Now, you may completely disagree with the FLDS sect led by Warren Jeffs, which I do. But, the whole situation greatly disturbs me.
Why? you may ask.
Because, what was done to the people who lived on the polygamist ranch flies in the face of religious freedom.
Now, I agree that if there is child abuse going on there, then something must be done.
But, there is no proof that any child abuse has occurred. They can't even find the "16 year old girl" who made the allegations which caused all of this.
As for the allegations that under aged girls are being given in marriage to older men, still there is no proof.
But, even if that part is true, was not Mary given in marriage to Joseph at about 12-14 years of age?
What about the polygamy? Isn't that against the law?
Yes, but it shouldn't be.
Now, I will preface this with saying that I am not a polygamist and don't want to be.
But, I do not believe that polygamy is a sin.
And actually, that doesn't even matter.
What matters in all of this is that if we say that in America, you are free to practice the religion of your choice, then we must honor the religious practices of others. I am not saying that you have to agree. For, we know that Jesus Christ is the only way unto salvation and most of us would agree that the FLDS sect is in serious error.
However, if a person's religion includes the practice of polygamy, arranged marriages or even early marriages, then so be it. That's what religious freedom is about.
What if your children were taken away from you because of your religious beliefs?
You know, not many people realize that those who are part of the FLDS faith, believe that to forsake polygamy is to be condemned. To many of them, the forsaking of polygamy is the equivalent to receiving the mark of the beast.
And, maybe they are "brainwashed." But, do you not raise your children up in the way that you believe they should go? And, rightly so!
But, just imagine if you had to choose between the mark of the beast and your children. What would you do if it were you, not them who had to choose?
This calls to memory the words of concentration camp survivor Martin neimoller:
First they came for the Communists,
and I didn’t speak up,
because I wasn’t a Communist.
Then they came for the Jews,
and I didn’t speak up,
because I wasn’t a Jew.
Then they came for the Catholics,
and I didn’t speak up,
because I was a Protestant.
Then they came for me,
and by that time there was no one left to speak up for me.
It doesn't matter that we disagree with the faith of these people, as freedom of religion progresses in being stripped away, the sword will eventually fall upon your our households as well. The time is drawing near when religion will be a state regulated practice for all of us, not just the "Mormons."
When the time comes, will you obey "the laws of man", or will you obey the laws of God?
4 comments:
The LAWS of God??? Therein lies the crux of the matter: does it not??? For how can there truly be more than one in regards unto any particular matter???
If the authorities made up a pretense to get into the FLDS compound, that's wrong. But if they had good information that gave the impression that children were being abused, then I can't blame them.
I'm sorry the mothers have to be separated from their kids... but just because the 16-year-old caller can't be found, that doesn't mean there is no evidence.
There are girls as young as 13 who are pregnant and girl a bit older who are also mothers. Now, if these girls are underage and pregnant or already have kids, then that is evidence.
I have nothing against religious freedom (I'd be a fool if I did), but sects like these can be dangerous...especially when kids (especially girls) cannot choose to be there or to leave. I've even read that some of their practices involved kicking out young men so as not to have competition in relation to the older men who want more wives.
Whatever the case, I say better safe than sorry. Children must be protected and their rights must be upheld as well. Even before freedom of religion is upheld and protected. What is a society when its children are neglected and put on the rear burner?
lavrai,
I can definitely see your point, and I agree that religious sects can be dangerous, just look at some of the Satanic sects in the past such as the Hell Fire Club, which engaged in human sacrifice. Or, Jonestown and their preferences in deadly kool-aid.
My point however is that the religious freedom issue is a thin line. When the "witch hunt" begins, no one will be able to stop it. This is the beginning of the process which will set into place the global religion. It will not be brought to an end until Jesus comes back. And, if you think that you will be raptured and so escape the soon coming persecution, then you sorrowfully mistaken.
If the government were truly worried about the welfare of children, there are plenty of children that need to be removed from there homes(children who are in MUCH worse positions of than the ones raised on the FLDS Ranch), not to mention, they could be doing something about the killing of unborn children. We can't have 13 year old girls getting pregnant, thats child abuse, but its okay to abort unborn babies. The government does not care about right and wrong, nor does it have your children best interest in mind.
Interesting how much of your, and I think many peoples, issues with how this fiasco was handled are now coming to light. The court agrees and it is becoming apparent that the state was hiding evidence that they were in fact holding adults as minors. This is showing a govt. getting to powerful for the common good.
Post a Comment