americansinformed (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

And the oscar goes to... (brace yourselves)Insane, brainwashed, and affectless polygamy wives! for your performances in the post-YFZ polygamy raid video. Step forward and claim your prizes! Gag. What a joke.

EuphrasieF (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

I tried to formulate a response, but there's far too much to this whole affair to fit into the commenting limit. If you're interested I can PM you with some links that might give a fuller picture.

whiteclaudia9 (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

I see. So there was never any documented abuse on the ranch. But do you think that it's a possibility that there is?? I mean, look at their leader. I don't mean to make a generalization, but because their leader was so horrible, don't you think that there were some followers that weren't so holy? Then again, I'm only speculating.

iLuvEdward333 (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

i agree with you whiteclaudia9!

EuphrasieF (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

No, not at all. Carolyn Jessop never lived at the ranch, and neither did Flora Jessop or Elissa Wall. This group has multiple communities. They also have communities in Arizona and British Columbia. All three of those women lived in Arizona. The Texas community was founded less than five years ago.

whiteclaudia9 (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

Okay, I see what your saying, but does that mean all that testimony of child abuse and rape are untrue?? I thought they were living at the ranch, too.

EuphrasieF (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

//What more evidence of child abuse do we need than the testimony of former religious members?? //For legal proof, a lot more, considering that none of the ex members who wrote books have ever set foot at the ranch.

whiteclaudia9 (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

Wow! How did you do that!? You cried without showing tears! Why would I want to visit that website? It'll just be more brainwashed dribble. What more evidence of child abuse do we need than the testimony of former religious members?? Women are NOT tools, and neither are children!

MsKittieReed (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

However, this is all beside the point. In all cases I've seen adult women who escape and stay out of the FLDS, they are not docile, soft-spoken sheep like the women in this video. This is a trained behavior, you can even find lectures of Warren Jeffs teaching them to "keep sweet". And when they're allowed to think and behave of their own will, they are nothing like their former selves. And this is for the best, I dare say.

MsKittieReed (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

Not to mention, Merril Jessop had plenty of access to his daughter while she was still in her mother's custody. His daughter was brought up from birth to fear and obey him without question and would be punished if she did not. That's an incredible driving force to derail any sort of autonomous thinking, especially with him goading her back from any progress she'd made.