Available by URL in Etext Archives at http:// www.etext.info or ftp by gopher.etext.info in /pub/Religious.texts/polyamory as "noweddingvows" or by email] >>30. Is polygyny a Christian option? A discussion of polygyny in the New Testament and in the Protestant reformation. [Available by URL in Etext Archives at http:// www.etext.info or ftp by gopher.etext.info in /pub/Religious.texts/polyamory as "christianpolytoday", or by email] >>31. What are the "keys" to living together in Loving unity? Gleanings from Amy Carmichael and the Bible on what it takes for a family or fellowship to realize this miracle. [Available by URL in Etext Archives at http:// www.etext.info or ftp by gopher.etext.info in /pub/Religious.texts/polyamory as "keys2lovingunity", or by email] >>32. MY LOVE IS A GARDEN OF DELIGHTS! aka SongOfSolomonPt1.txt, a 301k commentary on the Song of Solomon, interracial marriage (his black-as-a-raven wife), and Christian polygyny and concubines. [Available by URL in Etext Archives at http:// www.etext.info; or ftp by gopher.etext.info in /pub/Religious.texts/polyamory as "SongOfSolomonPt1.txt", or by email] >>33. Prayers4LuvdOnes: Spiritual warfare for those who want to join the fight for the souls of their loved ones. These are the prayers of the Bible, inspired prayers of God's servants, adapted to the needs and spiritual warfare you encounter as a servant of Christ in your service to your loved ones and to Christ today. If you want any of these files, Etext Archives : URL: http://www.etext.info Location : /pub/Religious.texts/polyamory or ftp: "gopher.etext.info" Name: "ftp" Password: your email address Location: /pub/Religious.texts/polyamory If you have any problems with the URL or the ftp, contact ftp@etext.info or Rita@etext.info. or L. Tyler, P.O.Box 620763, San Diego, CA 92162-0763 or L. Tyler P.O. Box 734, El Centro,CA 92244 oldservant@delphi.com Lovenchosen@hotmail.com OTHER RESOURCES Use WebCrawler etc. to find "Christian Polygamy" on the Webb. Use your gopherf or :ftp.gopher.etext.info/pub/Religious.texts/Polyamory http://www.netcom.com/%7Epolyg/index.html email: polyg@ix.netcom.com (J.B. David, M.Div.); http://www.netcom.com/~polyg/index.html C. Warren, Pastor, B'rit Chadashah, cwarren@sn.no (C. Warren), http://home.sn.no/~cwarren Broken Shackles, Inc. (S.J.Butt),P. O. Box 41, S. Windham, ME 04082; ht@bfree.org ( S. Butt), http://bfree.org 101733.613@compuserve.com (S. Chapman) http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/Hezekiah/polyga my.html http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/Hezekiah/Biblpoly.ht m http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/Hezekiah/Poly- pos.htm http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/Hezekiah/Polylink.ht m