Utah must stamp out abuses within polygamist enclaves
 
Opinions
Provo Daily Herald
 
We ask that the governing bodies and people of Utah be more willing and determined to interfere with Utah's polygamist communities now hiding behind the ideas of "religious freedom," "consenting adults," and "parental permission."

If these people truly lived with respect for families and children and with only voluntary participation, than we would be more willing to concede that we should be tolerant.

However, underage girls being forced into marriages against their will is rape and slavery. Having so many children that one cannot remember all of their names nor provide financially for their needs is cruel and irresponsible.

These things cannot be reasonably compared to the kind of polygamy practiced by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the past. That kind of polygamy was truly consensual and only permitted when a man was capable of taking care of extra families. Abuses of the system were dealt with accordingly.

Surely not all of these polygamous families are guilty of these offenses, but we must intervene when they are. We must call it what it is and insist that rape, slavery, abuse and neglect be inexcusable.

Bryan and Alisa Terry,

Provo
 
harktheherald.com
Originally published July 20, 2005
 
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