Sister Wives, polygamy, and the ACLU

By: American Decency Staff

Take Action!  Click here to contact the advertisers empowering the promotion of polygamy on “Sister Wives.”

What is the danger of “Sister Wives?”  Why do we continue to oppose it?  Is it a reach to claim that this show is causing people to accept polygamy– just as LGBT forces are doing in regards to same-sex “marriage”?

I wrote the following nearly three years ago during the first season of “Sister Wives.” 

Sunday night the TLC network aired the continuing saga of “Sister Wives,” the reality show documenting the lives of a polygamist family that attempts to portray polygamy as “just like any other American family.” 

Each week as I’ve reviewed this program I’ve felt a plethora of emotions –repulsion, pity, outrage, anger.  Usually outrage tops the list.  I find myself verbally expressing my ire and indignation to the screen, debating their warped justifications for polygamy as they claim how ‘wonderful’ it is.  I get angry as I hear the rationalized statements about their “lifestyle choice,” the attempts to legitimize the notion that ‘marriage can be anything we want it to be.’  And what makes this indoctrination even more dangerous is the fact that the messages are couched by the sweetly portrayed, seemingly carefree family. 

As I stated, those comments above were written nearly three years ago.  As I monitored the most recent episode of “Sister Wives,” I wondered if I have the same outrage as I did when this show premiered.  Have I in any way become “used to” polygamy?

That is the danger of “Sister Wives.”  Getting used to immorality.  Sticking our heads in the sand and tolerating – if not accepting – that which goes against God’s Word and His design.  Thankfully, I can honestly say the show still repulses and angers me, but how about the millions of viewers who watch it for entertainment?  Have their views on polygamy changed as they watch week after week?  As with gay “marriage” will the American people begin to tolerate that which was repugnant not that long ago?

The daughter of another polygamist family recently won a college scholarship from the ACLU (American Civil Liberties Union) for her essay in support of polygamy.

The polygamists’ daughter wrote in her award-winning essay:

“… I believe we deserve civil liberties like everyone else. I have also come through this experience to see how important our constitutional liberties for all Americans whether I agree with them or not.  …

In the same way that there is more tolerance towards the gay and lesbian culture, and other controversial ways of living that are becoming more acceptable–we wish for that same right one day. Those living a polygamous lifestyle are often viewed as abnormal or different, even abusive. All we seek is tolerance. I don’t expect everyone to agree with the polygamous lifestyle, just to allow people the right to have that choice in their life, without fear of persecution or prosecution.  …”

“All we seek is tolerance.”  On the surface it sounds so reasonable.  However “tolerating” sin sounds a lot like those lukewarm Christians which God said He would spew out of His mouth. 

It’s not “persecution” to oppose that which God opposes.  The danger of “Sister Wives” is that it does promote polygamy and in so doing undermines marriage and family as designed by God.

J.C. Ryle, the great 19^th century theologian, wrote:  “Holiness is the habit of being of one mind with God, according as we find His mind described in Scripture. It is the habit of agreeing in God’s judgment – hating what He hates – loving what He loves – and measuring everything in this world by the standard of His Word. He who most entirely agrees with God, he is the most holy man.”

Loving what God loves and hating what he hates makes it pretty clear what our view should be about “tolerating” polygamy.

I don’t know about you, but I desire to strive for holiness – “measuring everything in this world by the standard of His Word.”  I pray I never become complacent and accepting of what God hates – including polygamy.

Please stand with us in holding accountable the corporations empowering the legitimization of polygamy through “Sister Wives.”

Take Action! Click here to send a message to the advertisers listed below.

Sponsor of “Sister Wives” include:

Christian Mingle.com
Hershey’s candy (4 ads – Kit-Kat, Rolo, Hershye Kisses, Simple Pleasures)
Haagen-Daz gelato – Nestle
Purina dog food
Snuggles fabric softener
Hormel – Rev wraps
Angie’s List
Lean Cuisine
Staples
Gilt.com
Disney Pictures
Microsoft Windows
First Response pregnancy test
Lime Away
Tresemme
Geico
Dyson vacuums
LG
Car Max
Care.com
Trivago
Woodbrige Wine
Rid-X
Cortizone 10
20^th Century Fox

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