It seems you can’t turn on your TV or visit your favorite internet sites without being bombarded with the latest misadventures of those wacky West Texas polygamists. Because of this, I had resolved to abstain from the redundancy and avoided making comments. However, an article on MiamiHerald.com, shines a light on an outrage that is not being covered by the mainstream press.Here are some highlights:
“American taxpayers have unwittingly helped finance a polygamist sect that is now the focus of a massive child abuse investigation in West Texas, with a business tied to the group receiving a nearly $1 million loan from the federal government and $1.2 million in military contracts.”
“The ability of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, or FLDS, to operate and grow is largely dependent on huge contributions from its members and revenue from the businesses they control…”
“… NewEra Manufacturing in Las Vegas, has been awarded more than $1.2 million in federal government contracts, with most of the money coming in recent years from the Defense Department for wheel and brake components for military aircraft.”
“NewEra, previously known as Western Precision Inc. and located in Hildale, Utah, also received a $900,000 loan in 2005 from the federal Small Business Administration, the data show.”
“In addition, JNJ Engineering, a company owned and operated by FLDS leaders, has made millions of dollars in Las Vegas, the Las Vegas Review-Journal reported in September.”
“The company won $11.3 million in contract work from the Las Vegas Valley Water District; all but one of the project workers came from the twin towns of Hildale and Colorado City, Ariz., where most of the sect's 10,000 members live.”
Where is the outrage over these revelations? Why do we continually ignore atrocities that are done under the sheep’s clothing of religion? The US General Services Administration (GSA) has strict regulations for those awarded government contracts. According to the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), there are rules concerning race, gender, and the environment.
All “Hell” would break loose if a CEO was simply accused of doing half the things that were regular practices of Warren Jeffs. Can you imagine what would happen if a judge ordered the removal of 416 children from this CEO’s company? Would they be allowed government contracts?
The evils of the FDLS have been known for years. Several testimonies have been given and books written from escaped members. There are literally hundreds of excommunicated “lost boys” who were expelled simply because they became competition to the older men’s claim to the teenage girls. Still, the government funds their communities.
Apparently, not all polygamous husbands own a chain of hardware stores like Big Love’s Bill Henrickson. Many choose to fleece the government for assistance. According to The Eldorado Success, nearly half of the fundamentalists in Colorado City receive food stamps at a cost of over 3 million dollars a year according to an October 2004 article. Also healthcare dollars through Arizona’s AHCCCS program provided about 8 million dollars a year of aid. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has spent 1.8 million dollars for the paving streets and providing fire departments. During the 2004-2005 school year, $19,866.88 of government money was provided per child in the Colorado City School system.
The cult calls this practice “Bleeding the Beast.” It was practiced by Joseph Smith and his successor Brigham Young. Flora Jessop, who escaped the Colorado City branch, said that members are told to go on welfare because it is a way to get Satan to support God’s work. Why are we okay with this?
Perhaps, I should calm down. Maybe I should instead focus on the glorious first American visit of Pope Benedict XVI. It’s not like his church has any hang-ups with oppressing women and sexually abusing children.
Brother Richard

If you’re like me, you get sick of important issues being reduced to two minute shouting matches on the evening talk shows. For this reason, I am pleased to bring to your attention, a recent debate which took place at the University of Virginia’s Miller Center of Public Affairs. It was part of the National Discussion and Debate Series. The debated resolution was: "Religion should have no place in politics or government." The moderator of the debate was Evan Thomas, Editor at Large of 

For some reason, this site seems to be read by a lot Christians. Perhaps it is because I used to be a minister; or possibly it is my many references to the Bible. Who knows why? My last post, which was simply my notes from the 
Below are my notes taken from the “invitation only” press teleconference for the movie:
Only three days left to register for the 25 city simulcast movie for Church-State Separation.


In last week’s article, The Obama Double Standard (
Brothers and Sisters,
Hey All,


In May of 2006, Theist broadcaster Pat Robertson claimed that he could leg-press 2,000 pounds (


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