Posted on 05/06/2008 5:16:55 AM PDT by MrEdd
Census sheets found in a safe at a polygamous sect's ranch in west Texas both support and contradict the state's claim of a widespread culture of underage marriage.
Texas authorities used the sheets to convince a judge that there was a "pervasive pattern" among the FLDS of marrying underage girls to older men.
A review of the "Father's Family Information" sheets shows a handful of 16-year-old wives, 13 young monogamous couples and 24 men with multiple wives - including one man with 21 wives and 36 children.
A Texas Ranger testified about the census sheets during an April 17-18 court hearing before 51st District Judge Barbara Walther, who accepted the records as evidence despite objections from attorneys representing FLDS parents and children. The pages were recently released by the court. Sgt. Danny Crawford said the sheets were found April 5 in an office at the ranch, home to members of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Texas authorities raided the ranch on April 3 after receiving reports of an abused 16-year-old, calls now being investigated as a possible hoax.
Authorities have said, however, they found evidence of a polygamous lifestyle and underage marriage practices at the ranch that supported removing 464 children.
The bishop's record sheets helped them make that case.
(Excerpt) Read more at sltrib.com ...
Where they 'worshiped' Warren Jeffs. This is not a religion it is a cult.
Many men in the sect have been officially married to one wife, but might have a dozen or more unofficial “spiritual wives” who could qualify for welfare payments—another way to drain money from the government. The sect calls this tactic “bleeding the beast.”
You're equating protecting children with organ harvesting and forced abortions?
The alleged human rights violations that people are complaining that the US government is engaging in here pale by comparison to organ harvesting and forced abortions.
The Chinese have no platform from which to complain about human rights violations.
Show us where the government did anything legally wrong here.
That’s an individual choice though isn’t it? Honoring parents...traditions. If they had said no and she decided to marry you anyway would she have been able to?
However, in the US I don’t think the family could force her into the marriage, if she wanted to fight it.
susie
” In fact there does not seem to be a respect for the individual “
Welcome to the world of cults.
Exactly my point.
Real men don’t want that (and we have lots of good, real men here) :)
BTW as a parent, I think I would be GREAT at picking my sons wives. They think they know better, however (and so far, they’ve done a great job).
susie
....you will smooch her until she comes around??? ;)
Heck,
I’ll hand them the mop.
If they really believe it’s the only way to get into heaven, most of them will never buck that system. And if you are raised to believe something, it’s very difficult to get past it. Look at suicide bombers. I mean, it’s very difficult for me to imagine doing that, but there seems to be a large number who do it.
susie
“Great, so you admit his post was pure hyperbole??!!! “
Yes. But was it Award Winning Hyperbole?
If we took it to a vote, I’m going with the comments about Americans with Weapons of Mass Destruction invading the Ranch and burning the children at the stake.
Isn’t that ironic .
Technically that’s just what Texas has done. We can’t hold it for them though.
I think we also forget the total isolation that is involved...while some cheer no TV, imagine NO news, no Discovery, HGTV, TLC, History channel....
Or the food network even! ;)
Imagine no internet, ever. We live here, imagine never touching a keyboard.
Plus little to no outside contact with non-sect members. What you know about them, you believe is truth, so if you’re told they’re demonic cannibals, why question?
Imagine that the only books you have access to are the Bible and other semi-religious books. No novels, magazines, newspapers etc.
Your whole belief system is based on what your God/Prophet tells you is real (And yes, the only way he can have that much power is by eliminating all of the above).
Of course they don’t think any different...where would the thoughts come from?
Some do manage to get out though. What makes them different?
Oh my, I missed that one! We need an award....
susie
Ok, and visit to a different church or too, a day at a spa, a jaunt to a mall, a trip to a library, a day at the movies, an afternoon on a computer etc. Odds of conversion are greatly increased.
Exactly.
susie
Some adults may go back but once they have tasted freedom...life will not be the same.
That is such an excellent question.
susie
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.