On Friday of last week the State of Utah argued to dismiss the lawsuit the Brown Family, the Polygamists of ‘Sister Wives’ fame filed earlier this year. In the hearing, the State has tried to claim that there is no harm, despite the fact that when the judge asked what the policy of Utah County on prosecuting polygamists they said it was not decided.
The AP report, in the Huffington Post correctly pointed out that though the State claims they have not prosecuted polygamists in 50 years, there are in fact two cases, the Bob Foster and Mark Easterday cases where they did. What the State of Utah is attempting to minimize however, is the bigger effect that the criminal aspect of polygamy causes. If every time a crime was committed by a Catholic, the State added an enhancement to that crime based upon the Catholic religious practice, what would people associate Catholics as? Or if every time a Mormon went public about their religion there was an announced investigation into their life to make sure there were no other crimes occurring what would be the impact of public perception?
Simply by saying that they are under investigation, the State caused harm to the Brown family, and every polgyamous family like ours. For what it tells my family is not that they will not prosecute us, but that they can! In deed, most of the harm that is caused towards polygamist families comes from discrimination of those that want to deny us jobs, rent, purchasing property or businesses, or simply religious slurs, all experiences we or others in our families have experienced.
The public licence offered for such discrimination almost always emanates from the criminal statute in place. When society keeps laws on the books aimed at a particular class of people, the reverberating effect is marginalization and the legitimization of hate to that group. This is the most harmful aspect we see in our daily lives.
Many have asked us what is the impact of us being public. We have had those concerned for us about prosecution from the State. While we don’t take such threats lightly, we know the State of Utah, like most state governments in this economy are low on funds and want nothing to do with costly lawsuits and prosecutions. What they do want, is to preserve the status quo of the power structure that is in place. It is the abuse of power that we continue to experience ourselves.
When most of the people who verbally attack our family cannot find the typical steretypes that in their prejudice, they are used to associating with Plural families, they in the end tend to attack us as “illegal” and “immoral”. When some of the hurtful comments that have been leveled at our kids by their peers is understood, it is this “illegal” aspect that is used as credence by oppressors. They usually follow their attack with, “its just wrong,” or, “my mom says it is against the law.”
The State can say, as is quoted, that the Brown’s “have perceived they are being prosecuted, that is a misconception, at least at this point,” but how can the Brown’s or any Plural family, feel free that such power will always be judiciously administered, and at “what point” do we preceive we will be prosecuted?
For us it is akin to a dog, that has been beat by its guardian for so long; but now is told that we will no longer be beaten because we have new guardian. Yet the leash is still firmly entrenched around our collar. We as a family, determined before we begin this journey that we would not leave Utah, we have never wanted to pick a fight with such a powerful force as the State of Utah. However, for us to live free, in a Republic, for our children to live free without threat of prosecution, and without state sanction persecution, we will not be silent until the day the State no longer says, “We will not prosecute polygamist consenting adults”, but “We CANNOT prosecute polygamist consenting adults!”
Joe with his "girls" at home in Herriman
Very well said. I am not a polygamist, but I do agree that this law that is on the books in Utah should be taken off so that families like yours and the Browns don’t feel threatened. I am very sad that the Brown’s left Utah–for them and for Utah.
Thank you! this attitude is exactly why my SW is scared to let our girls wear dresses to the grocery. She worries that they will be taken by the State if we r found out. I personally know that the average person on the street doesn’t care if the lady I’m shopping w/ is my SW, but I am trying to be sensitive to her feelings. This fear has lengthened my engagement and is really starting to push my buttons. I think it is time more of us stood up w/ u and the Brown’s. Thank you for putting urselves out there.
Thank you for being so public. This is a great commentary! It is indeed religious freedom, and so infuriating that it’s still happening in America!
Blessings,
Isa
Great article! Well said!
Thank you for being out and proud! I hope all polygamists can stand proud one day and not have to feel the need to hide in the shadows.
With the new NDAA policy that Obama signed into effect last Friday… It effectively gives the presiding President, and the government on the whole, the means to legally discriminate against Americans for ANY reason. It is said that protesters like those from the Occupy Movement and Muslim Americans will be the first to become targets after February when the FEMA Camps are activated…
How long do you think it will take before polygamists become the next targets to be locked up and lost in these camps?
I am not one for conspiracy theories, but the facts are there. And, seeing as there is little to no news coverage on the NDAA and these FEMA Camps, this deception speaks even more to their legitimacy and how the govt. is hiding in plain site.
http://www.forbes.com/sites/erikkain/2011/12/05/the-national-defense-authorization-act-is-the-greatest-threat-to-civil-liberties-americans-face/
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/11/29/senate-votes-to-let-military-detain-americans-indefinitely_n_1119473.html
http://www.infowars.com/breaking-news-gov-activating-fema-camps-across-u-s/
http://www.infowars.com/exclusive-government-activating-fema-camps-across-u-s/
http://www.businessinsider.com/ndaa-set-to-become-law-the-terror-is-nearer-than-ever-2011-12
Joe,
Thank you for your stand and for the way that you write and express yourself. I know that it has to be hard on your kids to face the backlash of small minded people. I have been small minded myself and I know how I treated others, I’m not proud of it, and only bring it up as a reference point.
Good luck in your efforts.
Live long and prosper.
Bob,
Thank you for your kind words and support. We all start small minded, when we are old enough to think we know it all is when we learn we don’t. Unfortunately those that refuse to grow stay that way, and it seems that those the know it least know it loudest.
God Bless,
joe
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Well said Joe! The bullying and intimidation tactics of the state are real and continue to be a barrier for good families to live in an open and honest atmosphere. Bad laws are the leash that keep these families right where the state wants them……..out of sight! Thank you for not being intimidated! Love all you do! Merry Christmas to you and your family!
Ruth,
Merry Christmas, we miss seeing you and your family. Your courage and those like you continue to inspire us to keep moving forward.
Joe
I am a mainstream LDS man. It disgusts me that Utah and the members of my church treat the fundamentalists the same way the anti mormons in Ohio, Missouri and Illinois treated the early members. I am deeply saddened and
by this!
Joe, you need to take a course in logic! If a catholic or a mormon robs a convinience store it has nothing to do with being catholic or mormon. When a mormon fundementalist practices polygamy ( which is also against the law) it has everything to do with being a mormon fundementalist!
Sorry Wendy , but yours is some ultra-fallacious stuff re the comparison to holding up stores and other religions and this. It’s much better to use real reasons why you don’t like or approve of something than resort to game-playing with arguments and it comes off as kind of thinking one’s argument sounds smart and self-righteous as well, yet succeeds at neither.
In fact it is just the opposite to what you state, the mainstream LDS church would no doubt not even exist, especially in the numbers it does-had it not been for this particular kind of marriage(s), which was/is not only part of their faith and written into their book from who knows how far back- but most obviously, because of the sheer numbers of children born, basically created a state of people and culture that likely almost all mainstream LDSers are likely descendants.
It seems from the various comments this family is not afraid to take criticism, but at least have the criticisms of this way of life- a way of life I’m sure does have its difficulties , probably moreso for practical reasons other than those commonly sited (the try at salaciousness of so many-who ‘gets’ who what night?’ that becomes uninteresting mighty quick)….-have criticisms that at the very least make sense, not low-rent logical fallacy games.
I am also a mainstream LDS man and I too am saddened by the treatment of polygamists. I do hope that the State eventually realises that it cannot continue this biased behaviour and legalises polygamy again. Stay strong, we support you!
I do sometimes wonder what the Brethren will do if polygamy is legalised. Any thoughts on that?
Alfred,
To be sure we have many LDS people like yourself that support us, thank you! I think many are worried that if it will be legalized they will be required to live it once again, and for some this fear plays into their persecution. I don’t see that happening. It is legal in Africa for example and the LDS Church has consistently banned its practice, even among converts who are already polygamous. I believe the sooner the LDS Church owns its past about polygamy with pride instead of shame the quicker the Church will gain credibility. Polygamy continues to be used as a tool to persecute the Church even though it banned the practice over 100 years ago.
Joe