It's About Time

I am a strong believer in religious freedom, even when I disagree with the tenets and practices of expressions of faith other than my own. That said, I can't tell you how pleased I was that the RCMP British Columbia has been instructed to lay charges against members of the quasi-Mormon community in the remote community of Bountiful.

Here is the CBC news description of the charges:

Winston Kaye Blackmore and his brother-in-law James Marion Oler are facing polygamy charges. Oler is alleged to have had four wives between 1993 and 2009, while Winston Blackmore is accused of marrying 24 women between 1990 and 2014.
Oler and two others, Blackmore's son Brandon James Blackmore and his wife Emily Ruth Crossfield, are also alleged to have unlawfully removed a child under 16 from Canada "with the intention that an act be committed outside Canada that would be an offence against Section 151 (sexual interference) or 152 (invitation to sexual touching)"

For some reason BC has been reluctant to press charges against Blackmore and the others even though they have known about what this alleged child sexual abuse for years. In the United States Warren Jeffs, the leader of this Mormon splinter group, is in jail, convicted of a number of crimes. I think it is hideous that these men were allowed to hide behind religion to justify their criminal and abusive activity for so long. It is puzzling that authorities began prosecuting abusers in the Roman Catholic church and other denominations a couple of decades ago but have allowed this to continue with impunity. It is particularly creepy that the women are required to dress as though they are chaste characters from some 19th century drama even as they are being abused.

Blackmore always comes across as so reasonable and cheerful, but that doesn't mean he isn't evil. I hope all of them are sent to prison, if convicted, and that there are concerted efforts to support the women and children as they reintegrate with broader society.They have certainly deserved better from our judicial system.

Comments?