The Dr. Keith Ablow Show - Thursday Sept. 28 - Inside the Lives of a Polygamist Family

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Is Polygamy Acceptable? - Some comments from the blog

A few weeks ago, Dr. Keith did a show on polygamist families and talked with several wives who share the same husband. He also met with some children who were raised in this environment. These families were genuinely loving and respectful toward each other. On a newer show, however, Dr. Keith exposed the darker side of polygamy. He reached out to several people who see polygamy as a cult and felt the need to escape that environment. Do you see polygamy as a cult or a unique family structure?

Posted by Admin on October 18, 2006 10:27 AM | Permalink
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Comments

I just wanted to make a correction on a comment made by one of your guests. The young girl and her mother that escaped the polygamist lifestyle had made the statement that the LDS church believes in the concept of polygamy. The LDS church does NOT believe in this, and as a member, I am deeply offended that someone with little knowledge of MY religion would publically make a false statement and bruise the reputation of my church. Comments like that also insult my intelligence. I would never approve of, or participate in such a practice, nor is it accepted in our church. Your show is very informative, however, it would be nice for Dr. Ablow to follow up on debatable comments such as this with the truth. Thank you.
Kim Ellis

Posted by: Kim | October 19, 2006 01:21 PM

It's a unique family structure. As with any alternative lifestyle it depends on the person to make it work correctly. If it turns out bad - it's because there was a flaw in the person and not in the structure itself. There are just as many "dark sides" to traditional relationships too.

Posted by: Pat | October 19, 2006 01:01 PM

I didn't see the first Polygamy show, but did see the one where the darker side was shown. The show portrayed polygamy as a cult, and so I saw it as that.

Dr. Keith, you have a good show in general, but I think it could be made better if you gave your guests more than the 15-20 minutes, to dig a little deeper. I was curious what happened to these people after they left polygamy....how they dealt with life....how they coped.

The bravery of these people was very apparent. My heart especially went out to the gentleman on the show. I wouldn't be surprised to hear about that situation again.....but in that he took his little girl far far away from that nonsense, for good. I could see it in his eyes. I would do the same thing most probably.

Thanks for the show, Dr. Keith. You're the only reason I turn on the idiot box, I mean tv.

Kess

Posted by: Kess | October 19, 2006 07:22 AM

Dr Keith,

My wife and I enjoy your show! I did have one concern with "Is Polygamy Acceptable". It seemed to me that the slant you took on the topic appeared to cast a "weirdo" shadow on all religions. I am a religious person, and I think the idea of polygamy is absolutely wrong. My religion teaches ONE man for ONE wife for ONE lifetime!! Practicing polygamy, or forcing someone else to live a life of polygamy is unacceptable. Perhaps you could make statements to your viewers like, “Not all religions practice polygamy” or simply specify the religious identification of the guilty party. This approach would give a much more truthful perspective to your viewers. Thanks for your time. Love your show!

Daniel

Posted by: Daniel | October 19, 2006 05:43 AM

Hi Dr. Keith
You recently hosted a show on polygamy, and I know you mentioned the fact that it was banned from the Mormon church, but it doesn't seem like that really got through. I guess the reason it seems that way is because the young lady you were talking to said that we still believe in the principle. I'd just like to set things.... the Mormons and the Fundamentalist Mormons are two seperate groups and are no way affiliated with each other. The Mormons do not in any way believe that polygamy is a righteous act, and never will. It was banned from the church over a hundred years ago and will stay banned, we do not believe or practice polygamy. I think the world gets the Mormons and the Fund mormons confused a whole lot, and with as many people who watch your show, you could do so much good in helping to stop the confusion. Next time you do a show on Polygamy, if you could make it clear that it's the fundamentalists you are talking about... and that it has no affiliation with the mormon church whatsoever....so many viewers, including myself, would greatly appreciate it. I know you probably got many letters on this topic so I want to say thank you for putting up with this and being understanding. Thanks Dr Keith!

Posted by: Dawn | October 18, 2006 09:18 PM

In response to Mormons who hastily pointed out the fact the the LDS church does not condone the practice of polygamy, I felt the need to write. Having been raised in the LDS church and believing its "gospel" until the age of 28, I know that the church's official stance on polygamy is one of nonacceptance. Those Mormons out there who are honest, however, must admit to discussing amongst themselves the fact of polygamy's existence in the afterlife (Celestial Kingdom).

Mormonism's leaders object to polygamy now because the church places a high value on its reputation. By their fruits you shall know them, etc. Polygamy is illegal; therefore most people think of it as bad fruit. That means that the church must disavow polygamy in order to proselytize effectively. People who are open about their belief in polygamy as a valid way of life are damaging to the church's desired reputation as a mainstream religion, so Mormons have been taught to quickly dispel any notion that the Church approves of polygamy.

Posted by: Lori | October 18, 2006 04:21 PM

I am not saying it is right or wrong but I was raised to believe that as long as the person is ok with the way they are living there life then to leave them alone as long as it is not being pushed on me. Plus I don't see how it is different then two men or two women living together and husband and wife.

Posted by: karen | October 18, 2006 02:53 PM

I am watching your show right now, and i'm so extremely upset that Robbie's daughter is being subjected to a polygamist lifestyle. In my opinion this lifestyle is a CULT. I know that everyone believes in God in their own ways, but when they are teaching children it's wrong to believe anything other than what they are told, this is WRONG! I wish Robbie the best. I hope that he could get a better lawyer and a judge who knows better! I think Robbie should have FULL custody of his daughter until his ex wife realizes what type of situation she's putting her daughter through.

Posted by: Wendy | October 18, 2006 01:36 PM

Dr. Keith,

Please let the young man with the 5 year old daughter and the disturbed x-wife know that the "heavenly father" she speaks of is not THE Heavenly Father. Read your Bible sir and fight this with Truth from the same Bible they get their lies from through twisting the Word. I can't imagine my little one being in such a scary situation. My prayer is that you (the daddy) will find the truth in the Bible and equip your baby girl and yourself with that! You are a good man and a beautiful father. Don't give up. Know that you have shared your story thousands of Christians will pray for you and your baby girl. I will also pray for your x-wife who lives in a house of lies. Stay strong! Rebekah

Posted by: Rebekah | October 18, 2006 01:35 PM