Unaffiliated » Thousands claim no group affiliation.
Updated: 09/26/2009 05:59:14 PM MDT
An informal survey shows there are 38,000 fundamentalist Mormons in the U.S., Canada and Mexico — up by 1,000.
“It is a conservative figure but that’s the approximate figure for now,” said Anne Wilde, a co-founder of the advocacy group Principle Voices, which conducts the periodic survey. Estimates for organized groups are provided by group leaders or council members. The count includes children and adults, living in both monogamous and polygamous families. Wilde said about half are in plural families.
“It’s been kind of generally increasing but not in thousands, maybe in 50s or 100s,” Wilde said. “There is the birth rate, there is some conversion rate in some of the groups, there is the death rate and some people leave. You’ve got to consider all that and take it into account but you are increasing in numbers.”
Wilde released the survey Friday at a legal conference sponsored by Principle Voices, a nonprofit organization.
For the rest of this article, please follow this link to the Salt Lake Tribune.
For Fundamentalist Mormons
Join the safety of being with other women from the Fundamentalist Culture in a 10-week series discussing the following topics: human rights, parenting challenges, extended family issues, dealing with conflict, unhealthy relationships, self-care, boundaries, assertiveness, self-esteem, identity, roles, and the unique challenges of being a woman in the Fundamentalist Culture.
When: Every Tuesday night from March 10-May12, 2009
Time: 5:30-7:00 pm
Where: Riverton Library—(12877 So. 1830 W., library Auditorium)
Cost: Free
For more information contact Patricia Merkley, LCSW at (801)-487-7778 Ext. 1315
Sponsored by The Safety Net Committee and underwritten by The Family Support Center.
Principle Voices and Principle Rights Coalition Committee
are sponsoring a LEGISLATIVE EDUCATION DAY for Fundamentalist Mormon families
Thursday, February 12, 2009
to be held at the Utah State Capitol Multipurpose Room, main floor
(just inside the north door)from 9:30 a.m. to 12 noon
* * * * * * * * * *
Welcoming remarks:
Chief Deputy of Utah State Senate, Ric Cantrell
Utah Attorney General, Mark Shurtleff
and/or A.G. Director of Communications, Paul Murphy
Orientation session
“How to Lobby,” Mary Batchelor
Tour of the Utah State Capitol
(customized for our group)
Observation of legislators in session
(Senate and House)
Lunch in the East Building cafeteria
(optional)
* * * * * * * * * *
Bring your families (age 12 and over) in a show of support . . . in an effort to educate.
Contacts: Anne Wilde (Anne@principlevoices.org) or Mary Batchelor (Mary@principlevoices.org)
Let’s demonstrate that in this era of diversity, we are entitled to full citizenship.
“We’re families, not felons!”
WOMEN’S SUPPORT GROUP
For Fundamentalist Mormons
Join the safety of being with other women from the Fundamentalist Culture in a 10-week series discussing the following topics: human rights, parenting challenges, extended family issues, dealing with conflict, unhealthy relationships, self-care, boundaries, assertiveness, self-esteem, identity, roles, and the unique challenges of being a woman in the Fundamentalist Culture.
When: Every Monday starting October 20, 2008
Time: 5:30-7:00 pm
Where: Family Support Center (2020 South Lake Street in Salt Lake City)
Cost: Free
For more information contact Patricia Merkley, LCSW at (801)-487-7778 Ext. 1315
Sponsored by The Safety Net Committee, underwritten by The Family Support Center, and approved by Principle Voices.
WOMEN’S TRAUMA GROUP
For Fundamentalist Mormons
Join the safety of being with other women from the Fundamentalist Culture in a 10-week Trauma Support Group dealing with the following issues of healing:
- Definition of trauma
- How trauma impacts lives
- Reactions to trauma
- The connections between violence, abuse, and trauma
- The world of feelings
- Mind-body connection
- The addiction and trauma connection
When: Every Thursday starting October 30, 2008
Time: 5:30-7:00 pm
Where: Family Support Center (2020 South Lake Street in Salt Lake City)
Cost: Free
For more information contact Patricia Merkley, LCSW at (801)-487-7778 Ext. 1315
Sponsored by The Safety Net Committee, underwritten by The Family Support Center, and approved by Principle Voices.
Pro-polygamy group educates inside, outside their community
By Ben Winslow
Deseret News
Published: Thursday, July 24, 2008 12:11 a.m. MDT
http://deseretnews.com/article/1,5143,700245458,00.html?pg=1
In the face of the controversial topic of polygamy, an advocacy group is trying to build bridges between two worlds that inherently distrust each other.
In the process, the pro-polygamy group Principle Voices has evolved into a political and educational force that is reaching out to people both inside and outside polygamous communities.
”When we first started speaking publicly, it was because nobody was speaking from our perspective,” said Mary Batchelor, the group’s director. “There’s a lot of diversity. There are people who are happy and functional and doing well, blended in society. There are some who are struggling. There are some having difficulty because they are on the receiving end of bias. There are some in abusive situations who don’t feel like they can turn to anti-polygamists. We came to the conclusion there was a need for Principle Voices.”
The group most recently engaged in a public feud with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints over the term “fundamentalist Mormon.” The LDS Church has repeatedly objected to the use of the term. Principle Voices insists that they are, as they say, “fundamentalist Mormons,” with an unofficial census counting 37,000 people in Utah and surrounding states who consider themselves as such.
Origins
The group was founded in 2000 after the publication of the book “Voices in Harmony,” a collection of essays by women who live in polygamy. The book attempted to counter a steady drumbeat that was anti-polygamy by offering the thoughts of those who are happy in the lifestyle.
”One thing led to another. We thought maybe by organizing, we’d have a little more credibility,” said Anne Wilde. “We could also provide an avenue for those in our culture to speak up.”
So Wilde, Batchelor, Marianne Watson and Linda Kelsch sought to bring all of the area’s polygamous communities together. Many of the sect leaders were skeptical and fearful of what they were trying to accomplish, afraid that exposure leads to prosecution.
”They expected our heads to be lopped off,” said Kelsch.
Through persistence, the women were able to persuade 24 leaders and representatives to meet.
”That was a thrill to see people who haven’t seen each other for years sit around in my living room,” Wilde said. “It seemed like up to that time, the groups stayed to themselves. They realized that we can do this, we can work together, we can make a difference.”
Since then, meetings of Principle Voices have become so packed that their coalition had to be limited to a few representatives from each group.
”I’m seeing a great evolvement in my own community,” said Kelsch. “My hope is it will continue to grow.”
Principle Voices has combatted negative stereotypes by showcasing the normalcy and diversity of polygamy. The group has fielded media requests from all over the world to talk to plural families. Some are willing, even going on “Oprah” to talk about their families. Still, many are not.
”Because of the fact that we are speaking up, it helps them be even more protected because they don’t have to and yet the message gets out,” Wilde said.
Members briefly launched a magazine, and Batchelor still maintains a popular e-mail list of news items on all things polygamy.
Over the years, Principle Voices has reached out to government agencies and social services workers. They have given presentations to domestic violence hotline operators, prosecutors, child welfare workers and others. Kelsch made an impassioned plea to the Utah State Legislature against an anti-polygamy bill.
She later ran for public office but was defeated.
Principle Voices has given the communities some political muscle, although Kelsch said there is still some hesitation for many polygamists to register to vote.
Paul Murphy, who coordinates the Utah Attorney General’s Safety Net Committee (a coalition of government agencies, social service workers, activists and polygamists) calls Principle Voices an important liaison in maintaining a dialogue with polygamous communities.
”A lot of the problems have been created by isolation and a lack of dialogue and information going back and forth,” he said. “The polygamists weren’t talking to government; government wasn’t talking to polygamists. We wouldn’t have been able to solve a lot of problems and help a lot of victims had it not been for that open communication.”
Anti-polygamy activists have accused Principle Voices in the past of sugar-coating a lifestyle they say lends itself to abuse. Tapestry Against Polygamy, the state’s leading anti-polygamy group, declined to comment for this story. Tapestry’s co-founder, Vicky Prunty, is Batchelor’s ex-sister-wife.
”There are adults who have chosen this freely — among consenting adults,” Wilde said. “It doesn’t work for everybody. That’s why you get the negative voices of those who had a bad experience. They have every right to tell their story as well. But our story wasn’t being heard for years and years.”
Educating within
Principle Voices has also tried to educate its own. The group has held seminars and trainings on the law, child abuse and domestic violence, childhood vaccinations, health care and other topics. Child welfare workers, domestic violence counselors and others have been invited to speak to them.
“Principle Voices has appeared to be more progressive in terms of opening up the communication pathways,” said Bonnie Peters with the Family Support Center. “We’ve always gotten calls to provide clinical services for polygamous communities, but not all of the polygamous communities knew of our services. More people have called us not only wanting services, but asking questions. That is wonderful.”
Their seminars have been well received.
”If we don’t speak up, then people are going to continue to believe the lies and stereotypes,” said Rebekah Foster, a plural wife who said she is an independent fundamentalist. “They (Principle Voices) are responsible for pulling down those walls and those lies and fears.”
The group has publicly condemned abuse within plural communities.
”We knew abuse existed,” Kelsch said. “It exists in every community, and we didn’t feel it served our purpose to deny any of that. But to be open and up front, it helped the communities stop hiding because of their fear of polygamy being blamed.”
Principle Voices has pushed polygamous groups to raise their marriage age to 18, saying that by doing so they will be complying with the law and not abandoning their religious doctrine. Most recently, a coalition under the group’s umbrella said it is working to draft a formal statement from polygamous churches saying they do not condone underage marriages.
There is still one law that won’t be followed.
”Polygamy becomes a gray area,” said Batchelor. “It’s against the law, but it’s one area they feel they have to break the law.”
The Utah Attorney General’s Office has said it won’t prosecute bigamy per se, but instead focuses its resources on going after child abuse, sex crimes, domestic violence, and welfare fraud within polygamous communities. Bigamy is used in addition to those charges.
The raid
The one group that still does not participate in Principle Voices is the Fundamentalist LDS Church, but Wilde and Batchelor have hope.
”We are willing to open that door,” said Batchelor. “They can educate us, and hopefully there’s things we can do for them.”
FLDS member and spokesman Willie Jessop recently met with Batchelor and other Principle Voices members in West Jordan. A dialogue is beginning, she said. They also toured the YFZ Ranch and met with FLDS members in Eldorado, Texas.
The raid brought many polygamous groups together. In April, Principle Voices staged a rally in Salt Lake City and sent representatives to Texas with care packages for the women and children.
”I’m excited to see some of the steps they’ve taken,” Batchelor said of the FLDS. “I guess they would also learn they need to do things differently. I’m excited they’re speaking publicly and defending themselves and giving their side of the story so people can have perspective.”
For Principle Voices, their ultimate goal is decriminalization of polygamy. It’s not something government is rushing to help with.
”That’s not an area where we can come to an agreement, but there are areas where we can work together and we can agree,” Murphy said.
Wilde hopes it will happen one day.
”I don’t know if that will happen in my lifetime or not,” she said. “But I’d like to see the community at large have more understanding and respect for our culture.”
E-mail: bwinslow@desnews.com
According to a Deseret News article today, Senator Hatch gave the following statement:
“As we have seen just this year, polygamy is not merely a ‘Utah problem.’ Recent enforcement efforts have shown that polygamists have set up shop in states around the country such as Arizona, Nevada, Texas and others,” Hatch said. “I look forward to hearing the witnesses’ testimonies concerning the tools and means they are using to effectively crack down on those who practice polygamy.”
The article continues: “The hearing’s focus is not on polygamy itself — but crimes associated with it. Prosecutors and ex-Fundamentalist LDS Church members will be among those testifying.”
Notice that Hatch referred to “those who practice polygamy”, clearly stating his support for a crack-down on the lifestyle itself, rather than abuse or crime.
Polygamy is FAMILY. It is a family arrangement. You cannot prosecute and destroy FAMILIES without horrendous repercussions. Does he really want to be responsible for shredding innocent families, or driving these families underground?
There is a Senate Judiciary Committee Hearing scheduled for July 24 to target the FLDS. Please follow this link for further information and a petition you can sign:
http://www.voicesforthechildren.org/viewpetition.php?id=3
We call upon Senator Harry Reid to do the right thing, allow current FLDS members to testify at the Senate Judiciary Committee Hearing scheduled for July 24 in Washington, D.C., in their own behalf, and on behalf of their community. This hearing is for the purpose of addressing: ”Crimes Associated with Polygamy: The Need for a Coordinated State and Federal Response.” Those invited to testify include ex-FLDS members, but no current members.
The FLDS should have the right to answer allegations leveled at them during this hearing. Senator Reid has shown extreme bias against polygamy, and we are concerned that decisions will be made based on misinformation, partial facts/truths, or false allegations. This hearing specifically targets the FLDS church and its members, but Reid has made it clear that his intent is to pursue investigations and prosecutions of other polygamous communities as well, without any acknowledgment that consenting adult, healthy polygamous families should be left unmolested.
The Senate Judiciary Committee has the right to know the whole truth, not just pieces of the truth offered to the committee by dissidents (please refer to the FLDS website for further information regarding this testimony); it also has a responsibility to open the way for the truth to be told.
Please contact your Senators and make your feelings known about this travesty of justice. If you are from Utah, you can call or email Senator Orrin Hatch at:
Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-UT); Phone: (202) 224-5251
Email form:
http://hatch.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Offices.Contact
There are 18 other members of the Senate Judiciary Committee:
Sen. Jon Kyl [R-AZ]; Phone: Phone: (202) 224-4521
Sen. John Cornyn [R-TX]; Phone: 202-224-2934
http://cornyn.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Contact.ContactForm
Chairman
Sen. Patrick Leahy [D-VT; Phone: (202) 224-4242
Email address without using a form: senator_leahy@leahy.senate.gov
President
Sen. Arlen Specter [R-PA]; Phone: (202) 224-4254
http://specter.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Contact.ContactForm
Sen. Joseph Biden [D-DE]; Phone: (202) 224-5042
http://biden.senate.gov/services/contact/
Sen. Samuel Brownback [R-KS]; Phone: (202) 224-6521
http://brownback.senate.gov/CMEmailMe.cfm
Sen. Benjamin Cardin [D-MD]; Phone: 202-224-4524
http://cardin.senate.gov/contact/
Sen. Thomas Coburn [R-OK]; Phone: 202-224-5754
http://coburn.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=ContactSenatorCoburn.Home
Sen. Richard Durbin [D-IL]; Phone: (202) 224-2152
http://durbin.senate.gov/contact.cfm#contact
Sen. Russell Feingold [D-WI]; Phone: (202) 224-5323
http://feingold.senate.gov/contact_opinion.html
Sen. Dianne Feinstein [D-CA]; Phone: (202) 224-3841
http://feinstein.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=ContactUs.EmailMe
Sen. Lindsey Graham [R-SC]; Phone: (202) 224-5972
http://lgraham.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Contact.EmailSenatorGraham
Sen. Charles Grassley [R-IA]; Phone: 202.224.3744
http://grassley.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Contact.Home
Sen. Edward Kennedy [D-MA]; Phone: (202) 224-4543
http://kennedy.senate.gov/senator/contact.cfm
Sen. Herbert Kohl [D-WI]; Phone: (202) 224-5653
http://kohl.senate.gov/gen_contact.html
Sen. Charles Schumer [D-NY]; Phone: 202-224-6542
http://schumer.senate.gov/SchumerWebsite/contact/webform.cfm
Sen. Jefferson Sessions [R-AL); Phone: (202) 224-4124
http://sessions.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=ConstituentServices.ContactMe
Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R; Phone: 202-224-2921
http://whitehouse.senate.gov/contact.cfm
The position of the Principle Voices Coalition is that the term “Fundamentalist Mormon” (not Mormon Fundamentalist)–
1. describes our true identity and religious position
2. does not apply to an established church, but is rather a descriptive generic term
3. can be compared to the fundamentalist segment of numerous world religions
(See Fundamentalisms and Society, 2 vols., published by the University of Chicago Press, 1993)
4. has not been registered by the LDS Church for usage in this context.
~ Anne Wilde
ABC 4
“I really respect the church’s position on it, I really do, and I feel like I understand their need to distinguish themselves from those who choose to practice polygamy today.”
Mary Batchelor says that she is independent. She believes in the principle but she does not practice it, and she says, she’s Mormon.
“I think it’s ironic that the church feels comfortable telling people that they can’t be considered Mormon, when they themselves have experienced the same thing from Christian denominations telling them they can’t be called Christian, and they obviously clearly do believe they are Christian. I clearly do believe I’m Mormon.”
To watch the entire news clip, go here: http://www.abc4.com/mediacenter/local.aspx?videoid=84321@video.ktvx.com
