Polygamy summit key to dialogue
 
IN OUR VIEW
The Spectrum
 
There's no election on the line, so both should be applauded for their continued effort to conduct a rational discourse on a subject that does not often lend itself to such debate.

The problem, as pointed out by Utah Attorney General spokesman Paul Murphy, is "We have people talking about each other and not talking with each other."

The reason, of course, is the mountain of distrust that has grown between the two camps.

Polygamists are asking for a fair shot in pursuing their religious beliefs. They say that the majority of practitioners do not harm children and pay their own way in society.

Those opposed to the practice are backing up their stand with arguments that, for the most part, are based on allegations of child abuse and welfare fraud - the elimination of which is a primary goal, we understand, of this dialogue that Shurtleff began pushing for in 2003.

This, we hope, is a legitimate attempt to bring greater understanding and, hopefully, some solutions.

Over the span of the last 18 months, Murphy says, grant money has been raised to assist victims of domestic violence in these communities as well as to prepare a manual for police officers and social workers to educate them about beliefs and barriers facing polygamists.

It's a good initial step.

Still, because of the law, it is easy to understand why so many will, even with this opportunity, remain silent. We wonder, for example, how many representatives will show up from Hildale and Colorado City - both with long-standing histories of polygamy and both of which are veiled in silence. We also wonder if representatives from Principle Voices of Polygamy, an advocacy group for polygamous families, will have an opportunity to deliver their message during the forum. It is a message that deserves a fair and open hearing, as long it does not condone those who step over the line into the world of child abuse and violence.

We hope there is a large turnout of people who are not only willing to speak, but listen.
 
TheSpectrum.com
Originally published March 1, 2005
 
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