patton+deviance

Religious Deviance (Polygamy)

Although the United States has formally accepted the freedom of religion for its citizens, many forms of religion are still seen as deviant. For example, there are many religions such as the Catholic, Baptist, Methodist, (and other Christian faiths), and Middle Eastern religions such as Buddhism, Islam and Muslim, and Hinduism that are generally accepted in most areas in the U.S., while other "religions" such as the Mormon faith are more controversial. The Mormons are, by definition, a cult that believe in some controversial issues (such as polygamy) that most people would consider deviant because of the "open" way they express their beliefs. They generally do not hide that they may or may not have multiple brides or husbands because they believe that what they are doing is "right." Perhaps the most deviant belief that the Mormons hold is that their plural spouses may be of an age that most Americans would find offensive, considering that some of the wives in these situations have been found to be as young as (or younger than) the age of thirteen. While some Mormons believe that polygamy is a normal activity that is followed throughout most of nature, others believe that they simply have the right to multiple spouses because they are following their religion, and that the age of the spouse doesn't really matter in the "grand scheme of things" because they aren't doing anything wrong. They feel that this practice isn't wrong because they don't just marry for sex with younger (and younger and younger) "women," they marry for a commitment that both parties understand, (even though the young spouses are barely recognized as adolescents or adults in our society, and that they are committing a crime when the act takes place). And, while they may have successful relationships with more than one spouse, the time split between those spouses for the "main" husband or wife may have the same average as a couple who has been together for four years and then divorced, and because of this, people don't see how their relationships or marriages have been more successful. In any case, polygamy is considered a majorly deviant act by the majority of society, and most believe the act should be ended indefinatley.

Plural Spouses of Brigham Young

Polygamy Porter by Wastach Brewery asks the timeless question: "Why Have Just One?" []