Anyone else see it?
I can't stop thinking about it. That something like this still going on in my state, and not many people seeming to want to take a stand and so something about it, is embarrassing. The notion that the almighty would want adult men raping underage girls in the name of religion is appalling. Not to mention, the rampant government assistance fraud being committed, that the taxpayers are footing. The men cannot legally marry more than one woman, so the woman can portray themselves as single mothers to get food stamps and health care for free. Pretty sure God wouldn't approve of that, either. And the corrupt government in Colorado City - again, something God wouldn't approve of. And the outright lies that are being fed to these kids at an early age... such as Warren Jeffs being President of the United States. Pretty sure God doesn't approve of lying, either.
I couldn't sleep, I was thinking about it so much, and so heartbroken for these abused women and kids that are being brain washed. It really does seem like a cult. I fear that it will not end well, once Warren Jeffs (despite being behind bars) declares that they must sacrifice themselves.
Anyone else watch it? Thoughts? Feelings? Thanks for sharing!
Gamma G - You know, it's funny... I don't normally watch shows like this anymore. I made it a point, a while ago, not to watch shows that were emotional triggers, or overly negative or dark. They affect me too much.
Mrslavallie - Your feelings sound like mine and are yet another reason why I normally don't watch shows with this type of subject matter.
Mrslavallie, I hope you realize that LDS/mormons and FLDS are two completely different religions. Mormons do NOT practice polygamy, do not live sequestered lives cut off from the world, do not worship Warren Jeffs, etc. Mormons worship God and are Christians with strong values. You should check out mormon.org if you would like to know what the LDS church is like. :)
I don't watch shows like that because the effect me much like you.
I do believe that if someone's lifestyle does not effect me then it is none of my business to judge or harass them.
BUT in this case it is like you say. They are legally single women that are not married to these men and they do get food stamps and other assistance. As single women they need it, he's certainly not supporting them in any way. The only benefit they get is sex, and for that benefit they allow themselves to be brainwashed into believing that this man is somehow a representative of God and is beyond the law, that whatever he says they should do is what they should do. Give him their underage children for sex partners, give themselves to other men for those men's use, be degraded and basically a slave to him.
It is sad and beyond me that the government of the UNITED STATES of AMERICA is freely allowing this to happen, on TV shows like sister wives that glorify the "reality" of having multiple wives, that show how "normal" it is, that their kids love it and will grow up marrying into multiple wife situations, etc....it's against the law. BUT THEY DO NOTHING at all.
I think that as long as the people of the USA allow this type of programming to be on the air and to allow people to break the laws like this that there is no hope for those women who are too weak minded to make a normal life for themselves without a "man" to take care of them, meaning sex and children with the government paying their way.
I saw it and it IS sad. However, the brainwashing has already been done. When the government did step in...NONE of the women would speak up. Can't help those who don't want help.
My heart goes out to those who want out or did get out and have broken families, etc.
It's a sad situation all around. Wish I had an answer for it all...but I don't.
I caught a bit of it awhile back. I usually choose not to watch things that will truly and utterly pi$$ me off.
You don't even want to get me started on LDS or Mormonism in general, so I won't. This isn't the place. :( If I did answer your questions, it would end up being a very long rant that would probably offend at least one person, so I guess I've said enough already.
I've been watching Sister Wives and My Three Wives on TLC for a while now, mostly because the concept of polygamy is fascinating to me. Not saying I'd want to live that lifestyle myself, but it is interesting to have a little window into the world of those who do. Anyway, neither of the families portrayed follow Warren Jeffs, both families are quite modern (their kids go to public schools, they wear "normal" clothing, the parents seem completely accepting of the fact that their children may grow up and become "mainstream" Mormon rather than FLDS, etc). I found it interesting that even though these families are polygamous and are fundamentalist Mormons, THEY detest Warren Jeffs, too! THEY even view him as a cult leader! They sent their older kids (teenagers) to volunteer at an organization that helps women and children get out of the Warren Jeffs-type situations, and interviewed a few of the young ladies who had escaped. It was very sad to see how living that kind of life really traumatized the kids who had escaped.
An interesting book I recently read on the subject is The 19th Wife by David Ebershoff. It is technically a work of fiction, although the book does tell the story of Ann Eliza Young, who was Brigham Young's 19th wife (there's some debate about that, though - there are those who say she was something like the 50th wife). That was back when mainstream Mormons were into polygamy. It's a fascinating read.
Anyhow, yes, anytime women are forced to get married against their will, are forced to have dozens of children, are not allowed an education, it's not good. Especially when all of this is forced on them at such a young age. It's just very, very sad that we as "outsiders" can do so little to help them.
