For the first time since the Texas prohibition on bigamy (Penal Code, title 6, Sec. 25.01) was strengthened by the legislature in 2005, a prosecution is about to take place. Sunday's Dallas Morning News reports that in February, 73-year old House of Yahweh prophet Yisrayl "Buffalo Bill" Hawkins was indicted on four counts of promoting bigamy. In addition, sect elder Yedidiyah Hawkins has been charged with sexual assault of his 14-year-old stepdaughter who authorities say he was planning to marry. Hawkins secretive sect lives on a compound of hundreds of acres near the town of Eula in Callahan County, Texas. The House of Yahweh sends its apocalyptic message to the world over satellite broadcasts, radio and the Internet.
Monday, May 12, 2008
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Outlawing polygamous, bigamous groups is messy and sad for children--but sadder still to let them proliferate this lifestyle --this unlawful lifestyle which is unfair to women and young girls --even if the latter are duped into seeing it as mere religious freedom.
As long as children are not being abused, and as long as young women (adolescents) are not being exploited, what business is it of the state? Shouldn't consenting adults be free to enter into whatever relationships they choose?
Can most of these men properly support their many kids and women without violating child labor laws and without going on gov't assistance? NO, not realistically.
That's one reason it's the state's business. Think how many kids a polygamous man can have in a year! every year! It also does deprive boys of a chance to get a wife if all the older men are grabbing up the young girls. And so the cult men have been known to kick out the boys who would compete with them for the girls' affections.
The polygamous groups are inherently, intrinsically unfair and abusive to their young people and to women in general. They ask their women to have no jealousy, no depression, no defective kids --to be perfect --while the men indulge their lusts with an unending supply of young girls --their daughters' friends. I can't imagine enduring such a hotbed of indecency centered around, not God, but sex.
That's a big IF you suggest, Jason --IF the women aren't exploited and the girls aren't under-age.
Imagine the old ginks just waiting for you to turn 16 --to tell you God has told him you are NEXT in the bed!
doomed to be pregnant every year if God so wills.
From what I hear, the state finds there ARE abuses in this particular group.
They are breaking the law, that's all there is to it --abuses or not.
We have the law because abuse is so likely in polygamy --and because we don't want men making tons of babies they can't support by having multiple wives.
Also, polygamy does deny the equality of women. How many men are willing to share one wife? and be faithful to her? NOne. No sane ones, anyway.
Imagine the old ginks just waiting for you to turn 16 --to tell you God has told him you are NEXT in the bed!
doomed to be pregnant every year if God so wills.
You know that polygamy laws don't actually prevent that, right Barb? There are subcultures where the women marry at a young age and have babies every year, on the principles of their religion?
And often, these relationships are close-to-incestuous. Many group homes for the handicapped serve these subcultures.
As for sharing a wife, perhaps young men wouldn't want to. A man who's been married a few years might be thrilled to. If I were married to you, Barb, I'd probably want to share you with as many other men as possible ;). (that's mean in wording, but meant in light spirit)
"Can most of these men properly support their many kids and women without violating child labor laws and without going on gov't assistance? NO, not realistically."
Actually, it has been proved that polyamory groups are very efficient at being self-sufficient, and free of government handouts.
As for the rest of your unproven ranting, you sound like you live in a nightmare world, full of predatory old men stalking you, and being deprived of the sole ownership of one person's affections and slavish devotion. But I do wish you'd stop trying to convince the rest of us that we also live there, when we can see for ourselves that we don't.
Bad joke, CL. You would NOT want to share ANY wife, I dare say.
I am unaware of these religious subcultures you speak of that are filling the homes for the handicapped. Englighten me, please! All the more reason to outlaw such practices.
Chimera, they've featured families on tv where the guy put his women in a ring of housetrailers and married one and put the rest on welfare as single moms with fatherless kids. And yes, the moms and the kids are work horses and help with their own support through magazine sales and the like. I didn't make this up. I heard Dr. Phil talk about the dysfunction of these groups also.
We outlawed polygamy for good reason. Let's not get stupid.
"Chimera, they've featured families on tv..."
Excuse me, but when did the Jerry Springer Show become a showcase for "normal?"
And Dr. Phil has his own issues, one of which being that he likes the spotlight (not to mention the money) so much that he's starting to prostitute his opinions to whomever will pay his price. I daresay that if I offered him enough money, he'd reverse himself on a few things.
"Let's not get stupid."
Aw...don't leave me an opening like that.
Why do you say Dr. Phil's opinions are prostituted? you think he reverses himself for money?
E.G.?
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