Polygamy sect in fury at child abuse claims
Mothers from a polygamy sect raided over allegations of child abuse show the strain yesterday as they blast authorities for separating them from their children.
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POLYGAMIST RANCH
"We will never learn the full truth as long as there are adults who encourage a code of silence and stand over the children's shoulders coaching them," said Darrell Azar, a spokesman with the Department of Family and Protective Services.
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Also on Tuesday, photos and video released by a sect spokesman showed authorities in body armor and with automatic weapons on the raid of the compound.
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Polygamous mystery: Does allegedly abused teen bride 'Sarah' exist?
Thirteen days have passed since Texas authorities entered a polygamous sect's ranch in Eldorado and removed every child living there, but they still do not know if they have the 16-year-old whose calls for help moved them to act.
And there are questions about whether she really exists.
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Polygamist Mothers Speak Out About Separation
Some mothers at a polygamist ranch in Texas say they were forced to leave their children after state officials took custody of them. Only mothers with young children have been able to stay with their kids.
THIS IS ABUSE NO MATTER WHAT. JUST LOOK AT THESE WOMEN WHEN THEY ARE TALKING TO THE PRESS. THEY CAN'T EVEN ANSWER THE QUESTIONS BECAUSE THEY HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THIS IS RIGHT IN THE EYES OF GOD FROM BIRTH!!
ReplyDeleteI GREW UP IN A FUNDIMENTAL CHURCH, WE DRESSED LIKE THESE WOMEN, DIDN'T GO TO THE MOVIES, DIDN'T WATCH TV, DIDN'T DO A LOT OF THINGS BUT WE DID GO TO PUBLIC SCHOOL AND WERE NOT ON A RANCH IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE. WE SAW ENOUGH OF THE OUTSIDE WORLD TO KNOW THAT WE HAD A LIFE STYLE THAT WASN'T THE SAME AS MOST PEOPLE.
YES, THOSE WOMEN AND CHILDREN ARE ABUSED. AND THE VERY IDEA THAT ANY OF THOSE WOMEN CHOSE TO GO BACK IS BEYOND BELIEF. I AM SURE THAT THEY THINK THEY WILL GO TO HELL IF THEY DON'T GO BACK.
I WONDER IF ANYONE ASKED THESE WOMEN HOW OLD THEY WERE WHEN THEY WERE FORCED TO MARRY A MAN OLD ENOUGH BE TO BE A GRANDFATHER?
My, how enlightened you are.
ReplyDeleteInstead of investigating each individual alleged case as they would normally do, the government instead decided it was their right to take away everyone's child. This might sound OK if it doesn't apply to you but it's a horrifying event and a very dangeruos precedent. This has never been done before in the US. If it were happening in another country then we'd be outraged. Here in the US many are pointing fingers at the FLDS because they're "weird". Instead of removing the children en-masse, they should have done this properly and investigated each case. At worst, each accused man could have been arrested. In case you don't know it, in almost all cases of accused molestation, children are not immediately removed from the situation. This is because nothing has been proven. Only in the case of "weird" religious nuts does the government make wild accusations like this. Why? Because they're different. Just wait until the Texas Govt. decides that you're a bit too weird as well.
ReplyDeleteThese mothers have the right to be with their children. Why not issue an order giving the women and children the right to stay in their homes
ReplyDeleteand issue a restraining order until the Social Work can be done properly.
Deprograming of Religious minors by the State should be considered way out of line--anywhere, in any country and whatever the age of the deprogramee.
Kathleen
They went looking for someone who called and reported a crime (crimes) occurring at a ranch. The police get there and it becomes painfully clear that girls under the age of 16 are pregnant or have children. Officers ask girls if they are married, they answer yes. Then asked how old they are they look to a much older husband and he answers for them, you are 18. The kids are all taken, the mothers hold press conferences, and the mothers are asked if they were married or had children before they were 16. They don't answer. WHAT THE HELL!
ReplyDeleteIt is obvious to most the world that something is fishy is going on there. Religious freedom, sure. Freedom of religion regardless of all else, NO WAY! Mainstream Mormonism, which does believe in polygamy, does not practice it because society as a whole has deemed it unlawful.
It is not doubt known to everybody on that ranch, or at least the men, that girls under the age of 16 can not legally marry in the state of Texas. I have a hard time even accepting a 16 girl being married and in my experience it is a rare occurrence hopefully reflecting a more mature 16 year old and a husband that is also 16 but no older than 20-21.
Something is up on that ranch and with that church. I have do doubt laws are being broken and children are being abused.
If in a court of law, it can be proved otherwise, I hope that is the outcome. I believe what actually come out in the end is a system of indoctrination of children to believe it is OK for children to be spiritually married to men in polygamist marriages and with not much regard for the wishes of those children. Eventually, those children grow up, become adults and carry on that tradition. I was babtised as a Morman 8 year old. Did I really know what was going on, NO! Luckily, I don't live on a ranch were I don't have a choice to be or not be a certian reiligon. Don't let anyone kid you that anyone can just leave. That statement is a complete joke.
As far as I can tell, Texas is doing a pretty good job at making sure everything is OK on that ranch and that those children (made mothers) get all the protection they need.
Keeping all the ugliness and truth about the world from anyone, adults or children and whether it be a polygamist ranch in Texas or a Christian farm in Alaska is a bad idea. In my opinion it will most likely lead to a something bad.
I have been thinking about those children, their mothers and the men of that community every day since the story broke. I hope the best for all of them.