Why do we need to think about polyamory?
by Ian Paul, Psephizo:
Andrew Bunt has just written an excellent new Grove booklet in the Ethics series, Three or More: Reflections on Polyamory and Consensual Non-monogamy. I was able to catch up with him and ask him about why he wrote the booklet, and what we need to think about on this issue.
IP: Why have you decided to write this booklet now? Why are polyamory and consensual non-monogamy the next issues in contemporary sexual ethics?
AB: I decided to write this booklet now because I really think Christians need to start thinking about these topics now.
In part, that’s because the rise in polyamory and consensual non-monogamy is almost inevitable and is already happening. It’s almost inevitable because it’s the logical next step in modern western society’s dismantling of a sexual ethic rooted in the Judeo-Christian tradition. Once sex is severed from procreation, the idea that it should be restricted to unions of two (like the idea it should be restricted to male-female unions) begins to unravel. Mix that with the priority of individual freedom in our culture and the idea that anything is ethical so long as it doesn’t clearly cause harm to individuals, and there’s no reason why modern western society wouldn’t come to accept polyamory and consensual non-monogamy.
And so it’s no surprise that we are seeing evidence of increasing acceptance of polyamory and consensual non-monogamy—for example, more than a third of UK adults say polyamory is morally acceptable and only just over half of adults in the US report that their ideal relationship is completely monogamous. Plus, we’re seeing both practices featuring more prominently in TV, film and journalism. Visibility usually plays a significant role in shifting cultural attitudes.
In light of all of this, now is the time Christians should be thinking about these topics so we are prepared to respond well.
Related Posts
Tags
Share This
