Polygamy is an age-old practice that continues to create controversy throughout the world - and most recently the issue has been taken up by the BC Supreme Court as it hears arguments on the rights of polygamists in the community of Bountiful, near Creston.
Now Prince George residents can hear firsthand about the issues surrounding the practice of marrying multiple wives during a forum today at Native Friendship Centre.
Alison Brewin of Vancouver, a lawyer who's been involved with the ongoing polygamy trial in Vancouver, will be one of the guest speakers at the 9:30 a.m. to noon event by Canadian Federation of University of Women, Prince George.
Although she refrained from saying polygamy is right or wrong, Brewin emphasizes the way it's practiced in B.C. is not OK for women.
"It's never practiced in a way that women have free choice as far as marrying. In Bountiful it's the prophet who gets to say who's marrying who," she said.
She added it's a criminal offence to practice polygamy in Canada, but no one has ever been charged.
"The argument is that it's not enforceable because it was written prior to our Charter of Rights and should be allowed as a religious practice," said Brewin.
"We're saying it should be a criminal offence in cases where children and girls are sexually exploited."
Boys are also negatively impacted by the system, she said.
"There can never be more males than females in a community, so boys are often kicked out for bad reasons. Young men don't get to finish high school nor do they get credit, like tickets or certificates, for their work."
But Bountiful women witnesses in the trial defend their family and their lifestyles say they just want to be left alone, she said.
"They live with a lot of fear, having been told from day one they will go to hell if they don't do what they are asked."
She said that among society there's a sense of acceptance of the system since the women and children, looking healthy and happy, seem normal to the average person.
"The journey to get the case to court has been a long one," said Brewin, noting the closing arguments are set for March.
A few years ago Women of Bountiful, an organization of women in that community, called a press conference to show they are fully aware of their lifestyle choice, and enjoy sharing husbands despite knowing the practice is illegal in Canada.
A story by Meghan Wood of the Canadian Christianity national news publication, said the Women of Bountiful will use Canada's Charter of Rights and Freedoms to argue that plural marriage is covered by their freedom of religion.
During the press conference, the women said they will no longer be silent, and they defended the practice where family members share the work and the raising of children.
"I love the fact that my girls and I only have to cook and clean once a week. [Polygamists are] a team of players who care for each other," Zelpha Chatwin said.
The women also said plural marriages come with various benefits, such as pooling resources and talent, and higher household incomes.
They also announced that girls under 18 will no longer enter into plural marriages.
The men of Bountiful who live the polygamous lifestyle marry one woman legally and then take more wives in "celestial unions," which are recognized solely by their church, part of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, a sect of Mormonism.
According to Apologetics Index, the sect separated from the Mormon church when it renounced plural marriage in 1890.
They are taught from birth that they are God's most favoured people -- the only people who will be saved when the world ends, a time that is coming soon.
They are taught that the most sacred principle is plural marriage. But that means multiple wives for men and not multiple husbands for wives.
