Comments on: The women of FLDS

By: runasim

runasim — Fri, 09 May 2008 01:23:47 +0000

Lynx summed up what i've been thinking.
Then I got into trouble by continuing to think.

These isssues are clear in the present extreme case.
But i wonder about the progression from the 'normal' kind of cultural influneces to what is, eventually, extreme.

It can happen in small, unremarkable steps over time, sometimes over generations. Crossing the border to what is exreme may not even be noticed.

At what point does patriotism or tribe loyalty become nationlism and eventually, fanaticism? If it's a progression, does anyone notice?

Is this how torture came back into our arsenal in foreigh reltions?

.

By: JoeMamaL

JoeMamaL — Thu, 08 May 2008 22:12:40 +0000

The following is a great resource on polygamy from the Utah Attorney General.

"The Primer- Helping Victims of Domestic Violence and Child Abuse in Polygamous Communities"

http://www.attorneygeneral.utah.gov/polygamy/Th...

By: Lynx

Lynx — Thu, 08 May 2008 21:47:02 +0000

DLS, no suspecting necessary, it's already been shown, even amongst very young children:

http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5iIdMpRHjN4hp...

By: DLS

DLS — Thu, 08 May 2008 21:28:39 +0000

I bet X-rays of the kids would show evidence of old fractures. Just suspecting.

By: EEllis

EEllis — Thu, 08 May 2008 18:08:33 +0000

Any mother who is content to allow her 15 yo daughter to be forced to “marry” 50 yo man isn't much of a mother. I have little sympathy for them. The idea that because a few of them are in situations that allow them some freedoms doesn't begin to excuse keeping children in an environment with such rampant abuse.

By: Lynx

Lynx — Thu, 08 May 2008 17:20:00 +0000

Oh there is more than meets the eye. The assumption is that slaves, when given a chance to escape or tell their story, will not lie and will do everything they can to escape. If not that, then it's assumed that they are brainwashed BUT that this brainwashing makes them dim-witted and simple-minded, and that more sophisticated and educated people (the reporters) will easily see through any ruse.

I think this assumption is the problem. Many, maybe even most, of these women are slaves but are utterly convinced this is the right thing to do, and they will work actively to maintain this lifestyle. They will have no qualms at all about lying to reporters or to anyone, telling them what they assume they need to say (we're fine, we do this by choice, I'm perfectly free, no one ever beats me). They're lifestyle teaches them to be excellent at lying, hiding, and evading. Texas authorities have talked about how even some very young children are very deft at avoiding straight answers in response to questions.

Though FLDS has different levels of extremity (they are all extreme) the YFZ group was the worst. I would instantly doubt the veracity of any womans claim to higher education, or at the very least try to back it up with actual records. If she went to college there must be a record of that no? If you have a degree in web design could you explain this to me?

Notice how the FLDS is only showing the women. It's only the women who are giving interviews, the page only asks for children to be reunited with their mothers, it's all about the women. Where the hell are the child-raping men? They are hiding behind the skirts of their wives, since pity and sympathy may fall to them, but little pity will be given to a man who "marries" a 15 year old girl.

By: Holly_in_Cincinnati

Holly_in_Cincinnati — Thu, 08 May 2008 14:42:53 +0000

Try reading “Under the Banner of Heaven” by Jon Krakauer
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Under_the_Banner_o…