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Polygamy

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions | 1997 | | Â© The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions 1997, originally published by Oxford University Press 1997. (Hide copyright information) Copyright

Polygamy. Marriage in which a person may have more than one spouse at the same time (in contrast to monogamy). Polygyny is the marriage of a man to more than one wife, polyandry the marriage of a woman to more than one husband. Polyandry is relatively rare (e.g. the Nayar and Toda of India), polygyny more common, especially in Africa. In Islam, marriage to more than one wife is allowed (see MARRIAGE), but in general, religions have moved toward monogamy or have endorsed it from the start. The Lambeth Conference of 1888 declared polygamy to be ‘inconsistent with the law of Christians’, but the Conference of 1988 allowed baptism to those who undertook not to enter into further (polygynous) marriages, and it asked that the consent of the local Anglican community should be sought (resolution 26). African Instituted Churches are divided on the issue.

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JOHN BOWKER. "Polygamy." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions. 1997. Encyclopedia.com. 15 Nov. 2009 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

JOHN BOWKER. "Polygamy." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions. 1997. Encyclopedia.com. (November 15, 2009). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O101-Polygamy.html

JOHN BOWKER. "Polygamy." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions. 1997. Retrieved November 15, 2009 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O101-Polygamy.html

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polygamy

A Dictionary of Ecology | 2004 | | Â© A Dictionary of Ecology 2004, originally published by Oxford University Press 2004. (Hide copyright information) Copyright

polygamy In animals, a pattern of mating in which an individual has more than one sexual partner. See also polyandry; polygyny; and promiscuity.Compare monogamy.

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MICHAEL ALLABY. "polygamy." A Dictionary of Ecology. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. 15 Nov. 2009 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

MICHAEL ALLABY. "polygamy." A Dictionary of Ecology. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. (November 15, 2009). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O14-polygamy.html

MICHAEL ALLABY. "polygamy." A Dictionary of Ecology. 2004. Retrieved November 15, 2009 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O14-polygamy.html

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polygamy

World Encyclopedia | 2005 | Â© World Encyclopedia 2005, originally published by Oxford University Press 2005. (Hide copyright information) Copyright

polygamy Marriage in which more than one spouse is permitted. More often it is used to denote polygyny (several wives) than polyandry (several husbands). Polygamy is legal in many nations.

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Free newspaper and magazine articles

	Polygamy in African fiction.(Critical essay) Magazine article from: Current Writing: Text and Reception in Southern Africa; 1/1/2008
	Two mommies and a daddy.(THE FUTURE OF POLYGAMY) Magazine article from: The Christian Century; 7/25/2006
	Here come the brides: Polygamy club woos Malaysia News Wire article from: AP Online; 9/27/2009

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