I do agree that the men should be the ones punished. Hopefully, the DNA tests will start that process.

These people have a long road ahead of them. Having been brought up in this atmosphere, it will be difficult for them to ignore it.

I wish them well.

The simple fact, conceded by the Department, that not all FLDS families are polygamous or allow their female children to marry as minors demonstrates the danger of removing children from their homes based on the broad-brush ascription of every aspect of a belief system to every person living among followers of the belief system or professing to follow the belief system.

(h/t Grits For Breakfast)

Not as of yet, apparently. This case was in reference to 48 of the children, and the court’s ruling did not contain a requirement for the children to be returned. More details will be forthcoming, I’m sure.

Update: the CNN article has been updated w/ the following:

An attorney representing the mothers said the trial court that originally backed the state’s seizure of the children has 10 days to vacate its decision. If it doesn’t, the appeals court will act, said Julie Balovich of the Texas RioGrande Legal Aid.

AP: Appeals court rules Texas had no right to seize hundreds of children from polygamous sect.

Update: here’s the article.

It is not safe or healthy for a woman to start giving birth in her teens. This is medical knowledge, to the best of my understanding. (I’m not a medical professional.) It is tragic that these children had to be removed from their mothers. It is my sincere hope that something is worked out so that these women get their children back, as long as it means that the children will be protected from illegal and immoral actions in the future. (For instance, I consider the excommunication of fathers and young men to be immoral and at least as disruptive to the family as any CPS action.)

If grown women want to have spiritual husbands assigned to them for the sake of their immortal souls, then more power to them. If they cannot protect their underage daughters from the same fate, then the children must be placed in an environment where they WILL be protected.

The crime committed is statutory rape. That is a despicable crime, and the perpetrators should be thrown in jail. The victims of statutory rape, under Texas law, traditionally receive government subsidies (from what I understand) to help raise their children. Why, in this particular case of the crime, are their children now removed?

As far as I know, Texas has no law against a person’s beliefs – only their actions. These mothers have committed no crime, and should therefore receive no punishment. The men who commit the crime should be punished.

We have enough of that out in the secular world. And it isn’t a requirement to get to heaven.

I’m quite intrigued that there exist people who think that the government is “saving” people by destroying family ties and the lives of individuals who have done no wrong.

Is it just to destroy 20 people’s lives to “save” one?

What about 500 to “save” thirty?

When does it become an infringement of individual rights (life, liberty, and all that good stuff) to punish one single innocent individual in the alleged pursuit of “saving” another person?

Our society apparently has become used to collateral damage, whether inflicted by a bomb in the Middle East or a SWAT team working for the Texas CPS. We no longer value individual liberty, and have instead subjected it to the government-approved well-being of a few people.

“Saving” people in need is a noble cause, but you have no right to punish me in pursuit of this ideal, when I have done nothing wrong. Similarly, any action that impinges upon the natural rights of an innocent individual should be condemned, regardless of any good intentions.