MORMON POLYGAMY, A QUASI-RELIGIOUS FACADE

            The following is a reply to a writer who has been hired to do a book concerning the different perspectives on the raid of the YFZ “polygamist” Ranch in Texas.  My answers were:

            Texas has sent a message that polygamy, Mormon, Christian or Muslim is not welcome.  The FLDS has also sent a message, which is, we are growing and spreading from State to State.

            Polygamy is no longer a Utah and Arizona problem.  It is no longer a regional problem but a National problem.  The raid on the YFZ Ranch has attracted more, and more attention to the phenomenon of Mormon polygamy. In 2002, during the trial and conviction of Tom Green, Mormon polygamy was a novelty, now it’s either a nuisance or a new promotional cause for liberals, libertarians and sympathetic Mormons.    

            Not only is polygamy spreading but where ever it goes it attracts opposition.  In Texas a very well organized group calling themselves Americans Against Abuses of Polygamy. (www.tripleap.org) is doing a fine job of educating government and society of the pernicious side of polygamy. In a sense AAAP has taken over where Tapestry Against Polygamy left off and is learning from Tapestry’s mistakes.  But then of course, they don’t have the internal Utah, social and political opposition from government that Tapestry experienced.  AAAP has put together a united network that is harmonious with anti-polygamist thinking in many states and Canada.

            Although I think Texas CPS and law enforcement attempted to do their homework before acting on the raid, I think they could have been better prepared for the expected polygamist defense.  In 1953, when Arizona raided Short Creek, now Colorado City, public opinion turned against law enforcement because of the way it was handled - tearing children from the arms of their mothers.  It should have been expected that the FLDS would once again attempt to portray themselves as victims of religious discrimination. The raid should have been conducted accordingly - not giving them any more opportunity than necessary to cry discrimination. Otherwise I applaud Texas for not pussyfooting around like Utah and Arizona.  (So much for hindsight)

            Canada is also taking a stand where opposition is organizing to oppose a political movement to decriminalize the practice of polygamy.

            What it all boiling down too is a debate over whether Mormon polygamy is really a religious practice that should be protected by the First Amendment, or if it should also come under the umbrella of Lawrence vs. Texas, (a pervert’s right of privacy). 

            It is my opinion that just passing laws against polygamy is not enough to discourage the practice.  The practice of Mormon polygamy must be dissected and exposed intellectually and rationally.  This is what the organized anti-polygamy groups are now attempting to do.  Having lived the lifestyle, rejected it, studied it and exposed the pernicious side by way of books, essays and civil law suits, I have been asked several times to contribute my opinions. 

            In a nut shell, organized Mormon polygamy has evolved into quasi-religious cabals, the driving force being “conflict, ego, power, sex and wealth.”  Conflict, ego, power and sex are the means - the end being wealth.  Section 132 is an irrational belief that is taken on faith alone.  What makes it viable is not that Jesus Christ allegedly communicated with Joseph Smith, but because it appeals to the male ego and his Y-chromosome.  The religious argument is an illusion.  The rational fact is that Section 132 provides the backdrop for merchandising plural wives.  It has been proven to be a multimillion dollar business (Hill vs. Allred, AUB, LaMoine Jenson, et.al.).

            How does conflict work in the equation?  Mormon polygamists need devils more than they need gods.  They portray themselves as perpetual victims – righteous underdogs.  At the same time they want the “religious freedom” to brainwash and oppress females so they can cultivate harems and merchandise the culls to men with excited Y-chromosomes.

            The religious aspect (Section 132) is a facade providing the surreptitious justification of establishing dominance over women and pursuing sex with many wives – which is a tremendous ego builder.  In essence, what the “Jesus Christ of Section 132 is saying, is: “the male libido will pay big bucks for the ‘priesthood’ privilege of having sex with many women.