2008 Woodie Awards
Polygamy in the news
James Mansnerus
- Page 1 of 1
Polygamy is everywhere. Well, maybe not, but it seems so lately.
New HBO drama Big Love brought national attention to the subject when it debuted in March. Since then, polygamists can't avoid the spotlight.
The show is about a man, his three wives, and their seven kids living together but hiding in plain site. Unlike stereotypical polygamists who live on compounds, their family lives in a rural Utah town. Their goal is to let no one find out their secret.
The show has caused concern with Mormons who don't want to be associated with polygamy. They banned the practice in 1850. It is illegal in all 50 states.
Opponents of polygamy claim that it allows for older men to prey on young girls.
At polygamy compounds, men often marry underage girls as secondary wives, with the marriages arranged. This is also illegal.
Critics even describe some sects as cults. They have leaders called "prophets" who will arrange marriages and are to members the voice of God. "You have no voice," said Flora Jessop in a May 1, Arizona Republic article. Jessop grew up in a polygamy cult of 10,000 members.
One of these "prophets" is now on the FBI Ten Most Wanted list with a $100,000 reward.
Fundamental Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints leader Warren Jeffs is charged with child sexual abuse and as an accomplice to statutory rape in Arizona and Utah. The church is centered in Utah.
Television show America's Most Wanted said he might be hard to catch given his vast network of followers.
Also in Utah, the Utah Supreme Court upheld the conviction of Rodney Homm recently for a count of felony bigamy and two counts of unlawful sexual contact with a minor, according to the Associated Press. He received a one-year sentence.
The court ruled that Utah's law banning polygamy is not unconstitutional. Homm argued that such a ban violated his right to practice religion.
Though the Big Love season finale is coming up May 28, it doesn't appear the topic of polygamy is going to disappear any time soon. Even Anderson Cooper 360 devoted a whole two hours to it.
