[BlueNgold]

The issue is legitimate because of the joint custody arrangement. You have a division of thought on bringing up the child, but it is in the extreme. One of the opposing views runs afoul of the law. This is not a simple matter of 'Catholic vs. protestant' .. this is a matter of indoctrination into an illegal activity. Were there no division of custody and the parents agreed then the courts would have no say. However, the complainant, as a joint custody holder, has standing. It is not a matter of government interference, it is a matter of a parent, unable to adequately resolve a custodial issue, addressing the courts for resolution.

[looscnnn]

"this is a matter of indoctrination into an illegal activity."

But given what the US Supreme Court found in regards to the 2 Texas "gentlemen", which made sodomy (which was illegal) legal, couldn't that hold true in this case? If so, that would make polygamy legal. So then it would become "Catholic vs. protestant" so to speak.

If they rule against him (this is part of the government making the ruling), can't that be seen as governmental interference? I agree that this is issue that started between the parents, it is what caused the divorce, but as soon as the courts (and the legislatures) get involved isn't the government involvment counter to his beliefs still interference? Take out polygamy and put in baptism (or what ever) and see if that changes things in your view.

[weegee]

This isn't the "practice" of an illegal activity. The courts (and Amazon.com) have defended the publication of books that detail how to make drugs and how to seduce children.

His instructing his daughter in the ways of polygamy is "education". If there is sexual assault going on, that is unrelated to the "education".

If he were shacking up with one, two, or six unmarried honeys he'd be okay is today's America. If he were shacking up with male lover he'd be okay in today's America. If he and his next wife were engaging in wife swapping orgies, that would be okay in today's America (remember the backlash that the press got for revealing that the parents of an abducted daughter were "swinging" the night of her abduction).

Letting this be controlled by the courts does help to set precedent that adults can't teach their children about a different religion (it is all indoctrination, as are the parents that haul their kids to political protests and get them to hold political placards).