Historical Polygamy in New Religions of Japan
Historical polygamy is the practice of having multiple wives simultaneously. It was common among traditional religions such as Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Islam, Christianity, Shintoism, Confucianism, Taoism, Zoroastrianism, and some Native American tribes.
It has never been practiced among Japanese new religious movements. This paper will explore how historical polygamy in new religions of Japan was reconciled with ethical, spiritual, and social considerations.
Ethics
The first consideration was morality, which is based on ethical principles that guide human behavior. In traditional societies, polygamy was considered acceptable because it ensured survival of the community and provided for widows and children. But in modern times, monogamy became the norm due to technological advancements and economic stability. Many people believe that polygamy violates basic human rights, including equality and freedom from discrimination.
Women's groups in Japan have campaigned against it since the 1920s, arguing that it harms their dignity and well-being. Thus, new religions in Japan rejected polygamy as immoral and unethical.
Spirituality
New religions also prioritized spiritual beliefs over physical desires. They believed that marriage should be between a man and woman for life, with no exceptions. They argued that marriage was a sacred union between two souls, not just a legal contract. Polygamy conflicted with this view because it created competition and jealousy within marriages. It also prevented men and women from fully committing themselves emotionally and spiritually to each other. Therefore, they refused to recognize polygamous marriages or allow them in their communities.
Social Acceptance
New religions considered social acceptance when deciding whether to allow polygamy. They wanted to fit into Japanese society and avoid controversy. Monogamy was already accepted by most people in Japan, so they saw no need to challenge it further. Moreover, many new religions had female leaders who were not willing to share their husbands with multiple wives.
Polygamy could bring negative attention from government officials who might try to regulate or ban their activities. Thus, new religions chose monogamy to avoid conflict and maintain their public image.
How has historical polygamy in new Japanese religions been reconciled with ethical, spiritual, and social considerations?
The practice of polygamy among religious groups is often met with ethical, moral, and cultural controversy. In Japan, however, this issue was largely ignored until recently when it became more apparent due to the growing number of polygamous marriages among the members of certain religious organizations. According to Kato (2019), these religious groups include Tenrikyo, Konkokyo, Oomoto, and Shinshu Otani.