What is Polyamory?

Polyamory is relationships with multiple mutual consenting partners.

The difference between Polygamy and Polyamory is that the former involves multiple spouses, while the latter still has only one spouse, just multiple partners. Essentially it is a belief in non-monogarmy, engaging in loving, intimate relationship with more than one person with the full consent of all those who are involved.

With the rise of the gay community and various wins in the advancement of gay marriage rights, Polyamory believers are starting to become more bold and the public will slowly have to take notice. Some estimate the polyamourous family count to be more than half a million in the United States alone. There are polyamory events, magazines and groups and the numbers continue to grow.

Where did Polyamory come from?

Polyamory may be shocking to some, but in the same time it isn’t all that surprising. There was a time where anything outside of traditional marriage was considered a taboo, completely rejected by all of society. Then as we shifted into cultural modernism, the more “traditional” forms of religious faith and social organizations were seen as outdated with the rise of the new economic and social conditions in the rapidly industralizing world. As each succeeding cultural thought often does, modernism was a direct reaction to the enlightenment way of thinking. The enlightenment thinking still rooted itself in the existence of a Creator. All sense of morality was anchored in traditional Judeo Christian values. Moral Truth was absolute. With the rise of modernism, this “anchor” slowly lost it’s influence.

Then Modernism soon naturally developed into Post-Modernism. We live in a post modern world where the principles of ethics have slowly changed into subjective morality. Basically there is no anchor. All moral truths are subjective. What matters is what one judges to be true for themselves. Everyone has their own idea of what is right and wrong and we should be tolerant of their ideas.

“If I believe this to be true, who are you to judge?”
“If they are happy with it, you should leave them alone.”
“We must be tolerant of all ideas.”

Marriage being Redefined by Culture

Post-Modernism has allowed people, basically to live as they like. If they truly believe something to be true and right, then it has become taboo for anyone to take that away from them. Think about how politicians have to balance out what they say and never fully take sides just to appease all parties. No one has the authority anymore to directly say something is right or wrong.

Definition of Tolerance

“Tolerance” used to mean being tolerant of people. Respecting people despite differences in opinion. However there was still the understanding that there is moral truth. There is a objective standard of right and wrong that we are all held to. “Tolerance” has now encompassed the idea of tolerating ideas. Even the other person believes it is right for them, then we must be “tolerant”.

So doesn’t it make logical sense that the definition of marriages is a source of debate in our current post-modern world? What was once a clearly defined by the Judeo Christian faith as an husband and wife relationship now is being defined as anyone sees fit. Without the “anchor” or objective truth, it is no surprise that different groups are redefining marriage as an social construct that can involves two people of the same gender, or multiple spouses, or in this case, expand the rules of marriage to include external relationships.

Ever Changing Definition of Marriage in a Post Modern World

Husband and Wife? Husband and multiple wives? Group marriages? Marriages between relatives? Marriage between father and daughter? Brother and sister? Sounds outrageous, but when we carry out the belief that truth is subjective, who is to say this is wrong?

Full Reference

• What are your reactions to Polyamory Relationships?
• Do you think it is right or wrong?
• Do you think you have the right to say it is right or wrong?
• Do you think our culture is heading in the right or wrong direction in post-modernism?

Summary: The members of this church in berkeley created a video collage of the various community services they are involved in. They went out during valentines to convalescent homes & women shelters in the bay area to show love to those who need it most. They also have an Impact Program mentoring and loving the underprivileged kids in Oakland. This video shows pictures of their volunteer work laid on top of Matt Redman’s “I Will Offer Up My Life.”

Quality: 9

Message: Offer one’s life to loving others. To give one’s life to a greater purpose. In this case ‘God’s work’ of loving others with all we have.

Comments: It is quite an inspiring video. Makes me want to go do some good! They have a couple other videos to note. See links below. They also have Podcast Messages that goes with them if you are interested. Quite an eloquent speaker. Have to scroll down to find the pause messages.

“Pause Series Videos – Idle Guy“

“More than Body“.

Who: Gracepoint Fellowship Church is a multi-ethnic and Asian-American church serving the Berkeley, Oakland and San Francisco communities with ministries for working professionals, singles, couples, college students, youth, and children. (straight from their homepage). The Church is led by Pastor Ed Kang & Kelly Kang