Comments on: Increasingly strange changes in the FLDS community

By: DD

DD — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 20:35:38 +0000

I have been trying to understand why these people believe what they believe but I just don't get it. They claim to be christians and yet seem to have so little regard for others feelings! The pain from cuts and bruises heal but the pain and scars from sexual and emotional abuse rarely heal. How can any loving mother look into her young daughter's crying eyes and tell her that she has to marry someone she doesn't want to marry in order to gain everlasting life? Or how does a mother leave her son in a mall because a "prophet" told her to? Can someone explain to me where this is in the Bible? The Jesus I know does not condone this behavior and I am sure he is greatly offended that these poeple do these acts while clailming to be his followers! I pray for the children!

By: KarenD

KarenD — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 18:24:53 +0000

Amanda, the US ( federal government) does not actually prohibit polygamy. Some states do. In some states it is technically permissable.

By: Caliguy55

Caliguy55 — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 14:51:19 +0000

This book once again exposes the extreme dangers of religious fanaticism. Of course, one need only study the theocracies of the Middle East and elsewhere to see what happens when ignorance and religious fanaticism join hands to destroy the human spirit. Personally, I believe that all religions are worthless - they cause more problems than they solve. However, while I'm not a member of any religion, I have read religious texts such as the Sermon on the Mount delivered by Jesus Christ (who I believe was only nominally considered a Jew). These texts set forth universal principles discoverable through the use of reason that provide an exemplary manner for humans to live in peace and harmony. If everyone followed these principles, this world would be a much better place to live.

By: ralph

ralph — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 14:15:35 +0000

A rush to judgement is wrong as we are innocent until proven guilty. history shows us too many instances where groups of poeple living apart from mainstream society do so because they have different views. unfortunately history has shown us some [actually most] of these groups views are hinged around individuals who were actually mentally un-hinged [jim jones, sun yung moon, charles manson, etc.]
the authorities in texas are just ensuring the protection of those who cannot protect themselves, are easily influenced, and taken advantage of – mainly children.
am i the only one missing something, or was warren jeffs actually convicted of child rape and imprisioned ?

By: Tracy

Tracy — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 12:50:19 +0000

Why do debates on religion continue to predominate these web-sites? A cult is not a religion. It invents one to control its members. That's what a cult does. The operative word is control We're talking about the right for a person to be free and make their own choices.. Exercise free-will. These people have had their spirits crushed. I am so tired of hearing about religion and fear of change (of clothes?) for the children. The kids will be eternally grateful in the future, when they realize what they escaped. The mere idea of sending any of them back is so scary. The new leader which will inevitably be put in place, will get them all back in line, once things settle down. These people are shuffled around and traded like livestock to supply breeders, workers and offspring as commodities. The only way it would be safe to re-unite them with their mothers would be in a new "Victim Witness" pro. situation, where they could be safe from their perpetrators. Until all the cult branches are dismantled they'll never be safe. Has anyone notice how the Catholic sex scandals got a new voice recently and was aired back-to-back w/this issue? That is no coincidence . It is an issue who's time has arrived for change and reform ,and the only thing that promotes necessary change is Awareness. This has brought attention to an issue who's time has come. Let's help these victims, women and kids, and start something new -that will enable others to find sanctuary. Let them know help is there now.

By: cc

cc — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 05:48:44 +0000

Apparently those who are defending the FLDS are forgetting that documents recording underage births have already been found. As an organization, the FLDS has already decided that it is above the law; they have made a practice of knowingly hiding illegal acts from our law enforcement. That makes it a corrupt organization, and passing judgement on the FLDS is about as heinous as passing judgement on the mafia.

By: MJ

MJ — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 04:57:39 +0000

I don't think that CPS had the right to take every last child away from their homes and parents. Very scary people, that a country like this can go in and rip families apart just because of a phone call! That is not okay and neither is child abuse. They should have gone in, interviewed the children in their homes, and if they found abuse dealt with it individualy. There is no way that all of those children are abused. Those poor children are being traumatized by being away from their families. I don't care what religion a person is, these peoples rights HAVE been violated. Government control has gone too far.....tanks and guns were brought into this compound to investigate child abuse??!!! Wake up america and stand up for these peoples rights.

By: RJM

RJM — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 04:38:38 +0000

Here's an idea: place the children in *LDS* homes (not FLDS). LDS is the mainstream religion practiced by millions that FLDS broke away from over 100 years ago. The children would be familiar with most of the morals and beliefs (minus the abusive ones the lunatics in the FLDS leadership have invented on their own).

By: Debbie

Debbie — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 04:00:11 +0000

To all of those here who chose to side with the FLDS please do some research, Look up the Lost Boys of the FLDS, Look up FLDS in general, and read up on the lifestyle they live( not the religion they practice). Would you as a mother or father abandon your son simply because he started into puberty and became competition for the 50 yr old neighbor who was slated to marry the girl next door that your son had noticed. Abandonment of children is a crime, yet they have done this for decades and gotten away with it. Really stop and think about it. Which man/boy is a young girl going to be more interested in? the 50 yr old "the Prophet" decides she shoiuld marry, or the teenage boy closer to her age? The fact that this woman had the courage to "escape" then more power to her. Her story of her life is no more "opinionated" than the woman who tells of a life of drugs, or the woman who tells of a childhood of sexual abuse, this is their life experience, not and opinion of what they "think" life would have been like. Think about being so "trained" from infancy that "Our way is right, If you don't live Our way you will go to hell, The prophet talks to God, and knows what God wants from us". Can you honestly say that you would understand the laws of the land? Or would you believe what you were raised your whole life to believe? Whether these women and children have been physically or sexually abused is still in question. The "fact" that these women and children have been emotionally and mentally abused is not. If you doubt that again do some research and you will find that they exhibit the behaviours associated with mental/emotional abuse. Which should tell us alot.

By: ana

ana — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 03:01:31 +0000

It is very sad that abuse such as the one described is still happening. Hopefully these matter can be solved soon and the real predators of these story brought to justice. Children should be allowed to go back to their families only when they are safe-out of the cult... questions is why the FLDS women are still on denial about the abuse on this cult? Some are brave enough to leave but some support it and that is very puzzling to me....

By: WOW

WOW — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 02:59:23 +0000

TO CJ, CA

Wait for what????? The doctrine of FDLS is to have very young girls "MARRY" older men, this is what they believe will get them into heaven, however it is illegal in the USA for underage girls to marry. And It is illegal for pedophiles to prey on children in these United States as well. The significant parallel between these two news stories....heinous crimes against our youth.

Maybe CJ, CA, you might want to pray for a little LIGHT to shine onto your" wait and see" attitude. It's time for TRUTH, dear!!!

By: Carmen

Carmen — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 02:36:21 +0000

If there was mearly just a few women not willing to give their husband's name or their own last name, that's one thing. Every single woman in the FLDS doesn't want to talk about anything other than their children. Why don't they want to give DNA samples to the authorities. If their isn't anything going on illegally in the compound, then why deny anthing that will help them get their children back?
Obvioulsy, there is innocent until proven guilty; but there were 13 year-old girls pregnant or already mothers! There has to be some knowledge of that church abusing their own children. The men are hiding behind skirts trying to deny any child abuse alligations. CNN isn't trying to take someone's opinion as fact. They are only reporting what those members that seek refuge as THAT person's story...not as fact.

By: Catalina

Catalina — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 01:18:10 +0000

I may strongly disagree with his ideology, but Karl Marx had it right for this kind of situation: Religion is the opiate of the masses.

Believe away all you want, but for goodness' sakes be sensible about it. Abandoning your children because your "prophet" told you so? Discarding all things with the color of red? (I guess now tomatoes, apples, radishes, and all other food products naturally red are banned now.) Whatever happened to free thought? It is truly frightening how people are so easily convinced.

By: Lili

Lili — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 21:56:31 +0000

This cult is really not much different than Jim Jones, he also was having sex with underage children and telling the followers who they could have sex with. I am surprised the US allowed it go on for so long.

By: Tami Smitherman

Tami Smitherman — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 19:12:10 +0000

I just finished Carolyn Jessop's book "Escape" and I want to know about Brent Jeffs (page 398), who filed a civil lawsuit in July 2004 against Warren Jeffs for sodomy after his brother Clayne (also a victim) shot himself in the head. Where is Brent Jeffs? Is he still alive? What has happened to his case? Is he safe? Is Brent still speaking out or has he been silenced by the pressues from the FLDS?

By: Annette Ferrin

Annette Ferrin — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 17:31:10 +0000

I haved lived in St George UT for about 30 years now, which is only about 45 miles from Colorado City and Hildale. It is also the closest large city and is where many of the polygamists shop and recieve health care. I have worked as a cashier in a grocery store and at a Medical Clinic, so I know personally that most of the polygamist live off food stamps and welfare, and use Medicaid and Medicare for their health care needs, so we all are funding their lifestyle. Personally I don't care if someone choses to be Polygamist IF it is THEIR choice as an adult over 18, and IF they can take care of themselves financially.
I personally know a family who left the community because they didn't want their young teenaged daughter to be forced to marry an old men. I have a friend from there who told me about a family he knows whose young teenaged son was abandoned in a Mall in Las Vegas because his parents were told to do so by their "prophet". These "lost boys" are kicked out and abandoned by their community because they would be in competition with the older men for wives. Sadly, many feel like they are doomed to go to hell because of being indoctrinated that the only salvation lies in being a faithful member FLDS church.
Child abuse happens in all societes, but is usally not encouraged or condoned by those in authority. To me, this is the real issue and the one we need to keep in mind.

By: Noelle

Noelle — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 16:02:11 +0000

Its not wrong for people to 'tell their story' but its wrong for people to take it at face value without background information. A few women, fearing their abusig husbands left the sect.
1. They left, the obviously had SOME free will, or they would still be there, afraid to wear red!
2. Only a few left, likely because only a few were being mistreated. (Not to say all the mistreated left, but just because 5 battered women leave one neighborhood, doesn't mean the 200 remaining, are all battered)
3. Realize, this woman speaks from an intensly bias standpoint. She viewed things from her mistreated life, and saw a few others mistreated, she is angry and hurt (justifyable). Of course she hates this group, the man from this group, that she married, mistreated her! Abuse victims, speak out against the entire catholic church, that doesn't make the whole church evil it makes the abusers criminals. This whole group isn't criminal, a few members are!

By: Jtorres

Jtorres — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 15:35:47 +0000

Carolyn, thank you so much for sharing this story. I bought your book on Saturday last and finished it by Sunday night. I couldn't put it down. Now my daughter is reading it and we are both shocked by the abuse you survived.

I am so happy for your freedom and I think you're a very courageous woman. I would love to know how Betty is and I wonder if she's left the FLDS. I'm so happy for you and Brian and I hope that you have every happiness.

Thank you for sharing your pain so that we can all learn what goes on inside of this horrible cult. These children may be going through a time of confusion right now, but they have a chance for a different future, free of oppression and slavery. I hope that you are allowed to reach out to some of these women and children, since you probably know quite a few of them. May the REAL God of unconditional love bless you and all your family.

By: BDS

BDS — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 15:35:32 +0000

The bottom line is this: Children are being abused sexually! It's about using the word of God and your authority to manipulate young hungry minds. It may not be EVERY family in the sect but the law is if one is being abused then all need to be removed from the "possible" danger until an investigation is complete! Young girls are being threatned with their salvation to submit to sexual abuse by grown men who should be ashamed of themselves! The word of God says to follow the laws of your land. If you were a sincere believer in God you would know and accept this and realize it is against the law to MOLEST young girls!!!!!!!!!!!

By: egh

egh — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 15:32:11 +0000

Wow, CJ, what would it take to get it through to you that these women are telling the truth? Do you perhaps need to live there for a few years yourself? Geez, if anyone needs to calm down, lady, its definitely you. These women have and are being abused in the worst possible way.

Carolyn, thank you for your bravery. I applaud you for educating the rest (or most, anyway lol) of us.