Today I was folding clothes and watching Oprah (yes thank to good old American Network on cable I watch Oprah and Ellen for that matter) Anyway so Oprah was interviewing these FLDS members in this ranch called Return to Zion or something like that. A polygamist situation, one dad, three moms, and nine kids. Funny long prarie dresses, poofy bangs and braids, at first glance these folks are FREAKS. Polgamy makes me want to vomit when I really think about it, and I can't imagine living so secluded and different than the rest of the world.
But as Oprah interviewed the wives and the husband and the kids, and the teens that live on the ranch, all of them expressed things I could relate to... Like loving their kids, like working hard every day to find simplicity and progression, overcoming weaknesses of the flesh, submission to God's plan for their lives, all things I think about every day. They talked about how horrible it was when their ranch was raided and the kids were taken from their moms. One mother said that she knew the raid was coming and got up and packed each of her children a bag with their clothes with their name on it. SHe said she knew they would be separated. She handed each one their bag kissed them and told them to be sweet and to say their prayers that God would bring them home to her. She said that she handed her baby to her olderst son and told him to take care of his brother, and that was the moment that she wept. My heart broke thinking of that moment.
As I watched I started to wonder if we are too quick to judge livestlyes that we don't understand. All of those interviewed expressed that they are happy living as they do, and choose the lifestyle that they have. Oprah asked the hard questions about marriage and sexual abuse of minors, and the obvious conflicts of polygamy. The anwsers seemed to make sense for those interviewed. Oprah finished her show by saying that inside the ranch she saw well mannered children, happy women, and provident living and then stated that she hoped that there wasn't more going on that the cameras didn't capture. I guess therein lies the real issue. If it is as good for them as they say it is, then I say to each his own. I can't fathom that lifestyle, but lots of people can't fathom mine.
Today I have been thinking about where the line is between necessary judement and interveintion , and where we need to let it be. Such a hard call really. I don't really have any anwsers, but I guess it just renewed to me that life is so not black and white, and it is those gray areas that are just tough to define. Hmmm..... Just made me stop and think.
1 comment:
I saw that episode over here as well! I must admit that I too judged.... While watching the show I had to ask myself if that was really going on? Are they hiding something?? I, like Oprah, hope there wasn't anything going on that the cameras weren't able to see... Neways, just found your blog amiga :)
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