There are two things, they say, that don't mix: oil and water. Any oil slick will bear testimony to that truth. Now I want to add two more unmixables for you: pure religion and sexual immorality Put them together and you have either a hypocritical Christian or a religious pervert.
Hello, Warren Jeffs.
I have been sickened by reading some of Jeffs's sexual encounters in the name of God—a sexual
predator, if there ever was one. You can read (or hear) many of the sordid details about his "spiritual marriages" to twelve- and thirteen-year-olds for yourself, through any number of media formats. I'm sure if you wait long enough, you can read it in the tabloids that taunt you at your local supermarket.
While you're at it, do the math in terms how many "wives" he has; at last count, it is alleged to be in the 50-plus range.
I use those squirrelly things (Maurice, they're called 'apostrophes') to set apart the word "wives," as I need to underscore or emphasize the use (or in this case, misuse) of a certain word. Speaking of wives (note: no squirrelly things here, as I am using the term correctly), I wonder what woman in a healthy marriage would stoop to sharing him with even one other woman (let alone 48-plus) for even one night.
He consistently preyed on young girls; I'm sure mature women wouldn't allow such debauchery. On top of that, while he is obviously the main character in this wicked scenario, I seriously wonder about the parents of these child brides. How could they have been so duped by the slick-talking so-called man of God? Maybe I'll look at that topic someday.
Let's change continents for a moment. Here is an enticing promise for you. Strap a bomb to your body, die a hero, enrich your survivors after your "martyrdom"--all the while leaving this world with a, uh, blast. Here's the real catch: Once you have blown your body parts (as well as everyone else's) all over the mosque, plane, market-place, or car, you will be ushered into an after-life and presented with (drum roll, please) seventy virgins at your beck and call.
Two questions: One, just wondering how many virgins can there be the great beyond (not to be confused with a real place called 'heaven')? With the hundreds of delusional male suicide bombers that have fallen for this lie, how can they supply so many virgins for their sexual pleasure and perversion. And two, what do they promise the (increasing number of) female suicide bombers – seventy Brad Pitts in tights?
Sexual perversion and reckless immorality are never condoned in the Good Book. Self-control, personal discipline, and practical holiness are the hallmark of every follower of God. Anything less is a twisted presentation of how we should live. Obviously, people fail, and failure must be both confessed and confronted (also dealt with in the Good Book), then the guilty party moves on to a more consistent godly life. Even moral lapses on the part any patriarch in Scripture was always confronted, condemned, then corrected.
There is never, ever any reason for glorying, gloating, or glee for an uncontrolled sexual appetite.
As a practicing evangelical Christian (in case you've never got my drift before), it pains me—indeed, it galls me-- that there are religious segments that somehow rationalize the unholy mix of sexual immorality and religious dogma. So you end up with this toxic combination of mankind's base nature, Hollywood's philosophy, and a token Jesus.
I must admit that even from within general evangelical circles, I've known of some leaders who have caved in to their own temptations from within their flock. But neither they nor their parishioners have made it part of their religious practice. It's a tumble on the trek, you might say, not the total trek itself.
It happens, indeed, and must be dealt with. But it must never be part and parcel of any religious order, or promoted as right or good..
So Jeffs gets life without parole, but the women (indeed, young girls) he defrauded have neither a life nor a parole from what he did to them. This is probably one of the few times one can ask the following: What would Jesus do?
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