Any one keeping up with the Warren Jeffs/polygamy issue?

[Orgirl1969]

Been keeping an eye on this issue for awhile. This is a long article, but very informative and interesting: http://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/Issues/2003-03-13/news/feature_full.html

It pretty much gives the whole story of what's going on with the case and also with the polygamist enclave in northern AZ and southern UT. Disgusting. The media can talk about the oppression of women in the Middle East, Afghanistan or southern Asia, but this is happening right here in our own country for pete's sake! And I thought marriages arranged by parents were pretty bad, but imagine being 14 or 15 and having one man, a self-proclaimed prophet, up and decide that you are going to marry some old man the next day. And, if you don't, you can be excommunicated from the only life you've ever known and being told that you are eternally damned.

Be curious to hear others' take on this...

~Steph

[ladymelissa]

There are so many levels of wrong going on here, I can't even begin to put it into words. These men need to be locked up for statutory rape (I wish they could get the death penalty, after a long prison stay with Bubba), these women need to testify against them and all these women (esp. the ones who are now slightly older) need to take their kids and get out so the cycle stops.

It would be scary, but it has to be done and many are already capable of obtaining public assistance so it could be worse. They must have an inkling on some level that there is another world out there, the one that gives them food stamps and health care.

[MOB Karen]

I haven't been keeping up with it at all, but thanks for the update. Those men are perverts in my opinion, and need to be locked up. I just can't see myself so submissive that I would allow my 13-year old daughter to be married to some old man. :bbeek: I just want to shake some sense into someone. :irked:

[CarlosHoney]

Yeah, they have a "community" here in Texas.. We don't want them here!! The county that they were in changed some laws and whatnot to make it harder for them to be here.. But I'm really not sad to know that that creep got arrested.

I remember watching Dateline years ago and there was a lady who escaped and went back to help girls escape.. Because if they don't want to marry the creepy old man, too bad. I was so happy to know that at least some of them got free.

[WebLady]

I hadn't been keeping up with this but I read the article.

I think polygamy is wrong (I mean could you just imagine :boggle:) and I think the way these people treat women is wrong, let alone how I feel about their 'religion' but I guess we can't judge them for that.

But at the very least they are breaking the law with these young girls and I hope they are dealt with for it.

I tell ya it is things like this that make me thankful for what I have and that I live where I do.

[AngelinLove]

I read the article and was shocked at how the legal system and government are just ignoring the atrocious activity that is going on there. Disgusting!!!

[Italianobabe_89]

Its so hard to believe that these communties exist in America. Durring a routine traffic stop in Las Vegas I think they arrested Warren Jeffs. Hopefully this perverted man will be locked up for a long time.

[Orgirl1969]

I find it interesting that they have at least 20 confirmed cases of children in this community with fumarase deficiency, an extremely rare genetic disorder that causes severe mental retardation and physical deformities. Outside of this group, there have only been 13 confirmed cases WORLDWIDE of this particular disorder. The reason that there are so many cases with this FDLS group is because most of them are related and carry the gene. Maybe that's why my momma told me that you can never date your cousin! :D

Perhaps these people need a refresher course on the part of the bible that talks about reaping what you sow...

[racecargirl]

I have been following the case. I'm glad they are doing something about it. I never understood polygamy to begin with. You hear about it, but can't imagine it. Then you hear about cases like this where children are involved. It's sick. For a while on HBO they had a series called Big Love about polygamy. I watched one episode. Very strange.

[LaceyinPgh]

I actually feel bad for the people who are in this sect. I mean, sure some of them chose to join. But, if you are born and raised in that lifestyle (polygamy, isolation, extreme fundamental views, the idea that the world is out to get you) you don't have anything else to believe in. You simply do not know any better. It is brainwashing at its best.

It doesn't matter if Jeffs is in jail, someone else will take over. That way of life is right to these people. (I find the idea of multiple wivs and child brides disgusting).

But sadly, statory rape is only statory rape if someone reports it.

As for polygamy, it is in place in several relgions because it is believed by groups that a woman can only get into Heaven by being married. This stems from her fulfilling her wifely duties in the home and family.

[septemberbride06]

OMG! I cannot believe that. I haven't heard anything about this story. That is the most disguisting thing I have ever heard. Why would someone want that many wives, or better yet, that many kids!
I have two and cannot hardly afford anything. How in the world do they do it???

:whoa:

[MOB Karen]

OMG! I cannot believe that. I haven't heard anything about this story. That is the most disguisting thing I have ever heard. Why would someone want that many wives, or better yet, that many kids!
I have two and cannot hardly afford anything. How in the world do they do it???

:whoa:

I think it's a community thing. You know sort of like a commune where everyone takes care of everyone else.

[Orgirl1969]

OMG! I cannot believe that. I haven't heard anything about this story. That is the most disguisting thing I have ever heard. Why would someone want that many wives, or better yet, that many kids!
I have two and cannot hardly afford anything. How in the world do they do it???

:whoa:

Your tax dollars. Isn't that the most infuriating thing? I'm all for giving someone a helping hand, but they PLAN on having the state and federal government pay all their bills and support their lifestyle. It really just chaps my a$$! There was a part of that article that explains that Ruth's sister (one of the other 2 wives) enrolled Ruth and her kids in food stamps and other aid without her even knowing about it. I think there was something about that household receiving something like $2100 a month just in food stamps. That's not including Medicaid and other aid. That's how a man with 3 wives and a cops salary supports all those kids. So basically, it comes down to this: You and I and the other Joe-taxpayers are financially and medically supporting these people through the state and federal governments even though what they are doing is in violation of federal law. AND, it continues on, even though the federal government and the state of Arizona are fully aware of the situation.

AND, more children are brought into this world thinking that this way of life is how things are supposed to be. I'm like Lacey, I feel so badly for these women who know no other way of life and for the children who grow up in that environment either to be turned into instant homeless or to become the child bride of some old pedophile. Sick bast*rds! I'm currently looking into any charitable groups that help people escape from this cult. I may not be able to do much, but after reading about this more and more, the sicker my stomach gets...

~Steph

[ladymelissa]

The irresponsibility infuriates me. I understand that they are brainwashed and all that, but once upon a time women in all cultures were viewed as 2nd class citizens and were eventually (through a lot of work and sacrifice) able to change that. Like I said in my PP they need to stand up and change things, especially if they are unhappy in this lifestyle. I am not saying it would be easy, but I don't have much respect for anyone who would sit back and take this. Don't they in any way feel that making their 16 year old girl marry someone is wrong? Where is their conscience?

How in the world are they kept this isolated and brainwashed? In the article it said some of these wives work, they don't run into normal people and hear about a better life style? Do they not watch any bit of TV or movies? No one there lives like that. At the grocery store or the doctor's office, they don't even see one magazine cover?

I am also all about choice, if you are at least 18 with a HS education and you want to be a second or third "wife" (used loosely, b/c they are really like live in girlfriends in the legal sense) with no laws protecting you financially or joining you to this man, then that is their choice. But I am totally against forcing the young girls into this life style and having more kids than you can afford.

If they are so well versed in obtaining government aid, what is keeping them where they are? Why would you stay in a miserable situation when you knew where to get help?