In many religions, including Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Hinduism, Buddhism, Shintoism, Taoism, Confucianism, Zoroastrianism, Wicca, Native American traditions, African traditional religion, Norse mythology, and Greek mythology, polyamory has been viewed as immoral, unethical, and taboo. In these cultures, marriage is understood to be between one man and one woman for life, and any deviation from this norm is seen as a violation of religious law.
In Christianity, polyamory is considered a sin because it goes against the Bible's teachings on monogamy and fidelity. The concept of "one flesh" is central to the idea that marriage should be between one man and one woman for life, and anything else is seen as sexual immorality.
Many Christians believe that polygamy, which is the practice of having multiple wives or husbands simultaneously, is prohibited in the Bible. Similarly, in Islam, the Quran clearly states that men are allowed to have up to four wives, but any more than that is forbidden. Monogamy is also emphasized in Jewish tradition, with marriages being viewed as sacred and permanent. In Hinduism, marriage is often seen as a holy union between two people who are spiritually connected, and adultery is strictly forbidden. In Buddhism, celibacy is encouraged, although some schools allow limited forms of consensual sex within marriage.
Some religions do not explicitly condemn polyamorous relationships.
In Shintoism, there is no moral code governing human behavior, so polyamory is not addressed specifically. Taoism also does not have strict rules regarding sexual ethics, and Confucianism places an emphasis on harmony and mutual respect in all relationships, including romantic ones. Wicca views relationships as fluid and flexible, and as long as everyone involved gives their consent, there are no moral issues with polyamory. Native American traditions also tend to focus on community and family bonds rather than individual sexual norms, making polyamory less of a concern. Norse mythology and Greek mythology both had stories about polyamorous relationships, suggesting that these cultures may have been more accepting of non-monogamy in the past.
Despite religious taboos against polyamory, many people still choose to engage in this lifestyle. Some see it as a way to express themselves authentically and explore different types of intimacy and connection. Others view it as a way to avoid infidelity or other relationship problems by having multiple partners. There are also those who believe that monogamy itself can be unhealthy and damaging, leading to repressed desires and emotional suppression.
Whether or not polyamory is seen as moral or immoral depends on one's personal beliefs and values, as well as cultural and religious contexts.
How is polyamory morally evaluated and regulated in religious contexts, and what are the consequences for sexual ethics?
Polyamory has been a controversial topic among many religions due to its nature of challenging traditional monogamy and creating moral dilemmas. Some religions view polyamory as an act against divine will and punishable by excommunication from their community while others see it as an expression of free choice that must be respected within certain boundaries.