Bigots and Polygamy

When the issue of polygamy comes up invariably the word "Mormon" is not far behind. Even though the LDS church has not practiced polygamy for some time they are still reviled because historically they did.  It is not uncommon to see comments such as, "The LDS church needs to acknowledge their seedy history."  Opponents of the Mormon church feel justified in vicious attacks against the religion and its members because they have polygamy to hold up as proof of being "ungodly" or even evil.

Many religions have historically practiced polygamy including Judaism, Hinduism, Buddhists and Sikhs.  Although polygamy by some of these religions wasn't outlawed by their leadership until the 1900's these religions are not called upon to acknowledge their "seedy history".

Perhaps the most vocal of the detractors against Mormons are the devoutly Christian.  I wonder if they would be so vicious in their assessment if they took the time for introspection and realized that Christians are not bystanders in the polygamy issue.  Throughout the bible there are at least forty references to men who had multiple wives.  Men like Moses, who had two wives; Zipporah and the Ethiopian woman referred to in Numbers 12:1.  David had many wives as described in the book of Samuel.  Solomon, Abraham, Gideon, Jacob ... all Godly men according to the bible and Christian tradition ... all polygamists.  Polygamy was being practiced in Judaism up until 393 A.D. when it was outlawed by Theodosius.  The Jewish people openly practiced polygamy during the time Jesus was alive, yet nowhere in the scriptures does Jesus or his disciples denounce the practice. 

Not one religion has clean hands when it comes to a history of polygamy yet only one religion is aggressively vilified and identified by it.  Separating a single group out and demonizing a practice that every other religious group shares in its history with impunity must be confronted.  So I ask those who sneer at the Mormons - especially the Christians who are so horrified by the polygamist history of Mormons:  why is the Mormon history of polygamy so much more egregious than your own?  With multiple examples of polygamy being practiced by men supposedly in good standing with God in the bible and a distinct lack of it being denounced or named a sin anywhere in the bible where do you draw your righteous indignation from?  

I'm not arguing for or against polygamy.  I'm interested to know how members of one religion can point a disapproving finger at another one for practices or beliefs that are a fundamental part of their own history.  How can Christians glow over beloved bible stories that depict and glorify polygamy (Abraham, Sarah and Hagaar) yet harshly judge another sect for their participation in it?  

Once their own history with polygamy is brought to light and held up for all to see, maybe these detractors with their shrill bigotry won't be so eager to use it as a club to beat the Mormons over the head with.