Yet another religious cult raided

[kandrathe]

I'm not sure we'll reach any agreement here, but I think it is silly to suggest that, because they hold extreme opinions about sex and lust, that somehow they are immune to the basic biological urges shared by almost all humans. The remarkable number of cases of extreme hypocrisy, where a fundamentalist religious leader (from any religion) preaches total sexual control and is then caught with a young girl/boy/hooker/gigolo/whatever puts the lie to that suggestion.

And yes, I have talked to many religious fundamentalists about sex and lust. I've also seen many make terrible decisions over lust, like getting married and divorced in rapid succession because they were clearly trying (and failing) to reconcile their extreme faith with their innate sexuality.

Are you really trying to suggest that it's impossible (or even terribly unlikely) for a religious fundamentalist leader to be a pervy old man?

Certainly some individuals identifying themselves as religious (like Tammy Faye and Jim Baker) are noteworthy failures and iconic figures in the tabloids and scandal rags. But, to then characterize every religious leader or man as essentially lustful and plagued with perverted thoughts is painting with a pretty broad bigoted brush. Yes, it is possible some men beat their wives, and some of these men marry under aged girls and maybe some of them do so with impure intentions. I don't think that is generally the FLDS motivation. Whenever there is evidence of a crime the proper authorities should investigate and bring the individuals responsible to justice. But, did that happen in this case?

Funnily enough, the Supreme Court decision that determined that your interpretation is incorrect was apparently Reynolds vs. the United States, which was over Mormon polygamy. The right to religious freedom does not extend to the ability to break the law. The state cannot make laws establishing religion, but once they've made a law for non-religious reasons, "it's my faith" is not an impenetrable defense, and certainly not in cases of cult polygamy. The test is apparently compelling interest, and physical or sexual abuse almost certainly qualifies.

I agree with you, as I commented to TD. The basis of their decision was "The fact that a person could only be married to one person had existed since the times of King James I of England in English law on which United States law was based."