What Is The Difference Between Bigamy and Polygamy?

The terms bigamy and polygamy both refer to being married to more than one person at the same time, but they differ in context, legality, and intention:

🔹 Bigamy

• Definition: The act of marrying one person while still legally married to another, without the knowledge or consent of one or both spouses.

• Key Feature: It’s usually done secretly or illegally.

• Legal Status: Illegal in most countries, including all U.S. states.

• Example: A person marries someone new without divorcing their current spouse.

🔸 Polygamy

• Definition: The practice of having more than one spouse at the same time.

• Key Feature: It is often cultural or religious, and may be known and accepted by all parties.

• Types:

  • Polygyny: One man, multiple wives (most common form).

  • Polyandry: One woman, multiple husbands (rare).

• Legal Status:

  • Illegal in most Western countries.

  • Legal or tolerated in some countries (e.g., parts of the Middle East, Africa, and Asia) for religious or cultural reasons.

⚖️ In Summary:

Open relationships are not considered bigamy, polygamy, or polyandry, and here’s why:

✅ What Is an Open Relationship?

An open relationship is a consensual arrangement in which people in a committed relationship agree that they can have romantic or sexual relationships with other people outside the partnership, without marriage.

🟤 Why Open Relationships Are Different:

🔍 Key Differences

• No additional marriages: In an open relationship, neither partner marries someone else, so it doesn’t qualify as bigamy or polygamy.

• Consensual and legal: Open relationships are consensual and do not violate marriage laws.

• Focus on relationships, not legal status: Open relationships are about non-monogamous dynamics, not creating legal marital bonds with others.

🔄 Related But Different: Polyamory

Sometimes confused with open relationships, polyamory involves multiple romantic relationships with the knowledge and consent of everyone involved. Like open relationships, polyamory does not require marriage and is not considered polygamy unless multiple marriages are involved.

Yes, certain religious beliefs and doctrines have historically justified or even encouraged polygamy, but not typically bigamy. Here’s the difference and the context:

🔸 Polygamy and Religion

✅ 1. Islam

• Polygamy is permitted: A Muslim man may marry up to four wives if he treats them equally (Qur’an 4:3).

• Legal Status:

  • Polygamy is legal in many Muslim-majority countries (e.g., Saudi Arabia, Nigeria, Pakistan).

  • Not recognized in most Western nations, even for religious reasons.

✅ 2. Fundamentalist Mormonism (FLDS and similar groups)

• Polygamy was practiced (specifically polygyny—one man, multiple wives).

• Mainstream LDS Church (Mormons):

  • Officially banned polygamy in 1890.

• Breakaway groups still practice it, though it’s illegal under U.S. law.

• Legal Status:

  • Still illegal in all U.S. states, though decriminalized in Utah (2020) for consenting adults in non-fraudulent relationships.

✅ 3. Judaism (historically)

• Old Testament figures like Abraham, Jacob, and Solomon had multiple wives.

• Rabbinic Judaism:

  • Banned polygamy in the 10th century (Rabbeinu Gershom’s edict).

  • Still practiced among some Mizrahi and Yemenite Jewish communities until the mid-20th century.

✅ 4. Christianity (minor fringe groups)

• Most Christian denominations oppose polygamy.

• Some fringe sects (e.g., certain African-initiated churches) practice polygamy under cultural-religious interpretations.

🔴 Bigamy and Religion

• Bigamy is typically NOT justified by religion.

• It usually involves secretly marrying a second spouse, which violates the core principle of honesty and consent in most religious ethics.

• Even in religious polygamous communities, each marriage is supposed to be transparent and consent-based, so bigamy (as a form of fraud) is not condoned.

🔍 Summary Table:

 

Legal Steps to Leave a Bigamist or Polygamist Relationship

Leaving a bigamist or polygamist relationship involves different legal considerations depending on whether the relationship is recognized by law or not. Here’s a breakdown for both scenarios, focusing on jurisdictions like the U.S., where bigamy is illegal and polygamy is generally not legally recognized:

⚖️ 1. Leaving a Bigamist Marriage (Legally Married to Two People)

🔹 Step 1: Confirm Legal Status

• Check marriage records to determine if your spouse is legally married to someone else.

• A person cannot be legally married to two people at once in the U.S. or most countries.

🔹 Step 2: File for Annulment or Divorce

• If you’re the second spouse:

  • You can file for an annulment, since the marriage is invalid by law.

• If you’re the first spouse:

  • You can file for divorce, citing bigamy as a ground (in some states, this may also be a crime).

🔹 Step 3: Report the Bigamy (Optional but Legal)

• Bigamy is a criminal offense in most jurisdictions.

• You may report the bigamist to law enforcement or the district attorney’s office.

• Penalties can include fines or jail time for the offending spouse.

⚖️ 2. Leaving a Polygamous Relationship (Culturally or Religiously-Based, Not Legally Recognized)

🔹 Step 1: Know the Legal Structure

• In most Western countries (like the U.S., Canada, and the U.K.), only one marriage is legally recognized.

• Other “marriages” are often religious or common-law arrangements, not protected by marital laws.

🔹 Step 2: End the Relationship

• For non-legal marriages, you don’t need a court to end the relationship.

• However, you may need:

  • A restraining order if there are threats or coercion.

  • A civil lawsuit if property or custody rights are disputed.

🔹 Step 3: Seek Legal Aid for Complex Situations

• If there are children, shared property, or abuse, consult a family lawyer for:

  • Custody arrangements

  • Property division

  • Protection orders (if needed)

🧾 Supporting Documents You May Need:

• Marriage certificates (yours and the other, if applicable)

• Communication or witness statements proving bigamy

• Documents related to children, assets, or abuse

🆘 If You’re in a Coercive or Religious Polygamist Group:

• Contact organizations like:

  • Sound Choices Coalition or Holding Out Help (in the U.S.)

  • Local domestic violence shelters or legal aid societies

• They specialize in helping people leave closed or abusive polygamist communities safely.

⚠️ Legal Tip:

Even if your marriage wasn’t legal, you may still have rights regarding property, custody, or domestic partnership benefits. Don’t assume you have no recourse.

Civil Divorce In Scottsdale, AZ

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