Quote:
Missionary effort hurt by the whole controversy surrounding the raid on the FLDS:
Deseret News | Texas LDS deal with confusion
Just wonder how many more members we would have today if the morons ín Utah who went after Tom Green in 2001 had minded their own business? Wonder how many we will lose (potential members) due to Texas going after the FLDS in a manner that would embarass the leaders in the Chinese Communist Party?
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I can't help but wonder a little if the confusion is being purposefully created and perpetuated.
Considering politics for a minute, the timing seems all too perfect. But then again maybe others here are right, maybe I'm just a conspiracy theorist promoting child abuse.
Let me make a few things clear. First, though I brought up the same-gender issues above it was only to discuss possible similarities in the issues and to bring up something that many people can understand and have definite bias on. I did not mean to change the topic to a gender based discussion. I believe the same regarding the church's stance on same gender attraction. I do not harbor hatred towards those in this category although I do believe inside that acting upon these desires will not bring happiness. Therefore I do not feel it right to promote this as a good alternative lifestyle since I fear it will cause heartache to those who actively live and promote it. I don't want others to persecute me for believing this is wrong. I can't help but wonder what I'd do if people said that my beliefs were outdated and wrong. That I was creating hateful children and brainwashing them into religions of hate or something like that. Sound unbelieveable, right? It is already happening to some degree now. This is an issue where the tables are legally turning and that idea could potentially be coming down the path. Look at legislations and rulings. Saying you disagree can cost one dearly. Is a similar case happening for these polygamists? What is behind what they do? Do we have the right to tell them they are wrong? (They have not been out hunting people down to tell them they are wrong) Are they just pedophiles or are they people acting out what they believe based on traditions? Who are we to judge and tell them they can believe as they may? Many great men of faith had to buck the legal system to stay faithful to the principals they believed to be true.
Another point I want to make very clear. I do not like to see children harmed. If these men are abusing children and found guilty as any other person then I have no problem with them facing the consequences of their actions. As in any other case I would like the intent to be considered. Are they really just sick perverts or people living out their faith? There are other situations much more clear cut abuse. Maybe I'm totally naive but I don't believe these people think of ways to abuse or control their kids. There are people out there who don't care at all about their kids. I really don't believe that this is the case here at all. This is a close knit community even if they are eccentric and "authoritarian".
I strongly believe that these children have been done more harm through having to go through the system then they ever would have faced on the compound. These children have been thrust into an unfamiliar world. They have seen their family torn apart. There are not many options for them right now. Just uncertainty, loss and pain. After all this they will probably wind back up in the "abusive" environment after being abused by the system. Pathologies that already exist in that environment will only be compounded by what has happened. I've seen similar happen on a smaller scale.
As far as why the parents might not step forward, everyone appears to be against them. Their rights seem violated. Listen to some of the transcripts of what the people are saying. I can understand reasons why the parents would be reacting the way they are. The mothers have responsibility for the children in that environment so I can see why they would be the ones pushing for the childrens return. Besides which the men are only a bunch of pedophiles-right?
Despite all the anger and pain they have allowed people in and given tours.
As far as the welfare issue. Are they really recieving welfare for the children? Don't others receive it too? Who approved it? If they are recieving welfare than shouldn't the paperwork/ child information already be available at government offices? Why are we going through all the dna testing? I completely agree with the sentiment that they should make every effort to be self reliant and support themself.