Two religious groups in Texas, both accused of sexual misdeeds in one week. Coincidence?

[Dover]

I'm not defending or accusing, but find it odd that these two 'sects' (Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and a Hindu group) would be targeted within a couple of weeks of each other. And it would seem these kinds of charges would be very difficult to refute. Admittedly I haven't been following the stories so haven't formed an opinion, but just noticed the 'coincidence'.

Hindu leader charged with groping underage girls
Prakashanand Saraswati accused of 20 counts of indecency with a child

http://www.statesman.com/news/content/news/stories/local/04/26/0426swamiji.html

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Remaining children from West Texas polygamist sect moved to foster homes
Mothers of children are expected to receive individual hearings by June 5.

http://www.statesman.com/news/content/news/stories/local/04/26/0426foster.html

[aquart]

1. So you don't actually know anything?

And weren't you surprised there were no Catholic priests involved? There's no coincidence. Patriarchal religions protect paternity rights in various unnatural ways which frequently lead to sexual abuse. What is unusual is that the abuses are more frequently being reported. It would be nice if that meant a break in the stranglehold of patriarchy, but I doubt it.

Now you rush off to defend those nice men.

[Dover]

2. I know very little. Heard about the polygamist story on the news about a week ago

when they were talking about trying to find the young girl who purportedly called to report the abuse. And see now they are moving the children into foster care. Also heard the story about the Hindu sect last night, but there are no facts available yet on that. That's the extent of my knowledge.
I'm not the media hound I used to be. That's all I know.
But it sounds like you have your opinions already preformed and at the ready.

[Marrah_G]

8. I don't know the Hindu story but the FDLS has been a well known cult engage in criminal behavior.

Even more so then the usual organized crime families they are incredibly difficult to infiltrate and investigate. I suggest reading " Under the Banner of Heaven" or "Escape" or by checking some of the short documentaries available on YouTube.

[DFW]

3. The only coincidence is probably that they were both in Texas

I'm from the South, and there are religious sects all over the place,
not just Texas.

If you are planning on visiting the most secretive of them, come invited,
or come well-armed.

[Dover]

4. mispost..

[TZ]

5. Oh yes

Its a conspiracy by evil fundamentalist atheists to take away religious freedoms right?:sarcasm:
If you haven't been following the FLDS/Warren Jeffs thing--they are a long time sick sick cult and I'm GLAD they finally were able to get in there and rescue those children from the situation..btw most of them are so brainwashed they think being involuntary married at 13 and impregnated by 50+ year old men is okay...Anybody who sticks up for Jeffs (whom happily is in jail) and there are a few here, are not right in the head..

[cosmik debris]

6. I won't support the FLDS, but

Marrying off young girls as soon as they reach puberty is as old as our history. It was not invented by the FLDS.

In fact, I recall a story about a dirty old Jewish guy who knocked up a cute teenager whose kid became the "son of god"

The FLDS is just following their sick and twisted history. The world changed and they didn't.

[Marrah_G]

9. I think you are going to see a large crackdown on the FLDS now

With these children and some young mothers finally out they may have the witnesses they need to put an end to them once and for all. The criminal activity goes way further then just the quazi-marriages of you girls.

They "bleed the beast" by getting food stamps, welfare and medical assistance by denying knowledge of the father and therefore he is not required to support his children, we do.

They also have large construction companies and other companies where teenage boys are working (instead of going to school)without getting a paycheck, they are then thrown out if they are seen as a threat to the older men.

There is violence and threats of violence towards anyo0ne who leaves and many have to stay in hiding.

It has been bad for a long time, but each Prophet seems to take it further and further. The current leader Jeffs is a real monster.

[John Gauger]

7. Maybe the AG is cracking down on child abuse.

I don't think it's a coincidence. I think it's the prosecutors doing their jobs.

[Dover]

10. If it's not a coincidence, and they planned these two 'stings', then it brings

into question the original reason for the intrusion of the polygamist compound - the call from the teenage girl.
But I haven't been tuned into the story so don't know if they did, indeed, find the girl that purportedly called in the complaint. Just saying that if this WAS a planned sting, and there was no call or teenage girl, then the police will have a hard time in the courts defending their actions.

It does seem the two stings were probably planned rather than spontaneous responses to a recent and immediate event.

BTW, I just heard on the radio that the Hindu swami is out on bail pending further action/charges/trial.