How Spiritual Unions serves as a Legal Bypass for Polygyny Practitioners in the USA.

The Advantages of Spiritual Unions in the USA: A Legal Bypass for Polygyny Practitioners

In the United States, polygyny—the practice of a man having multiple wives—remains a polarizing topic. While legally prohibited under federal and state bigamy laws, a growing number of individuals are turning to spiritual unions as a workaround. These informal, religiously or culturally sanctioned relationships offer a way to embrace a plural lifestyle without clashing with government regulations. For men intending to have multiple women in their homes, spiritual unions provide distinct advantages—legal, social, and personal. In this post, we’ll explore why this approach is gaining traction, its benefits, and spotlight some well-known figures who’ve made it work as of March 2025.

What Are Spiritual Unions?

Spiritual unions are commitments between individuals, often rooted in faith or personal belief systems, that don’t involve a state-issued marriage license. Unlike legal marriage, which is restricted to one spouse at a time in the U.S., spiritual unions exist outside the government’s purview. For polygyny practitioners, this means a man can “marry” multiple women in a ceremonial or spiritual sense while keeping only one (or none) as a legal wife. It’s a clever bypass that sidesteps bigamy laws, offering freedom to live according to personal values.

Advantages of Spiritual Unions for Polygyny

1. Legal Protection Through Ambiguity
   Bigamy laws—like Utah Code § 76-7-101—prohibit multiple legal marriages, with penalties ranging from fines to jail time. Spiritual unions dodge this by avoiding state recognition altogether. If only one marriage is legally registered, additional “wives” are seen as cohabitants in the eyes of the law—not spouses. The Supreme Court’s reluctance to police private relationships (reinforced by cases like Brown v. Buhman in 2013) adds a layer of safety. For men building a plural household, this means less risk of prosecution as long as no fraud or coercion is involved.
2. Religious and Cultural Freedom
   The First Amendment guarantees freedom of religion, and spiritual unions lean heavily on this right. Whether inspired by fundamentalist Mormonism, Islamic traditions (allowing up to four wives), or personal spiritual beliefs, men can structure their households without government interference. This appeals to those who see polygyny as a divine calling or cultural heritage, free from secular constraints.
3. Flexibility in Household Dynamics
   Unlike legal marriage, spiritual unions don’t come with rigid state-defined roles or obligations. Men and their partners can negotiate terms—finances, childcare, or intimacy—based on mutual agreement. This flexibility suits polygynous setups, where multiple women might share responsibilities, fostering a cooperative home life without legal entanglement.
4. Avoiding Government Oversight
   Legal marriages bring tax filings, inheritance laws, and potential divorce proceedings—messy prospects with multiple spouses. Spiritual unions keep the government out of the equation. Property, custody, and support can be handled privately (e.g., through trusts or informal agreements), reducing bureaucratic headaches and public scrutiny.
5. Social Acceptance in Niche Communities
   In pockets of the U.S., like rural Utah or certain religious enclaves, polygyny via spiritual unions enjoys quiet acceptance. Communities often rally around these families, offering support networks that offset mainstream stigma. For men seeking multiple partners, this creates a sense of belonging without needing legal validation.

Popular Figures Practicing Spiritual Unions in 2025

Here are some notable individuals who’ve embraced polygyny through spiritual unions, navigating U.S. laws successfully (or not) as of March 2, 2025:

• Kody Brown
  Known from TLC’s Sister Wives, Kody has four “wives”—Meri, Janelle, Christine, and Robyn—but only one legal marriage at a time (currently Robyn). The others are spiritual unions, keeping him compliant with Nevada and Arizona laws. Despite Christine’s 2021 exit, Kody’s model shows how media exposure and mobility can normalize this lifestyle.
• Warren Jeffs
  Before his 2011 life sentence for child sexual assault, the ex-FLDS leader had over 70 spiritual wives. Operating in isolated Short Creek, he avoided bigamy charges for years by keeping marriages unofficial. His case highlights both the potential and pitfalls—legal immunity holds only until other crimes surface.
• Tom Green
  A 1990s polygamist with five spiritual wives, Green lived openly in Utah until his 2001 conviction for child rape (one wife was 13). His story underscores that spiritual unions work best when kept discreet and consensual, avoiding statutory violations.
• Samuel Bateman
  As of his 2022 arrest, this FLDS splinter leader had 20+ spiritual wives, some minors. Facing ongoing trafficking charges in 2025, Bateman’s case shows the legal tightrope: spiritual unions shield polygyny, but related crimes (e.g., underage partners) invite scrutiny.
• Rulon Allred (Historical Influence)
  A mid-20th-century polygamist with seven spiritual wives, Allred’s legacy in the Apostolic United Brethren inspires modern practitioners. Killed in 1977, his approach—low-profile, community-backed—remains a blueprint for avoiding government issues.

How They Make It Work

These figures rely on key strategies:

• One Legal Wife: Limiting legal marriage to one partner keeps them technically monogamous under the law.
• Isolation or Mobility: Remote living (Jeffs, Green) or state-hopping (Brown) reduces visibility.
• Community Support: Religious groups often shield members from external judgment or legal action.
• Discretion: Avoiding public claims of multiple “legal” wives prevents triggering investigations.

Challenges to Consider

While spiritual unions offer a bypass, they’re not foolproof. Welfare fraud allegations (common in FLDS cases), underage marriages, or public boasting can draw law enforcement. Plus, without legal status, “wives” lack protections like alimony or inheritance rights unless privately arranged—a trade-off for autonomy.

Why Spiritual Unions Are Gaining Traction

As of 2025, cultural shifts—like Utah’s 2020 downgrade of polygamy to an infraction—signal softening attitudes. Reality TV and online forums (e.g., X posts on polygyny) amplify visibility, inspiring men to explore this path. For those valuing plural households over government approval, spiritual unions strike a practical balance.

Final Thoughts

Spiritual unions offer a compelling workaround for polygyny in the U.S., blending legal savvy with personal freedom. They empower men to build the families they envision, sidestepping a system that doesn’t align with their beliefs. From Kody Brown’s public journey to the cautionary tales of Jeffs and Bateman, the practice thrives in gray areas—proof that where there’s a will, there’s a way. Curious about trying it yourself? Research local laws, connect with like-minded communities, and keep it spiritual—not legal—for the smoothest path forward.