This story is so gripping, I just can't look away. It's such a mess, and I can't untangle it all in my mind. I've been digging deeper and deeper into research on their culture and beliefs. I keep coming to the dinner table every day with some interesting or disturbing fact that I've learned about their lifestyle, or the way the case is progressing. I can't come to a definite conclusion. Aspects of their religion are so disturbing, and very illegal, yet you balance that with what appears to be a clean, simple, wholesome life. I see the mothers' anguish, and I hurt for them. They are living the only life they know, and seem to be happy in it. Does anyone out there have the wisdom of Solomon to sort this all out? What would you do if you were in charge?
What I Learned...
4 years ago
6 comments:
Arrest the men, court order women to end teaching of plural marriage, psych. evaluations on women, children, men to access effects of cult mentality, return those kids to their mothers. Everyone feels cruddy when the law catches up...
Oh I have also struggled with this same thing. We, cause in St. George this is where the rest of them are located, see them around town all the time. They are very hard working and productive people. They look a little sad all the time, yet I see their work ethic. They build houses here and do it amazingly well. The neighbors house, they worked like a well oiled machine. Each doing their own job, and without talking to one another or listening to cruddy music. I have a hard time though. I don't like polygamy, but that is their religion. What if we were told we couldn't ummmm attend the temple anymore or have family home evening anymore (I know they aren't the same, but you know what I mean) I know people are upset because they are married at 16 and have babies, hello what about Jamie Lynn Spears. At least the polygamists are in a marriage/family situation. It happens all the time across the country. So here is my long winded way of saying, I am just as confused. Although I think Texas is totally messing up. This kids are being hurt with the way the state is handling it! Thanks for your thoughts!
This whole thing depresses me. It is a crazy situation that a lot of us I think can relate to - to a certain degree - given the misunderstandings about each and every religion. But when we cross the line between religious freedom and plain old breaking the law that confusion becomes overwhelming and sad. And so I am just glad that I am not a judge and I don't have to decide in this life or the next. I just pray for them all.
I think the women and the children should just be educated in what is ok and what is not, for their own sake, things like understanding that doing things against their will is abuse, things like that.
Only because when people live accepting something wrong, they might feel it's wrong but it becomes the only thing they know, and so they are afraid to change their lifestyle.
On the other hand, I feel sad for all the kids and the women going through all that, they could have left the kids with the mothers, it doesn't make any sense taking them away from them.
And also it's sad that the media is confusing that with the only official LDS Church.
Leave them alone. It's not the life I would choose, but they did.
If the women and young girls aren't being forced and everyone can leave if they want then why not? I get so sick of people trying to tell everyone how the "best" and "right" way live is and then insisting on it.
A case of religious persacution in my opinion. Where are all the Nazis when it comes to gay couples with children? This is much worse if you ask me.
It's so stupid for "the law" to make moral judgements in one case (like this one) and not make a corresponding judgement in another (all the unmarried couples, gay couples, whatever, who are also breaking the law). On the other hand, the polygamists know what they are up against--the adults at least should accept their responsibility for this situation. For what it's worth, worse things have happened. This will work itself out.
That said, I am a firm believer that people need to have complete information, and there needs to be education available to everyone regarding alternatives. This means that at least one of my kids has left the faith of his family, but neither we nor anyone else has the right to withhold choices and information. That particular kid is an awesome human being just the same, and it is God's job, not ours to sort it all out.
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