Demanding of an Iraqi interpreter to choose between his two wives would be in conflict with classic Christian principles, theologians say.
While politicians are pondering on what to do with an Iraqi interpreter seeking recognition as a refugee together with his two wives, theologians already have the answer: Let him keep both.
'We cannot just impose our Christian ethics on everybody, and this man is not applying for becoming a Christian, but for protection. He has lived lawfully with two wives in Iraq, and I think it would be right if he brings them both', says Viborg's bishop Karsten Nissen.
He is backed up by a number of theologians who all find Christian justifications for the interpreter's right to have two wives.
The man was part of a group of Iraqi interprets that came to Denmark recently as they were considered to be in danger after helping Danish soldiers in Iraq.
Right-wing party: One must leave
He brought along two wives, with whom he has three children in total. But this is not OK according to both the Danish People's Party and a number of feminists. Pointing out that polygamy is illegal in Denmark, they demand that the interpreter either leaves the country or divorces one of his wives.
But it actually says nowhere in the Bible that polygamy is a sin. And the Danish People's Party's demand is in conflict with a classic Christian principle expressed already by Paul, according to Hans Raun Iversen, lecturer in systematic theology.
'Paul said that you shall not rip people out of the state in which you meet them. In other words: Given that the man is already lawfully married to both wives in Iraq, Denmark can not just demand that he divorces one of them.'
Polygamy is not un-Christian
Professor Svend Andersen, doctor theologiae, finds no justification either, to claim that polygamy is un-Christian. He refers to philosopher and theologian K.E. Løgstrup who said that marriage is not one and the same thing within all cultures.
But the Danish People's Party politician and theologian Jesper Langballe rejects his colleagues. In his opinion, this case is neither about charity, nor about Christianity.
'I do not get them at all. It is very un-Lutheran to make laws based on charity. In Denmark, bigamy is not allowed. The law is the law, and it must be respected. That's all there actually is to it.', he says.
Anne M. Sørensen in Politiken 31/7-7
Translated by Bjørn Clasen
At kræve, at en irakisk tolk skal vælge mellem sine to hustruer, vil være i strid med klassiske kristne principper, siger teologer.
Mens politikerne grubler over, hvad de skal stille op med en irakisk tolk, der søger flygtningestatus sammen med sine to koner, har teologerne allerede svaret: lad ham beholde dem begge to.
»Vi kan ikke bare lægge vores kristne etik ned over nogen, og denne mand søger jo ikke om at blive kristen, men om at blive beskyttet. Han har levet lovformeligt med to kvinder i Irak, og jeg synes, det er rigtigt, at han fik dem begge med«, siger Viborgs biskop, Karsten Nissen.
Han bakkes op af en række teologer, der alle kan finde kristne argumenter for tolkens ret til to koner.
Den irakiske tolk var en del af den gruppe, som for nylig kom til Danmark, fordi de skønnedes at være i fare efter at have hjulpet de danske soldater i Irak.
DF: Ud med den ene
Med sig havde han to koner, med hvem han i alt har tre børn, men den går ikke, mener både Dansk Folkeparti (DF) og en række feminister. I Danmark er flerkoneri ulovligt, påpeger de og kræver, at tolken enten rejser ud af landet eller lader sig skille fra den ene hustru.
Men det står faktisk ikke nogen steder i Bibelen, at flerkoneri er en synd. Og DF’s krav strider imod et klassisk kristent princip, som allerede Paulus formulerede, mener lektor i systematisk teologi, Hans Raun Iversen.
»Paulus sagde, at man ikke må rykke folk ud af den stand, de bliver antruffet i. Det betyder, at når manden allerede er lovligt gift med begge koner i Irak, så kan Danmark ikke bare forlange, at han lader sig skille fra den ene«, siger han til Politiken.
Flerkoneri er ikke ukristent
For professor, dr. theol. Svend Andersen er der heller ikke belæg for at sige, at polygami (flerkoneri) er ukristent. Han henviser til filosoffen og teologen K.E. Løgstrup, der mente, at ægteskab ikke er én bestemt ting i alle kulturer.
Men DF-politikeren og teologen Jesper Langballe afviser sine kolleger. Efter hans mening handler denne sag hverken om næstekærlighed eller kristendom.
»Jeg fatter dem slet ikke. Det er ganske uluthersk at lovgive efter næstekærlighed. I Danmark er bigami ikke tilladt. Lov er lov, og lov skal holdes. Længere er den faktisk ikke«, siger han.
Anne M. Sørensen i Politiken 31/7-7
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