The Polygamy Scandal

[Marx]

I'm sitting here watching Larry King Live, as I often do, and they are disussing the polygamy scandal. As you may or may not know, a few hundred children have been removed from a polygamy compound due to abuse accusations in Texas and the state is currently seeking custody of those children.

I feel so bad for all of the kids involved in this mess. Watching this group of women from the sect speak on tv...they are dressed like they live in the 1800's, are very soft spoken, and generally seem brainwashed, spacey, and withdrawn. They continue to avoid questions like "where is your husband" and keep repeating "our focus is on the children." I can't imagine what this situation has brought upon all involved, but this isn't right. I've heard rumors about there only being five husbands for the whole sect, which blows my mind. I just can't believe something like this hasn't been stopped before now. There are laws against polygamy, yet all of these "adults" continued on as nothing was wrong.

My only hope is that this situation has brought a renewed awareness and will greatly strengthen the laws (or create new ones) so that something like this will never happen again. It may be a fool's hope, but this situation is ridicuous!

I just don't understand how people can think this is normal!?!?!?!

 

[The Senator]

You know, really, I don't see what the difference is between Warren Jeffs and the Fundamental Church of Latter-Day Saints, and Pope Benedict XVI and the Catholic church. Both organizations abuse children, both church's leaders have supported such acts (or at least, Cardinal Ratzinger told the Catholic Church to remain silent in regards to these acts when he worked under John Paul II). It seems like everyone is criticizing Jeffs and his supporters, while the Pope is getting a huge birthday extravaganza in our nation's capitol.

 

[Marx]

It's just disgusting Jman. I just cannot comprehend how this can be seen as normal. These men have married girls as young as 15 years old! The Catholic church scandal is another thing that really unnerves me.

 

[Gilpesh]

Hey Marx... don't read a history book then.

 

[The Senator]

It's just disgusting Jman. I just cannot comprehend how this can be seen as normal. These men have married girls as young as 15 years old! The Catholic church scandal is another thing that really unnerves me.

Again, it's disgusting when these guys marry fifteen year old girls, but a priest abusing a twelve-year-old altar boy is anything but shocking these days. Hell, the man who told the entire Catholic church to keep the scandal behind closed doors received a parade and a fancy White House ceremony this week (not to mention he got to stall traffic in the city which has some of the worst traffic in America). Shouldn't we do the same to Warren Jeffs? After all, when you look at the amount of children he abused versus the amount of children abused under the Catholic church, it's incomparable. You're talking a hundred or so girls versus tens of thousands of boys over the past decade.

 

[Marx]

Hey Marx... don't read a history book then.

I have read hundreds of history books Gilpesh. It still doesn't make this any less sickening.

Again, it's disgusting when these guys marry fifteen year old girls, but a priest abusing a twelve-year-old altar boy is anything but shocking these days. Hell, the man who told the entire Catholic church to keep the scandal behind closed doors received a parade and a fancy White House ceremony this week (not to mention he got to stall traffic in the city which has some of the worst traffic in America). Shouldn't we do the same to Warren Jeffs? After all, when you look at the amount of children he abused versus the amount of children abused under the Catholic church, it's incomparable. You're talking a hundred or so girls versus tens of thousands of boys over the past decade.

I find that just as disturbing.

 

[Gilpesh]

I have read hundreds of history books Gilpesh. It still doesn't make this any less sickening.

So the whole, marriage at fifteen thing in the past... doesn't bother you?

 

[Marx]

So the whole, marriage at fifteen thing in the past... doesn't bother you?

Did I miss the part where I must have said that that didn't bother me?

 

[Gilpesh]

Did I miss the part where I must have said that that didn't bother me?

So you thought it appalling that in earlier ages, women married much younger than they do now?

 

[Marx]

So you thought it appalling that in earlier ages, women married much younger than they do now?

Yes I do. I don't believe that children should be getting married. What exactly are you trying to get at?

 

[The Senator]

Yes I do. I don't believe that children should be getting married. What exactly are you trying to get at?

Children shouldn't get married. Nor should they be abused, or forced into a faith they don't want to follow. But this sort of thing happens all the time.

 

[Marx]

Children shouldn't get married. Nor should they be abused, or forced into a faith they don't want to follow. But this sort of thing happens all the time.

Which still doesn't make it acceptable in any way.

 

[Gilpesh]

Yes I do. I don't believe that children should be getting married. What exactly are you trying to get at?

Yeah children should not get married. Although the prolonged childhood of today is a new occurrence relatively speaking.

 

[The Senator]

Which still doesn't make it acceptable in any way.

Right. Yet, these churches have no problems speaking out against contraception, abortion and homosexuals, yet they partake in some of the most horrendous behavior.

 

[Marx]

Right. Yet, these churches have no problems speaking out against contraception, abortion and homosexuals, yet they partake in some of the most horrendous behavior.

And that's why I do not attend church. (That and being ridiculed in front of one the last time I was there for a service.) I strongly believe that you do not have to attend church to be religious or have faith.

 

[The Senator]

And that's why I do not attend church. (That and being ridiculed in front of one the last time I was there.) I strongly believe that you do not have to attend church to be religious or have faith.

I'm also sure the Bible speaks out against breaking into denominations... which the Catholic church was the first to ignore...

 

[StorminNorman]

I have not followed this story closely, but did the children removed not enjoy the life they were living? Or was it simply a case of the government coming in and taking children from a way of life they GOVERNMENT did not enjoy?

 

[Marx]

I have not followed this story closely, but did the children removed not enjoy the life they were living? Or was it simply a case of the government coming in and taking children from a way of life they GOVERNMENT did not enjoy?

The government was said to be contacted by a girl that was about 15 and was being forced to get married. (Which then led to the investigation and raid.)

 

[StorminNorman]

The government was said to be contacted by a girl that was about 15 and was being forced to get married. (Which then led to the investigation and raid.)

Okay, that makes me feel a bit better.

If the children were happy with the living situation - I would of had a very, very strong problem with this situation.

That being said - polygamy should be made legal. Marrying 15 year old girls away should not.

 

[Marx]

Okay, that makes me feel a bit better.

If the children were happy with the living situation - I would of had a very, very strong problem with this situation.

That being said - polygamy should be made legal. Marrying 15 year old girls away should not.

You think it should be legal Norm? Why? Don't you find it disturbing that a man marries as many women as he wants and could have upwards of a hundred children? You don't see anything wrong with that?

 

[Gilpesh]

You think it should be legal Norm? Why? Don't you find it disturbing that a man marries as many women as he wants and could have upwards of a hundred children? You don't see anything wrong with that?

That's the definition of overreaction if I've ever seen it.

 

[StorminNorman]

You think it should be legal Norm? Why? Don't you find it disturbing that a man marries as many women as he wants and could have upwards of a hundred children? You don't see anything wrong with that?

Not at all. If the women consent, and the man consents - more power to them. How is it any different than single parent homes?

Its not a choice I would make, but I wouldn't chose to have a man stick his thingy in my pooper.

 

[Marx]

That's the definition of overreaction if I've ever seen it.

Overreaction??? I am asking Norm a simple question as to why he thinks what he does. You seem to enjoy making arguments Gilpesh.

 

[SuperFerret]

You think it should be legal Norm? Why? Don't you find it disturbing that a man marries as many women as he wants and could have upwards of a hundred children? You don't see anything wrong with that?

Proliferation of the species, man. As long as it's between consenting adults, whatever happens behind closed doors is none of anyone's business.

 

[Gilpesh]

Overreaction??? I am asking Norm a simple question as to why he thinks what he does. You seem to enjoy making arguments Gilpesh.

Oh, I'm sorry. Thought that was a message posted on a public board that anyone can respond to. I didn't know suddenly I have the power to read PMs...



But you did ask a loaded question that pushed your opinion of polygamy. You used the word disturbing in your question, implying that it was.