Thanks for your reply:
>>In a lot of cases the parents have control, not the cult leader. <<
I think that is definitely not the case in the FLDS. Jeffs was convicted of ordering the 14 year old to marry her cousin against her will - the parents acquiesced. Obedience is the primary requirement. They are taught that the children belong to the prophet and he has removed parents, “re-assigned” children many times.
I understand it’s difficulty, but I think the question of “would you do what Warren Jeffs said with your minor children, even if it were...” could and should be asked.
I already made it clear that thought crimes and beliefs are not actionable. What part of law anywhere says it is against the law to have beliefs even if they are unlawful if acted upon? If they act upon an unlawful action based in belief, then the action is actionable. Jeffs is in jail btw. If your child listens to a CD about shooting cops, does that make him a cop killer even if he believes cops are pigs and should be shot? Unless he shoots the cop or has someone shoot the cop, it is not against the law.
Which may not be a crime. When the cult leader says a particular child (legal definition) must marry an adult, that is a crime. But when a girl has reached legal age and is arranged to marry, that is not. The evidence certainly suggests some crimes took place, but each of those cases must be investigated and prosecuted separately. Anything else is collective punishment, whether or not you agree with the parents or the leader.