As you have not denied that the FAQ has been using statistics in a very dishonest/ignorant way, I trust you will no longer recommend that site.
Hello Herostratos,
Why? How is a husband taking care of more women disrespectful? No one is forcing women to become someone's second wife and if they don't want their husband to have a second wife they can stipulate that condition in the marriage contract.
The point I tried to make - although I admit it was a little unclear - was this: Polygamy is practical in countries where women are very dependent on a husband to survive, and where women does not have enough independency to demand that the male shall devote himself to her. Typically because most other men are poor, I'd guess. These countries are typically poor and uncivilized. Civilized cultures will inevitably become so rich that women can demand monogamy.
But marriage is not personal, it is a public affair regulated by the government in most western countries which requires a marital contract. Cohabitation and marriage are not the same.
From dictionary.com:
1. Of, concerning, or affecting the community or the people: the public good.
2. Maintained for or used by the people or community: a public park.
3. Capitalized in shares of stock that can be traded on the open market: a public company.
4. Participated in or attended by the people or community: “Opinions are formed in a process of open discussion and public debate” (Hannah Arendt).
5. Connected with or acting on behalf of the people, community, or government: public office.
6. Enrolled in or attending a public school: transit passes for public students.
7. Open to the knowledge or judgment of all: a public scandal.
No, a marriage is none of the above
There is nothing wrong with polygamy so long as the man ensures that he is fair in his treatment of his wives and takes good care of all of them. The more wives, the harder this becomes and the less likely someone will be able to maintain such relationships so the Qur'an has restricted it to 4.
There is no logic behind this. Some men must be able to deal fairly with more than 4 women, right? Why restrict those at all, if marrying and taking care of many women are a good thing?
Or, if you have to restrict the upper limit because some people will abuse it, why have a limit of 4 at all?
If there is no interest in having a family, then why the need to marry? A polygynous family can actually function as a family, while a polyandrous one cannot.
I were not talking about not having children, I were talking about having a limited number of them. Say, each man got two each, not unnormal for an industrialized country, and the women will then give birth to four children, which is certainly not unusual in many muslem countries.
And exactly why is it that such a family cannot function as one?
Women are not like men. Men do not get pregnant or have monthly cycles while women do, which will naturally affect their ability to sustain their relationships with multiple husbands. A man can visit each wife every day because their state and condition remains the same.
Are you serious? Your objection against polyandry is that the men in question would not get their desires satisfied??? What if the men in question simply accepts to not get to "visit" their wifes so often?
Simply because it cannot function as a productive family and it would end up causing harm.
Why?
