Once They Let Same-Sex Couples Get Married, All Hell Broke Loose...

Charlotte Hays reported on this story in her Loose Canon Beliefnet blog:

First Trio "Married" in the Netherlands

The Netherlands and Belgium were the first countries to give full marriage rights to homosexuals. In the United States some politicians propose “civil unions” that give homosexual couples the full benefits and responsibilities of marriage. These civil unions differ from marriage only in name.

Meanwhile in the Netherlands polygamy has been legalised in all but name. Last Friday the first civil union of three partners was registered. Victor de Bruijn (46) from Roosendaal “married” both Bianca (31) and Mirjam (35) in a ceremony before a notary who duly registered their civil union.

Asked by journalists to tell the secret of their peculiar relationship, Victor explained that there is no jealousy between them. “But this is because Mirjam and Bianca are bisexual. I think that with two heterosexual women it would be more difficult.” Victor stressed, however, that he is “a one hundred per cent heterosexual” and that a fourth person will not be allowed into the “marriage.” They want to take their marriage obligations seriously: “to be honest and open with each other and not philander.”

First off, let's just clarify that this is polygyny, not polygamy, which in any case is not so earth-shattering. I love that this article credits, and actually uses the term "bisexual," with reasoning for a successful group marriage. Wait, is it still polygyny if the women consider themselves married to each other? Maybe not, maybe this is then polygamy... I will personally be keeping tabs on this issue out of the Netherlands...

Yet Another Reason I Should Move to Amsterdam...

I stole the link from this story from Chas Clifton's blog:

Witchcraft training gets tax break

Wed Sep 28,10:04 AM ET

Dutch tax authorities have allowed a woman to deduct the 2,210 euros it cost her to take a one-year course in witchcraft, an inland revenue official said Wednesday.

The 39-year actress and artist learned how to use crystal balls and prepare herbs, and also spells and other witchcraft skills at the course held in the country's northwest.

"The woman used the training in order to start ... giving workshops, so she used it to extend her professional knowledge," the tax official told Reuters.

Margarita Roland, who gave the course and whose Web site (http://www.heksehoeve.nl/) shows her with a broomstick and pointed hat, said she teaches apprentices all they need to know to become a witch, using magic as a force for good.

"A witch is a wise woman or man who knows about the magic of life in general and the magic of the earth in particular," said Roland, known as the "witch of Appelscha" after her home town.

Can you even conceive of something like that in this country right now? No, didn't think so...