Not really sure where to start. First of all, I have to acknowledge my church's past. I still struggle with the history of my own faith, and I've spent a lot of time trying to figure it out. However, I don't think this board is the place for any attempt at explanation or discussion of that subject.
But here's what I think about the FLDS situation:
1. The men are in complete control and they are evil.
When it comes to the government's role in the home, I'm usually inclined to say that whatever happens between consenting adults--whether it's two men, two women, or one man and three women--is between those consenting adults. When you talk about teenage girls being forced in to "spiritual marriages" that are really nothing more than sanctioned sexual relationships, you're looking at a whole different dynamic.
2. The women are probably abused in every possible way: mentally, spiritually, physically, sexually.
3. The children are the true victims.
It breaks my heart to think of how many little children were torn away from their mothers' arms; however messed up their mothers may be. These little ones don't understand that they're in danger or why they can't be with their mothers, and I suspect most of them are safe and well cared for. But it's such a confusing situation; even the ACLU, which is usually all over this kind of thing, is stumped.
4. The Texas CPS and prosecutors have messed up, and it's only going to get worse for them.
Why won't the girl who made the phone call that started this thing come forward? She was willing to risk the consequences of making the call--why not come forward now that she's away from any FLDS influence? Where is this poor girl? Well, it's probably because the 16-year-old Sarah was really a 31-year-old woman from Arizona with a likely well-founded grudge against this Barlow A-hole. And she is now under investigation for giving a false report to authorities. And what about the new reports that there are as many as four FLDS kids missing after the raid. They're not at the ranch. They're supposedly not in state custody. What the hell?
5. 1-4 are the problems. Here's my answer, and I know it's probably naive.
Go after the FLDS men with everything the governments of the United States, Texas, San Angelo can bring to bear. Our AG Shurtleff put the prophet away for life by making him an accomplice to rape. Start busting every single guy who's DNA is found in a child born of an underage girl. Then go after the elder of the church who performed the marriage. Go after the guys who served as witnessed to the marriage. Put every last one away. Remove these bastards and you remove the problem. All Texas has done is scare the hell out of a lot of kids. Still, you have to give Texas credit for doing something at all.
