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Should child abuse be allowed in the name of religion?
Sect leaders at a polygamist compound in West Texas refused Saturday to let authorities search a temple for a teenage girl whose report of abuse led to the raid, and authorities said they were preparing “for the worst.” Authorities say more than 400 children have been taken from a polygamist compound and placed in state custody as they continue to investigate whether one of them had been an underage bride. A search warrant authorized troopers to enter the retreat, run by the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. They are looking for evidence of a marriage between the girl and a 50-year-old man. Court documents the girl had a baby eight months ago, when she was 15. Under Texas law, girls younger than 16 cannot marry, even with parental approval. The Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints broke away from the Mormon Church after the latter disavowed polygamy more than a century ago. “In my opinion, this is the largest endeavor we’ve ever been involved in the state of Texas,” said Children’s Protective Services spokesman Marleigh Meisner, who said the agency was also involved in the 1993 siege of the Branch Davidian compound in Waco. {Associated Press}
One has to wonder how folks can get so messed up in their beliefs. Am I old fashion in thinking that it’s morally wrong for a child be forced to marry a 50 year old man? Do my fellow bloggers not see any problem with what has been going on in this compound in the name of Religion?
But I shouldn’t be surprised, it happened at the Davidian compound too right? But does that make it right? I should also remember that II Timothy 4:3 states that there would come a time when people would not endure “SOUND DOCTRINE” and would look for teachers to scratch their itching ears.
So- is there anybody out there that thinks these folks have gotten away from sound doctrine? Anyone out there think that child abuse should be allowed in the name of religion?
Comments
By Obadiah Sheeply, Jr.
April 7, 2008 11:05 PM | Link to this
I have to say I’m with you on this one, Joe. Lest one have any doubts about Fundamentalist Mormanism, read Jon Krakauer’s UNER THE BANNER OF HEAVEN.
To me this borders on the same issue as the couple who refused to get medical help for their child. To me that was child neglect, a crime. This is child abuse, also a crime.
By :)
April 7, 2008 11:46 PM | Link to this
I totally agree that these people are sick, they are not serving the God I serve, and any injury physically or sexually to a child, or any exploitation of children or pre-adults is not of God. I know it was much different in biblical times, marriages were not only arranged in the bible but in many religions and also in some countries today, but only to preserve and secure the future of young women that needed to depend on a man to provide for them. In 2008, women can fend for themselves (at least in more financially secure countries) and the situation has changed somewhat. So, its not right and is not a Christian thing to do. The new testament is full of examples of Paul correcting many churches on false doctrines, so why would we ever think it would stop in the present.
:)
By Nelson
April 8, 2008 10:52 AM | Link to this
The world has entered into and abominated the teachings of Christ and His apostles. This is only another example of how far, some Christians have fallen into abusing the grace and mercy our Father has extended to us.
All the teachings for personal gain have corrupted the Word and continually harms those entangled in those snares. The Pharisees have returned in full force to destroy the many gifts that Jesus gave us on the cross, by His blood.
So many verses in the bible show us that the greatest threat to the church will come from the inside and it is occurring at an alarming rate. Turn to the Word of God and repent “ye sinners” for the Kingdom of Heaven is near.
Have a nice eternity :-)
By Jeff
April 8, 2008 5:48 PM | Link to this
I agree with you pastor. Of course, anything you say that comes straight out of the Bible I’ll probably agree with. Many are getting their “ears itched” these days, though. This type of living should have been investigated years ago. I guarantee you if it was a group of Christians opening a prayer compound, it probably wouldn’t have gone through. Since it was a non-Christian religion (Don’t be fooled by Jesus’ name in the title), they were probably encouraged to move on with little hinderance or investigation, until it got out of hand. We need to pray for these children, because they will not trust any “religious” people for a long time. May God reach them directly.