Regarding your #315 and that “at least one family who, other than being a member of the FLDS compound, meets none of the criteria you mentioned as being a reason to be treated badly.”
The key is “being a member of the FLDS compound.”
For your imaginary family, it’s a doggone shame that they kept their children in that nest of pedophilia, surrounded by the men and women who taught *their* children to lie about their names, ages and family relationships, where they appear to be part of the same household.
Also, your scenario is more simplistic that reality. CPS went to the home to interview “Sarah.” The leaders of the cult denied that there was anyone named Sarah and offered to let the social workers interview other young girls. Those young girls said that there were several Sarah’s and that one had disappeared. They also confirmed that there was active sexual abuse going on.
Then, and only then, were the children removed from the cult compound.
I’m still waiting for the State to confirm that they either found “Sarah”, or that she did not exist. Until then, we can’t say that the cult members lied about Sarah not existing.
I’m also waiting for final confirmation that the calls from “Sarah” were a hoax from that woman, what was her name, swinton? Or conversely a final report that says they no longer suspect her.
Most on the state side on this have decided that location in the “compound” is sufficient to allow the state to treat everybody in that compound as if they were all involved, until they can prove they were not.
I also presume that most would NOT hold to the same standard if there were several families in a church, along with the pastor and leaders, who were abusing kids.
Nor would they hold the same standard if in a neighborhood, the head of the HOA, along with four of five families on one street, were found to be abusing kids.
In other words, in those two cases, one a religious tie, one a location tie, most here wouldn’t support CPS seizing children from families who were not directly suspected.
The wild card is that nobody in that church could NOT know the FLDS practiced Polygamy. But that raises another issue — is it Child Abuse if you attend a church, and make children attend a church, where something is taught that violates the law? Does religious freedom allow people to BELIEVE in things that they are not legally allowed to do?
Well, suppose we were talking about a Jewish-like faith, where the members believe in sacrificing animals. But knowing it to be illegal, they don’t practice it. But then it turns out that the leader and half the members ARE practicing it. Is that enough to make the other families suspect? Can you be punished for a belief, if you do not practice it?
You can answer yes or no, I’m just raising the issue. I’m not going to argue with someone who has a different opinion. I don’t feel like it. I would appreciate if people would acknowledge that I have FRAMED a VALID AREA OF DISCUSSION, but I’ve given up on that as well, it appears some things just can’t be discussed in a conservative forum.
I had hoped we wouldn’t ever get to say that. That’s what I think about liberal forums. I expect better out of Conservatives.