A recent Gallup poll shows growing support for polygamy in America. From 2006 to 2015 support for multiple marriage partners has jumped from 6 to 14 percent as more people think we should be able to marry whoever we want and however many we want — it is our right.

In writing his dissent of the recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling legalizing same-sex marriage across America, Chief Justice John Roberts warned that by changing the fundamental definition of marriage, the justices had opened the door to redefining other vital components of matrimony.

“It is striking how much of the majority’s reasoning would apply with equal force to the claim of a fundamental right to plural marriage,” the chief justice said.

In the future, one could imagine that those who oppose polygamy will be labeled bigots and accused of fanning flames of hatred. The dispute, however, isn’t really about bigotry but about the definition of marriage, which has long been understood as a partnership between a man and a woman, requiring sexual exclusivity and oriented to the birthing and rearing of children, even if children do not always result.

Polygamists, though, maintain that it makes no difference how many fathers or mothers comprise a family, so long as children are loved. But children are harmed because they are often set in perennial rivalry with other children and mothers for the affection and attention of the family patriarch. They are deprived of healthy models of authority and liberty, equality and charity, marital love and fidelity, which are essential to their development as future spouses, citizens and community leaders. There is a confusion about who is really caring for them, which mom or which dad. Ultimately if we believe in the definition of family which has one father and one mother then anything that opposes this God-created reality will negatively affect a child’s development.

Some may point out that the number of American polygamists is so small that changing the law won’t impact the wider culture or the vast majority who support traditional marriage.

So what real difference does it make when a society redefines marriage to fit a new cultural norm? Well it certainly impacts what is taught in schools and promoted and enforced by law.

One could imagine the day when vocal opposition to polygamy could result in legal penalties, including fines and even imprisonment just like we are now seeing happening to people whose faith affirms that marriage can only be between one man and one woman. The answer is to continue to affirm traditional beliefs about marriage and promote the conception of marriage that is best for society, children and married couples.

Ultimately marriage is not a private or even religious matter, nor is it a right to be won by the courts. In truth, marriage should be seen in its fundamental definition and purpose — which brings great benefits to society.

In this light it is the duty of the state to protect but not redefine marriage for it is not created by either the church or the state and neither has the right to change it.

Any government wishing to overturn the fundamental institution of marriage as the union of one man and one woman in lifelong unity to protect and promote the nurturing of children should not be surprised if it receives an impassioned response from society. But will it? This depends on us. The threat to marriage is real. (Re-posted with permission, “Here’s What’s Next up in America’s Experiment With Marriage” originally appeared HERE)

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