Contributors needed!

Hello everyone. My name is S. Rene Paul, (polywriter) and I am an author living in Ontario, Canada. As most of you are aware, Canada is poised to make serious strides in the movement to decriminalize polygamy and to begin the process of acknowledging the rights of those who choose (key word ‘choose’) to live in a plural marriage.

As a writer, I have been writing about changes to marriage law ever since the debate to alter the current definition of marriage was being challenge by same-sex groups here in Canada. As you are all no doubt aware, our laws were altered to allow same-sex couples to be legally wed. For those of us who maintain that polygyny, as expressed in the Bible, is an acceptable form of familial arrangement, a door has now been opened to publicly discuss what has always been a taboo topic in the church.

I am currently in the process of completing a text whose purpose is to open a dialogue between believers in the church regarding polygamy as HBO’s Big Love has done in the mainstream media. The book looks at each and every scripture that pertains to plurality of wives from both the polygamous and monogamous points of view, and by presenting this information in an honest and fair manner, allows the reader to form their own conclusions.

The text is divided into three parts;
A. A detailed, in-depth look at every single scripture that pertains to or is often used to address the issue of polygamy. Providing the arguments used from all sides, of the debate, this section will not try and persuade anyone to change what they believe; only to present the facts to allow the reader to (we hope) prayerfully deliberate the evidence that has been presented. We are not putting polygamy or monogamy on trial; we are just putting all the information into one convenient, easy to read format. I've also covered the evolution of polygamy as a cultural norm to its current status as a sin.

B. A look at how polygamy has been portrayed in media. Big Love is a blessing and a curse because it often presents an unrealistic view of poly life. Warren Jeffs and FLDS ‘dictators’ have been fodder for newspaper articles and TV documentaries; feeding the public’s insatiable appetite for images and links of real criminals, religious beliefs, and sex. What's real? How did a small sample of the polygamous population become the standard by which polygamy is judged?

C. Why people choose the polygynous life and why it isn’t for everyone. Why do strong, secure and educated women choose to enter into this type of marriage arrangement? Again, the point of this section is not to try and recruit polygamists, but to counter the stereotypes of the uneducated, submissive wives and abused children that have been shown over and over again since the Warren Jeffs arrest. This section also addresses the changes in how society is viewing marriage and family – divorce, adultery, single moms, promiscuity, etc.), and the pros and cons of polygamy as a potential solution.

I am not seeking to prove that one is better than the other or trying to convert people to either side of thinking. (That part comes easy because I honestly don’t believe that one is better than the other.) The main point is to present a complete and unbiased source of information; that way if they still oppose the concept of polygamy, it will not be because they didn’t have all the facts.

Having spent the last two years studying and amassing the factual elements of the text, I would like to now incorporate a human element. To that end, I am asking that anyone who has anything to say (good or bad) about the concept of, the lifestyle of, or the Biblical commandments of polygamous marriage to please contact me so that we can begin a dialogue.

I am particularly interested in the following areas;
 reactions of your family, friends, coworkers and especially your religious organization
 home schooling and working mothers
 what religious organizations or denominations you are a part of
 how you feel polygynous couples have been portrayed in the media
 the effect Big Love has had in whatever areas of your life
 what you could tell the world if you had the chance

I am not interested in nor will I be including any information about the sexual lives of poly families. It’s none of my business, nor is it the concern of our potential readers. What is important is that Christians become aware of what Bible-based polygamy really is, so that as a group, polygamous families can come of hiding in their own churches.

Those who wish to remain anonymous will so remain, while those who wish to be credited either partially or in full (eg. Jane, KY or Jane Smith, KY) will also have their wishes adhered to.

NOTHING GOES TO PRESS WITHOUT THE FULL CONSENT OF ALL CONTRIBUTORS.

You may email me a written submission of your own, or we can organize an opportunity to chat, either on this site or MSN. I am willing to accommodate anyone’s wishes. If you email me for more information, I will gladly provide my personal contact information. I wish to be as open as possible, as this is a part of your life that must be treated with the utmost respect. I also encourage those of you who feel lead to post their comments, anecdotes or feedback (both positive and negative) on this forum.

As well, if anyone has any links to any information about the topic, please send it my way. I’ve put together a pretty hefty collection of articles, web opinions, books, journals and media information, but I’m always on the lookout for more. If I haven’t yet seen it or read it, then I want to, so please refer it to me.

If anyone is interested in providing feedback on sections and drafts, please let me know.

Thanks to everyone for their honesty and participation. A work like this can only proceed as the Lord allows, so your prayers are always welcome. God bless.

poly.writer@hotmail.com