h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I was in court the other day and there was a chap charged with bigamy appearing. Possibly only the second time that I have seen this in plenty of years.

Should this really be a crime? Ought we not now change the law.

What exactly IS the problem? (Other than as tax and benefit laws are framed at the moment posing a problem).

PP.

In some cases the two wifes might not know about each other.

Also it may effect the citizenship of children, especially if born out of the country

Human monogamy always has been and always will be counter to our instincts. But as always, culture, society and the current 'done thing' dictate how we live our lives. We're the only species on earth that doesn't just do what their innate nature tells them to do. Guess that's the price of civilisation

Groucho: "Well whadaya say girls? Are we all gonna get married?"

Woman: "All of us? But that's bigamy!"

Groucho: "Yes, and it's big-a-me too."

Aren't there plenty of examples of monogamous relationships in nature? Swans, beavers...or is that a myth?

There certainly are monogamous relationships in nature:

http://www.mnn.com/earth-matters/animals/photos/11-animals-that-mate-for-life/old-faithful

The question was whether they make a conscious decision, and I don't know whether this has been or indeed could be scientifically tested.

A852699

Thanks for that! It precedes my involvement with the site, so I hadn't seen this.

Would it be so difficult to get this into the Edited Guide? If you changed the title, you'd be almost there. But I guess others will disagree.

So if one thinks bigamy isn't really a crime how does one regard the situation of the Naked Rambler who has now spent more time in prison than I think his case warrants..

I really have no issue with him walking around naked..I'd have issues if he was a rapist,armed robber,vandal,fraudster etc but naked?

However I do think bigamists really should be jailed..for fraud.

"Would it be so difficult to get this into the Edited Guide?"

Christ, no. You can get anything into the Edited Guide.

I love the Crown Prosecution Service 'mode of trial'.

Bigamy

Title: Public nuisance
Offence: Bigamy
Legislation: Section 57 Offences Against the Persons Act 1861
Mode of Trial: Either Way

Should it be "Both Ways"?



PS: I think it is a crime because marriage gives quite a few rights against the State under immigration law and property law. Adultery is fine (in most western countries) - although, in the UK, it is also treasonous under the Treason Act 1351 (still in force) if it might cause confusion in the succession.

I love it that we have a law from 1351 which is still in force.

Now that would make a good Edited Entry...

" it is also treasonous under the Treason Act 1351 (still in force) if it might cause confusion in the succession." [Phoenician Trader]

Or success in the confusion.

"Would it be so difficult to get this into the Edited Guide? "

I tried, twelve and a half years ago. What happened next was one of the reasons I stopped bothering using this site:

F101670?thread=217549?thread=&skip=0&show=200

Was there another site that accepted it after H2G2 rejected it? if so, I congratulate you for prevailing.

"We're the only species on earth that doesn't just do what their innate nature tells them to do. " - Winnoch2.... Hmmm. nah. not all of us Monogomy is so overrated, but, why anyone would do so, not with the knowledge/consent of all partys, is... the bit, IMO Hmm, mind, depends I guess when one says bigamy instead of pologmy or polyamory I guess err.

I have studied the history of a 19th century family. There are 'two' people with the same name.
One is reported is sources from Philadelphia, the other from Detroit (both major cities in the US).

Both have a record of wife and children - clearly different wives and children.

In their later years, both are reported to have had a mental condition that required a caretaker.

The one from Philadelphia published a book about Native American artefacts he found on his journeys between the two cities.

I have often wondered if they were the same man

Just sayin'

F S

Quote generally attributed to Oscar Wilde:

Bigamy is having one wife too many. Monogamy is the same.

Is the lack of any spouses at all known as nonogamy?