Another Example of Blaming Polygamy Instead of Abuse

Two letters were published in response to an article “B.C. court to decide whether polygamy protected by religious freedoms,” Nov. 22

Jancis M. Andrews, Sechelt, B.C….

The real issue here is not an ancient patriarchal practice that treats women as chattels and sexual collectibles, but whether the B.C. Supreme Court will uphold sections 15 and 28 of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms that guarantee women equality with men. That is the issue in a nutshell, no more, no less.

Gender equality is essential to full marriage equality.

Polygamy comes to us from the dark ages, and there is ample evidence that the practice harms women and children and reduces women to second-class citizenship. It is more than past time that it was dumped into the garbage can of history, where it belongs.

Polygamy is as old as sex. There is no evidence that polygamy harms women and children. What harms women and children is inequality, abuse, and a lack of choice, whether or not there is polygyny in cultures that condone or encourage such things.

With full marriage equality, men and women would be free to choose their spouses. If a woman chooses to be one of several wives with one husband, that would be her choice, as it would be if she chose to have several husbands.

James Knott, Mississauga…

Why is the question even being raised? All Canadians should be subject to the same laws, regardless of religious beliefs.

I agree. All Canadians (and people in the rest of the world) should have the freedom to marry the person or person(s) they love, regardless of religion, race, gender, relation, or age, as long as they are consenting adults.