Possible consideration of placing FLDS children in LDS homes

[_the road to hana]

I think there are a lot of great LDS families but I have a sense that, if these children were placed into their homes the children would be taught that WJ isn't the prophet, it is Tomas Monson. (sigh)

The very same dynamics (albeit less intense) would exist. Follow the prophet, if your family doesn't all believe in the TRUE form of Mormonism you won't be together, you must be baptized into the TRUE Mormon church, this life is a test to see if you are going to believe in the TRUE form of Mormonism, pay your tithing, go to the temple, wear garments (shorter version), etc. etc.

I just think this is going to mess with their vulnerable, confused, innocent minds.

I like how Roger put it.. "from the fire into the frying pan." Exactly.

I think it would be healthier for these children to be placed into homes with caring parents who had no motive to convert the children into the "TRUE" church.

I would say the same thing if CPS were considering placing these children into any family who embraced a cult or religion with a strong emphasis on obeying a leader, and/or with a tendency to do missionary work to convert their family, neighbors and friends.

I would love to see these kids free of fear, and free to be children; to play, relax, dream.


~dancer~

I don't know that it's fair to assume that all LDS homes are going to be unhealthy for foster children from the FLDS. And I'm sure those who end up taking them, and placing them, share your views that they'd like to see these kids "free of fear, and free to be children; to play, relax, dream."

Where would you rather have them? In a Baptist home? A Catholic one? One with no organized religious affiliation?

I'd take some of the FLDS children myself if I could, and yes, I think having a background in Mormonism would be enormously helpful, even if I am no longer LDS.

[_the road to hana]

I have been informed that the CPS (Child Protection Services) in Texas is considering placing the FLDS children in Mormon homes. PLEASE send emails or phone calls to the following people asking them NOT to do this.

msnobody, I'm curious to know the source of your information regarding this, and whether or not it's just speculation.

[_truth dancer]

I don't know that it's fair to assume that all LDS homes are going to be unhealthy for foster children from the FLDS.

I'm not assuming all LDS homes are going to be unhealthy for FLDS children.

I do however believe placing these children with those who are inclined (commanded) to convert others to their belief system may not be in their best interest.

Inundating the children with the belief that they must follow a different prophet, (any prophet or leader), immersing them in another religion based on fear and obedience doesn't sound like a good idea to me.

And I'm sure those who end up taking them, and placing them, share your views that they'd like to see these kids "free of fear, and free to be children; to play, relax, dream."

Of course...

I just hope no one instills the idea that they must believe a certain way or they will be sent to Hell, or not be with their families for eternity or something along those lines. I do not think any form of fear induced behavior is a good idea. The LDS church, in my experience was filled with this.

Where would you rather have them? In a Baptist home? A Catholic one? One with no organized religious affiliation?

Any home where they will not be inundated with the message that they must convert to a religion, obey the prophet (or leader), or fear some eternal consequence for their behavior.

I'd take some of the FLDS children myself if I could, and yes, I think having a background in Mormonism would be enormously helpful, even if I am no longer LDS.

I also think having a background in Mormonism would be totally helpful. Absolutely. Actually I think this situation may be ideal. I would love to take some children as well.

:-)

~dancer~

[_harmony]

From what I understand of the system, they try to keep siblings together. That might not be possible if these families are large. Even then, it's going to be an enormous task to place all of those children and will likely result in some bad placements. The foster home system is rife with problems, at least based on the stories of the adults who have survived the system. Some of these children will be dumped in with some of the wildest kids on the block. Virtually all of these children will be mocked by other children as they enter the public school system. The case workers will have to spend extra time with the foster parents making sure these children are not abused in any way, which will severely tax an already over-taxed system. The media would have a field day if one of these children is harmed in any way.

It is going to be a nightmare of gargantuan proportions and the ones who will bear the brunt of it will be once again the children.

Thank you once again, Joseph Smith.

[_The Nehor]

I don't think they'll all end up in LDS homes, or even a majority of them. I don't think there are enough LDS families who have qualified to do it here.

[_the road to hana]

I don't think they'll all end up in LDS homes, or even a majority of them. I don't think there are enough LDS families who have qualified to do it here.

I think they'll end up reaching into neighboring states, perhaps even as far as Utah, in order to place these children. It wouldn't surprise me if some of them end up in Colorado or Arizona.

[_asbestosman]

While we're at it, we'd better hurry up and make sure that LDS couples don't get to adopt any (or many) children anywhere. Come to think of it, some Christian fundies are the same way so we'd better do that for them too. Oh wait, except Christian fundies don't have a prophet so they're ok. Whew.

Good grief.

[_Jersey Girl]

While we're at it, we'd better hurry up and make sure that LDS couples don't get to adopt any (or many) children anywhere. Come to think of it, some Christian fundies are the same way so we'd better do that for them too. Oh wait, except Christian fundies don't have a prophet so they're ok. Whew.

Good grief.

abman,

Don't you see how confusing it might be to the children in this case?

[_asbestosman]

abman,

Don't you see how confusing it might be to the children in this case?

To me, the confusion started when the children were separated from their mothers. The confusion will continue when the children are placed into other homes, whether or not the adults in those homes believe in another prophet, or are devout Christians who believe that the Book of Mormon is false but that Jesus is God, but that Trinitarianism is true instead of the Godhead, or who whatever the adults believe.

Same thing for scientologist homes.

Same thing for Muslim homes.

So no, I don't see any particular confusion into putting the children in LDS homes over that of, say, Christian fundies. By arguing that authoritarian religions are dangerous, blah, blah, blah, you've just made an excellent case for not allowing the children to go into any religious homes. Inherent bigotry just keeps people from realizing it when it comes to "normal" Christians. in my opinion.