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Texas: All YFZ children at risk because of common belief system
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This is where the First Amendment comes to play. Government can ban child abuse but not specific religious teachings.
These are merely beliefs and current norms. I expect that most people reading this comment will have heard the theory that at the time of Christ, in the Jewish community, it was common for a girl to marry at the young age we are talking about here. Perhaps even Mary, the mother of the Savior, could have given birth to Him at such a young age. Would this say that the Father believes it is "unhealthy" for a teenage young woman to be married and have children?
Why are Texas authorities against a village raising a child? And liberal Hillary said it, so it must be so. But I guess it depends on what the village believes!
I thought the First Ammendment was still in effect.
This village of FLDS are not allowed to teach their children their beliefs! Granted the child abuse is a different question, but beliefs, the state has no right to keep children from their mothers because of their beliefs.
So what's wrong with that?
Catholics call nuns "sister" and priests "father", etc.
Thinking of each other as brothers and sisters might go a long way toward curing a lot of social ills IMHO. Maybe we should all try it.
As an ex-Texan, I have lost all respect for that state's oppressive government and the sheeple that allow it. Texas CPS continues throwing stuff at the wall hoping something will stick.
No identifiable family unit smaller than the entire group.
All children subject to the whims of one man.
Children brainwashed to accept statutory rape as a normal activity.
Most "wives" having multiple children without any legal husband.
Children with no idea who their actual mother or father are.
The more we learn the worse it gets.
Texas officials should be applauded.
Call it a commune or a cult or "religion"; the facts are the same; children raised in unsafe circumstances that guarantee each and every child will in turn be abused.
Just the thought of someone coming in and removing my children because they do feel threatened by my peculiar believes is criminal. You must not have children or you'd never even come close to calling it justifiable for Texas to rip the children from their homes and mothers. I have no respect for Texas and hope some higher power will finally intervene.
Down with the Texas Tyrants!
As for the opportunity to cross examine - in no way did each parent get that opportunity. Let's say mother with a 13 year old girl was planning to leave if her daughter was ever order to marry under 18, but just did not want to announce that fact. Why should she have her children taken away?
Does anyone know how long it will take to get to Federal Court? Since Texas judges are elected, they will do anything, even if it is unconstitutional, to make these simple minded Texas people happy.
I really don't think it's fair to blame them for anything in this case. They have been rather supportive of the FLDS during this ordeal.
attorneys for parents and children said they had certified birth certificates, social security numbers, Texas drivers licenses and even tax returns that could be used ....to validate names and ages.
But Voss said the documents would not be acceptable, suggesting some certificates might be forged.
And Judge Barbara Walther agreed.
"How do you know, in today's world of identity theft, a birth certificate is proof of who they are?" the judge asked
Texas looks like it's pushing the envelope of this 100+ year old precedent. It's making a case that it can penalize people, by taking away their children, based specifically on what they believe -- not on anything they've actually done.
Then this applies to every kid in every school in the country. Kids only go to school because someone says they must. Ask any kid why they go to school!!
In inner city school, kids make the choice to go do something other than school every day.
Free the kids, what an absurd statement!! Come free me, I don't want to go to work anymore!! My parents made me go to work 50 years ago!!