The recent raid of the Fundamental Latter Day Saints compound in Texas was shocking on many levels. First, we faced the reality that forced marriage and child abuse on this level could still exist in the United States. Evidently, the threat of imprisonment cannot quell this group’s belief that they are justified in their actions. Most of you will agree that this treatment of women and young girls is utterly despicable. However, that is not the focus of this post.
As I read the headlines today of the judge’s order to keep over 400 kids in state custody, my heart is torn. On many levels I see the court’s intention, but I am unsure of their right. This entire proceeding began with a single phone call. From one allegation the police justified removing several families, encroaching upon many homes, and even entering a place of worship. Even if you disagree, as do I, with the FLDS theology, you must recognize that this group deserves as much access to the constitution as you and I. Authorities used information from an unidentified source to take all of their actions. Why is this important? Precedent has been made. In the future your church may be the subject of such actions. Anyone will be able to complain and you will be subject to the undue process that was shown in Texas.
Lest you think I am stretching issue, listen to this story from here in New Mexico. An Albuquerque photographer was asked to photograph a civil union between two lesbians. Note, this was not a legal union. However, the photographer cited her beliefs and refused service. The two homosexuals then sued the photographer through the civil rights commission. The result was a $6000 judgment for the couple. With this mindset and the disregard for due process, Christians will face increased persecution in the future. Look at the warning signs, don’t let your rights deteriorate without a fight.
2 Comments
April 19, 2008 at 8:20 am
I wrote about this just a few hours ago myself! (Hugh Hefner Versus Mormon Polygamists Of FLDS « The Black Cordelias)
The fact of the matter is, if these fellas were just shacked up with their “baby mammas” and making no pretense of being married… or if it were two men who lived in a state that allowed for same-sex couples to adopt, the story would be appreciably different. Hugh Hefner lives with 3 women (it was 7 “girlfriends” with curfews and allowances a few years back) but I suppose the key difference is he rejects fertility and only uses them for sex, companionship, and red-carpet photo ops… No babies in the mansion!
If these men had married these women, gotten no-fault divorces after having babies from a $1000 strip-mall lawyer and went on to repeat (so long as they left the women in the tough situation of being a single parent!) they would have been fine. If they just pretended these baby mammas were girlfriends, they would have been find.
I don’t agree with these folks in any way, but given the death of traditional marriage, it is going to be harder and harder to oppose this… And the Muslim population in America is growing. I can tell you that here in Columbus, with a significant Somali population, Islamic polygamy is already hear.
That fellow who lives with his wife and her two sisters? Those aren’t his sisters!
Where are we then headed? The next 25 years will tell, I guess.
June 19, 2008 at 1:23 am
Somehow i missed the point. Probably lost in translation
Anyway … nice blog to visit.
cheers, Clothespin.