Posted by
Larry Gee on Tuesday, April 15, 2008 7:01:38 AM
I've watched with some interest the goings on with the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Texas, and I'd like to express my support for their plight. You see, I believe that as long as you are not harming anyone, you should be able to practice whatever religion you choose, as guaranteed by the first amendment to our constitution. We, as a people tolerate such varied religious practices as Satanism, complete atheism, Voodoo, along with more "main stream" religions such as Catholicism, Evangelist Christianity, Islam (which also practices polygamy), Buddism, Hinduism, and a whole raft of others not mentioned. We tolerate, and even look with some fondness on the Amish and Mennonite communities.
I guess in the whole "why can't we all get along" theme, what harm are these people doing to others? Why does the state of Texas feel that they are responsible for 'saving' these children from their religion? Is polygamy equivalent to child abuse? These people seem healthy, well dressed, and clean. They appear to have more than the basics of the food, and shelter covered, so why mess with them?
I suppose it is our discomfort with their alleged practice of 'forced' marriage of young girls to older men. We find it shocking and somewhat unbelievable how in today's society that this could be going on. Thing is, the FLDS members aren't really a part of our society. They have chosen to live apart and to have minimal interaction with our society as a whole. Practices that cause us to swallow hard and raise our eyebrows may seem as normal as rain to them.
Now, I'll have to admit that I'm not really comfortable with the alleged practice of child marriage. I can't imagine marrying off my teenage daughter to some old codger, even one I might be friends with. I'm the law and order type, so on principle, I should be coming down hard on the side of the state of Texas, but I still have reservations about how the freedom of religion is being trampled here. I guess that with a single modification to the FLDS practices, my squeamishness would vanish. That change would be, marriages shall not be granted until both parties are over the age of 18, which is the minimum age for marriage in Texas, without a court order. Now, having said that, I'm in no position to modify the doctrine or practices of the FLDS church. Maybe the authorities in Texas are, but why stop there? Why not force them to give up the practice of polygamy all together? Ah, there in lies the rub. The state is then infringing on the first amendment rights. The state of Texas could be guilty of what is religious persecution. I'm sure the members of the FLDS church see it that way.
So, what is my final word? I guess I'm going to have to come down on the side of the first amendment. Hands off the FLDS church. Send the over 400 children back to their parents. I would however warn the leaders of that community that child abuse will not be tolerated and suggest that their marriage practices be modified to raise the minimum age of marriage to be consistent with the laws in the state of Texas, then, leave them alone.