Sister Wives: Disgust to acceptance

By: American Decency Staff

Last week secular media loudly touted a Pew survey report claiming that marriage is becoming obsolete. A report on MSNBC stated:  “…A study by the Pew Research Center highlights rapidly changing notions of the American family. And the Census Bureau, too, is planning to incorporate broader definitions of family … … When asked what constitutes a family, the vast majority of Americans agree that a married couple, with or without children, fits that description. But four of five surveyed pointed also to an unmarried, opposite-sex couple with children or a single parent. Three out of five people said a same-sex couple with children is a family.  … … Andrew Cherlin, a professor of sociology and public policy at Johns Hopkins University (stated), "Now there are several ways to have a successful family life, and more people accept them.  … People are rethinking what family means," Cherlin said. …â€Â While MSNBC may refer to the definition of family as a “notion,â€Â the truth is that marriage and family were defined by an unchanging God.  Post modern secularists don’t want to hear that.  So while somewhere is the depths of their consciences they know the truth – for God’s law is written on the heart of all mankind – they leap for joy when the secular world validates their darkened thinking. It brings to mind 2 Timothy 4:3-4:  “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.â€Â And that, I believe, is why the show “Sister Wivesâ€Â on the cable channel TLC hasn’t received criticism by the media elites, but rather glowing acclaim and high ratings.  In case you missed one of our earlier articles, “Sister Wivesâ€Â is a reality show highlighting a modern-day polygamist family living in Utah.  (For more information see:  https://americandecency.org/archives/a-wolf-in-sheep-clothing/) Last night TLC aired a “Honeymoon Specialâ€Â focusing on the honeymoon of polygamist husband Kody and his fourth wife.  The show ping-pongs back and forth from showing Kody and fourth wife Robin on a romantic honeymoon, to the other three wives and 16 children back home.  The other wives are trying very hard not to appear jealous of the fact that their shared “husbandâ€Â is off with another woman. As I monitored this, I was overcome with the “ick factorâ€Â of it all.  Stop a moment to think about sending your spouse off for a honeymoon with another.  It is unnatural and repulsive!  Yet here were these three women claiming their jealousy and anger is “illogicalâ€Â and “irrational.â€ÂÂ  Instead, one stated “I love to know that he’s loving his other wives because that means he’ll love me to.â€Â Through the episode polygamy is blatantly propagandized.  Kody claims man is a natural polygamist  (he makes this claim after viewing animals in a zoo that mate with multiple females).  One wife states their lifestyle is a “beautiful blessing,â€Â while another claims that “God’s involved in all of it.â€Â I began above with the survey claiming the view of marriage and family is being redefined.  And while God is the definer of marriage, “Sister Wivesâ€Â is going a long way to undermine viewers’ perceptions of what marriage is.  The fact that this show is so readily accepted and watched is an indication of where we are at in this culture. I did a quick Google search for “Sister Wives critiqueâ€Â and found virtually no criticism of the fact that “Sister Wivesâ€Â is espousing such a warped and morally wrong concept.  Instead I found, as just one example, this blogger’s take: “Since recapping the shows the past few weeks, I've talked with a lot of people about the Sister Wives phenomenon. Everybody seems to have a similar progression of disgust-curiosity-entertainment-acceptance-critique. After watching the show, it's hard to argue that these women aren't happy and getting positive benefits from polygamy. … hey, this is how their faith dictates it works, and this is how they elected to raise their family.â€Â As people are inundated with a mantra of “tolerance and acceptanceâ€Â of any and all lifestyles, they obviously lose their capacity to distinguish between right and wrong.  Notice the blogger above claiming she (and others) were initially disgusted, but then came to accept polygamy from watching “Sister Wives.â€ÂÂ Â  This is how we get to the point where a survey can claim that the definition of marriage and family can change with the cultural winds. And that is why we each need to speak out within the culture and our sphere of influence.  Our voice is needed!  Even though it may seem as if we are in a minority, God calls us to stand for His principles.  God has turned the tide in cultures before, and He can do it again.  Perhaps He will use the influence we each have with those around us to change the beliefs and thinking of our nation one person at a time. For, while the study above boldly claimed marriage is becoming obsolete, buried in the survey was also this information: “… Despite a growing view that marriage may not be necessary, 67 percent of Americans are upbeat about the future of marriage and family. That's higher than their optimism for the nation's educational system (50 percent), economy (46 percent) or its morals and ethics (41 percent). “And about half of all currently unmarried adults, 46 percent, say they want to get married. Among those unmarried who are living with a partner, the share rises to 64 percent.â€Â  http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/40239472/ns/health-behavior Did you note that significant figure – 64% of couples living together, would rather be married.   Another evidence that God’s law is written on the hearts of all.  We just need to reach them with the Truth! One way of doing so is to oppose the lies of “Sister Wives.â€ÂÂ  You can do so in part by contacting the advertisers that sponsor the show. Your letters do make a difference!  Most of the companies who advertised on earlier episodes of “Sister Wivesâ€Â and were contacted by many of you our readers, did not advertise last night.  However, Disney, who called us after being “inundatedâ€Â with letters, was back on as an advertiser and needs to hear from you! Take Action! Click below to contact the sponsors of “Sister Wives. https://americandecency.org/take_action_form.php?msg_id=76 =================================== Your support is important to our ability to make a difference. Donate online at: https://secure4.afo.net/ada/donate.php American Decency Association is a member of the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability. American Decency Association Bill Johnson, President P.O. Box 202 Fremont, MI 49412 ph: 231-924-4050 www.americandecency.org http://www.twitter.com/billwjohnson

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