This really has nothing to do with Romney or Mormons in general, it is aggravated sexual assault of a minor. You can take all church/cult affiliation out of it and the crime would still exist.
While the courts will prosecute the legal aspects, we as a whole will have to deal with the philosophical ones, the ones where we have allowed a “religion” to cover the most despicable of crimes...
It has everything to do with the beliefs of the cult, the FLDS sect. This isn't garden variety molestation, where a bad uncle gets on a 13 year old when the parents are away. This isn't even the culture of coverup that the Catholic Church engaged in vis-a-vis homosexual molesting priests in the 1970s and 80s. This is a group that BELIEVES it is their sacred duty to molest these children!
Seeing as they claim THEY are practicing the true (ie: fundamental) version of Mormonism it is reasonable for people to wonder: is that true. The answer that the Mormons renounced polygamy in order to get statehood is not a satisfactory answer. Did they repudiate the practice? Or is it simply that they believe in following the laws, but were the laws changed (as they maybe in the future, look at the anti-sodomy laws) they would have no problem with polygamy being re-introduced? Romney's famous "faith" speech was not satisfying because while standing up for the "faith of my fathers" he avoided discussion of his grandfathers polygamy.
In an election season where we've seen one front runners' campaign derailed because of his odd religious beliefs, it is our good fortune that Romney isn't our nominee at this point. It is hard for me to believe this wouldn't be focusing as much or more uncomfortable attention on Mitt and his religion than the Wright comments have on Obama. With identical results - dwindling of support outside the fanatic base.
I'll go so far as to say this is probably going to cost Mitt as serious shot at the VP slot this year.
It might be unfair, but it's reality. Too bad because Mitt is a pretty damn smart guy we could use.
Thanks for your insight. Crime is crime whatever the religion.
BTW - I'd say around 50% of girls (14-17) living in Public Housing have been pregnant. Let's go get'em!
Gee, aren't you glad Romney isn't having to say this every 2 seconds to the national press while the dems are laughing their collective asses off. You could not have gotten anybody in the South to even hold his nose and vote for him, it would have killed the party.
it is aggravated sexual assault of a minor.
So true.
You can take all church/cult affiliation out of it and the crime would still exist.
Another very true statement that the mormon defenders on every thread can't seem to see or understand was a no brainer from the beginning when the mother's refused to claim their kids, because nobody does that unless there has been a huge crime committed.