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 Prairie JusticePosted on Sep 20, 2007BOSTON—I’m glad I didn’t fall for the latest Internet hoax. MarryOurDaughter.com? Hello? Did the millions who clicked onto this site actually think there were parents out there putting a bridal price on the head of their 15-year-old Ashley ($37,500) or 16-year-old Kristin ($49,995)? The hoax proved to be the brainchild of John Ordover, a Brooklyn man practicing his viral marketing skills. It was Ordover who hyped this site as an “introduction service assisting those following the biblical tradition of arranging marriages for their daughters.” But before you deep-six your most paranoid fantasy about the arranged marriages of young girls, let us turn to reality. In a courtroom in St. George, Utah, there is a defendant named Warren Jeffs who surely regards himself as a celestial matchmaker. Jeffs is the autocrat and reigning prophet of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (FLDS), a polygamous community of about 10,000 that regards itself as the one true Mormon faith. It survives much to the embarrassment of mainstream Mormons, who gave up polygamy in 1890, and much to the horror of the state. Jeffs is either deeply creepy or downright evil depending on how you label religious leaders who consider themselves the voice of God and marry multiple women, including 30 of their late father’s youngest widows. He is infamous, among other things, for kicking hundreds of teenage boys out of his community and matching hundreds of their sisters into plural marriages. For those hooked on “Big Love,” Jeffs makes Alby Grant look appealing. But the man is not on trial for being a polygamist, let alone a creep. As the judge and prosecutor told the jury, this case is not about polygamy. Jeffs is being tried as an accessory to rape. He’s charged with intentionally aiding the sexual assault of a 14-year-old girl by her husband. To hear the alleged victim, known only as Jane Doe, describe her marriage is to be as deeply saddened as the jury was. After resisting Jeffs’ order to marry her 19-year-old first cousin, she found herself at the altar, head hanging, forcing out the words, “OK, I do.” After refusing sex, she went back to Jeffs for counsel and was told to “repent,” to “do your duty,” and be “obedient.” And so the girl who didn’t know what sex was or where children came from says she was forced to submit to her husband. Did this teenager make her own choice? We forget how the rules governing consent have changed. Conflicting state laws now navigate between a girl’s sexual maturity and her vulnerability. In many states, including Utah, a girl can marry with her parents’ permission at a younger age than she can have sex. But this case raises a different question about consent. How much power did the religious leader wield over the 14-year-old? If you refused to marry the chosen husband, Doe testified, you would “lose your chance at salvation.” How could she refuse to obey the husband who was “my ticket into heaven”? No, polygamy is not on trial. But its history is interwoven with questions of consent. Opponents to plural marriage in the 19th century included women’s rights advocates who equated polygamy with slavery. No mature woman, they believed, would voluntarily enslave herself. In the late 20th century, the idea arose that consenting adults could make their own sexual arrangements from serial monogamy to, well, polygamy. Indeed, at this trial, FLDS women described themselves as “empowered.” But the view of polygamy as just another lifestyle choice has been countered by the growing evidence of communities rife with abuse. Doe’s forced marriage falls easily into the moral category of child abuse. So I sympathize with the desire to get Warren Jeffs. Get Al Capone for tax evasion. Get O.J. for chasing down his memorabilia. But I’m troubled by the charge that Jeffs is an accessory to felony rape. University of Utah law professor Daniel Medwed calls it “an ill-fitting suit draped over this case.” I’m afraid he’s right. The argument is that Jeffs told Doe to submit or be damned. It will be hard enough to prove that he was explicit in encouraging rape by her husband. For that matter, how can you convict a man as an accessory to rape when the alleged rapist himself—the husband—hasn’t been charged? On the stand, he denied forcing her. This case highlights what it’s like to be a girl imprisoned in the FLDS world. Have no tolerance for a community, even a religious one, that so estranges its young from shared values, including liberty. But this charge doesn’t fit Warren Jeffs’ moral trespasses. It’s too much. And way, way, too little. Ellen Goodman’s e-mail address is ellengoodman(at)globe.com. © 2007, Washington Post Writers Group Previous item: An Obituary for the Free Press Next item: Hillary's Healthy Turnaround Elsewhere: . CommentsAre you a Truthdig member yet? Login now, or register with Truthdig. Add Your Comment |
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By farmertx, October 10, 2007 at 8:44 pm #
JaneW
Report thisYou are right about the problems and the need for action.
But your comment about leaders running for office kinda sounds like a dig at Romney.
While he has no support from me, his being a Mormon is not a sign that he condones such things.
The Mormon Church disavowed polygamy years ago and only an isolated sect still teaches that; the one Jeffs is the leader of. His perverts had to move far away from the other Mormons and have even started leaving Utah altogether, they are so unwanted.
By Jane W, October 10, 2007 at 6:25 pm #
(Unregistered commenter)
The mainstream U.S. public generally thinks its culture and laws have evolved over time to bring the greatest amount of freedom and liberty to its citizens. And we recognize that, in polygamy, women and girls always lose.
The real horror in all of this is that we allow this to continue to happen, where young girls are brainwashed by groups of freaks to think they have no way out and that they must submit against their will to something they feel deep within is evil and distasteful.
These polygamists are living off our national welfare system, yet not allowing their children the protection of our laws. Parents are so brainwashed they allow their young boys to be tossed homeless on the streets of what they have been taught to believe is the evil world of the “gentiles.” Parents who allow their young daughters to be molested and their young sons to be banished from the community obviously have been deeply brainwashed.
The leaders of these groups are running for office, trying to gain power so they can change the laws to fit their sick brainwashed belief system.
The little girls should be removed from this environment--immediately. Whatever people say, we know even from women who “believe” they somehow serve “God” through their “sacrifice” that they harbor deep negative feelings. But they’ve been brainwashed to believe it’s what they “should” do, or they believe it’s the only way they’ll ever have a family--or they’ll burn in hell.
We need to study belief, and what makes people so gullible--so easily brainwashed that they give up their personal power, their freedom, and fail to heed their inner voice that tells them this is not “good.”
And we need to change our law, where it doesn’t already exist, to be clear that we can remove children from such sick environments.
Report thisBy Frosted Flake, September 28, 2007 at 5:40 am #
(Unregistered commenter)
Are Women Property?
How about Girls?
Supposing you said, “yes.”, then Whose property? Their own? Their parents’? Their Governments’? Their gods’? The real Gods’? Or are these underage girls the property of the local priest?
Suppose your local priest knocked on your door and told you who your fourteen year old was going to marry? How would that work out? Would that be because you are personally offended - that your prerogative has been usurped? Or because you are willing to defend your daughters right, against any or all, come hell or high water?
Yes, this post is late, perhaps last. I wanted to see if the point would be raised by another. It seems not to have been. Perhaps because we hear so often it is impolite to criticize anothers’ religion. This, to avoid pointless battles, and associated acrimony. But on this occasion, there is a point.
There are only two religions. There is the one that hopes to assist you. There is the other that demands you obey. I ask again, are Women property? And how about Girls? What gives such as Jeffs the right to decide who another shall marry? Has he this right? Is there any such right?
This is the point that I wish had been raised.
And here is the punchline. When a young Girl, married by force, extends her hand and begs our help, do we give her the protection we would hope for, were roles reversed? Or do we obey the priest, and leave the child in the hands now wrapped around her hips?
This is not about Celestial Matters. The question asked, explicitly, is : which is the more authoritative? The law (which we can and do change whenever we find a way to improve it) or some whacked out preacher who claims to speak with the voice of God?
Report thisBy univark2, September 26, 2007 at 10:21 am #
Well yes and no. A 14-year-old is held sway by the authorities in her life, particularly when they are of a shaming, religious-salvation nature and she has no other influence or outlet to turn to in order to rebel; to seek an alternative path. And this group, in particular, is extremely cut off from the rest of the world.
As an example (and this recently came up in our home, bringing it to the front of my thoughts on this issue), I find it interesting and not just a little disturbing that I can tell my almost-fourteen daughter and my 16-year-old son, “You may not have this person as your friend. They are unhealthy,” or “You may not participate in this or that.” Instead of sneaking around and doing it, they may protest the rule, but they more frequently than not adhere to it. Any attentive parent can attest to the psychological attachment their children have to their authority, and how much it crushes their spirit to be rejected by their parents.
Growing up the daughter of missionaries, too, I saw the power the church adults had over the children. Fortunately, we were in the world, exposed to other loving adults outside the church, so were able to choose different paths. The authoritative power is somewhat weakened when this is the case. But I can remember the intense moral, emotional, spiritual and psychological need as a child to follow the elders’ words of instruction and advice in order to feel at peace, and loved.
This girl—these girls and women—in the FLDS are indeed victims of their leader. Further reading (I suggest Under the Banner of Heaven, which was written just after Warren took over) suggests the community is afraid of him, that he exhibits a neurosis that keeps them from feeling protected. Warren Jeffs was definitely an accomplice to rape and I think that the law should slam him hard for ordering this young girl into a sexual relationship.
Report thisBy Steve, September 26, 2007 at 5:51 am #
(Unregistered commenter)
Why wait for virgins in the sky when you can have them right here on earth?
Report thisBy Louise, September 20, 2007 at 6:45 pm #
All organized religion is ... well, organized.
By men.
For that reason and that reason alone, all organized religion has the potential for becoming wicked in the extreme. Because all men, and women for that matter, have the potential for becoming wicked in the extreme.
Power corrupts. Absolute power corrupts absolutely.
That’s just the nature of the beast called human.
If you doubt that, take another good long look at how our nation is being governed.
Men who decide speaking for God is a great way to gain income, or power, or control over the lives of others, will eagerly play the “God” role. And when necessary, the devils too, condemning one and all who do not listen to him specifically, to eternal damnation.
Billy Graham does it. The Pope does it. And fundamentalist polygamists do it.
No free rides here.
When someone is given permission to control and brainwash a small child with the explicit threat of eternal damnation if they don’t obey, they are little more than engaging in a form of torture.
Perhaps the Court in St. George feels the horrible ham-string of having to condemn the man without condemning all religion that seeks to control others. Particularly the very young and vulnerable and female others. Because such is the nature of organized religion.
Report thisBy farmertx, September 20, 2007 at 6:28 pm #
Re:#101662 by waxman on 9/20 at 3:38 pm
(36 comments total)
To be fair, the Mormon Church turned its back on polygamy long ago.
Report thisThis bunch of fanatics are an offshoot, or breakaway sect, concentrated around St George, UT in the SW corner of the State with some across the line in AZ.
The authorities were pressing in on them and Jeffs bought some land around El Dorado (I believe) in West Texas and built a commune there.
Mitt has enough on his plate with all his various flip flops, depending on which way the wind blows, without this attaching to him.
Although you are right about the others having multiple wives, just unknown to the current legal wife at the time. Says alot about Family Values, doesn’t it?
Almost as much as ol’ Newt leaving his wife suffering from Cancer in the hospital so he could take up with his then girl friend. Sure hope she doesn’t get an incurable disease, or a younger woman come around.
By waxman, September 20, 2007 at 3:38 pm #
SEE WHAT YOU GET WHEN YOU VOTE FOR MITT’.. ‘’’’’’AND THEN MAYBE RUDY,FRED,MC CAIN SHOULD HAVE BEEN MORMANS[MULTIPLE] WIVES....
Report thisBy Outraged, September 20, 2007 at 9:01 am #
“This case highlights what it’s like to be a girl imprisoned in the FLDS world.”
This quote from the article is accurate and in my view you expertly answer your own question of:
“How much power did the religious leader wield over the 14-year-old?”
Yes, this 14 yr. old girl WAS imprisoned in the FLDS world. She was born into it. It was not only taught to her but EVERY aspect of her environment dictated it. This environment was ruled by Warren Jeffs.
The community Warren Jeffs ran was a very closed community. Strangers were NOT welcome. One did not even have to dissent to be exiled from it. The young boys were a threat to the control of HIS community and were therefore banished. This exemplifies the CONTROL Warren Jeffs had on this community and everyone in it including these young girls.
To say a “prison warden” doesn’t have the ability to coerce compliance is ludicrous. Of course they do. This was a 14 yr old girl who’s whole world was Warren Jeffs community. He controlled the schools, the work, the family arrangement and connections to the outside world. Warren Jeff’s community WAS the reality of the world as far as this 14 yr old girl knew. But Warren Jeffs needed a more authoritative “presence” to bind his followers, especially as they reached adulthood, so he used religion.
There isn’t a doubt in my mind that this young girl “knew” that she had to listen to Warren Jeffs, an elder...GOD’S SPOKESPERSON! If she did not, he told her she would find disfavor with god and that would mean she would be eternally DAMNED. This would be much worse than the boys who were exiled, since they wouldn’t necessarily be in “disfavor with god”, they were just exiled, which of course is not as bad as ETERNAL DAMNATION.
Report thisBy hackerguitar, September 20, 2007 at 8:40 am #
I’m not certain that I agree with Ms. Goodman, who I usually find right on target. Warren Jeffs’ behaviors - kicking hundreds of young men out of his community in an attempt to reduce competition for women, the various forced marriages and other legally-questionable or outright unlawful coercive behavior - deserves close scrutiny. The law in UT and AZ has been attempting to get a purchase on him for these crimes for some time, and I suspect that this is only the start....at least, I hope so. While any conviction will lead to some level of martyrdom for his followers, imprisonment may help the community see where it’s gone off the rails, and (in the best of all possible worlds) start fixing itself.
Of course, it IS a fundamentalist church, and the internally-consistent logic of the belief structure may prevent any remediation of behavior with or without Jeffs’ presence. That’s just the nature of millenial religion.
Report thisBy dp, September 20, 2007 at 8:06 am #
(Unregistered commenter)
I would just add to #101564, that the problems are magnified when law enforcement pussy foots around the laws, so as not to offend the law breakers. Since the attempt in the 50’s to end polygamy in Utah so backfired, there has been a tacit approval of these offshoots by the way law enforcement has looked the other way whenever possible. Why don’t they just charge Jeffs (and the few others they’ve bothered to prosecute) with polygamy? It IS against the law. Instead they come up with these bogus things to charge them with, slap on the hand kind of charges, and life goes on as usual. Why is there a kind of beneath the line of sight acceptance of these religious societies in Utah? Is it the same reason there is still racial prejudice in the South that is always kind of hidden and firmly denied, such as in the Jena 6 issue going on right now? It would seem that for all the laws in this country, nothing has really changed since it’s inception.
Report thisBy farmertx, September 20, 2007 at 6:52 am #
The case of this branch of the Mormons illustrates the many problems that all religion’s seem to have; the zealot’s who have a perverted interpretation of the ‘scripture’.
Report thisFrom Muslim’s to Catholic’s to Protestant’s all around the globe, there are those who will use religion as a tool to achieve a goal.
See our own born again Christian who still doesn’t attend Church all that much, except when he needs a photo-op.
But, when a person is born into such groups that radicalize their religion and aren’t allowed to learn of alternate views, we see that this will be an on-going problem.