---

Calgary Sun, Canada
Aug. 1, 2004
Mike D'Amour
www.calgarysun.com

---

ReligionNewsBlog.com • Item 8104 • Posted: Sunday August 1, 2004  

---

Decade-old polygamy warnings not acted upon

CRESTON, B.C. — B.C. legislators were warned about the “serious” situation at a polygamous commune more than a decade ago, but so far have not acted on the recommendations of a top secret report obtained by the Sun. The multi-page document was compiled by the Committee on Polygamous Issues, a group comprised of former members of the polygamous community of Bountiful and other interested parties, in the early 1990s and then given to the provincial government.

In it, the report stated: “The situation in the Bountiful group is becoming increasingly serious.”

One reason for concern was a rapidly growing population — at the time there were only about 400 members in the commune but that number has risen to almost 1,000.

The report expressed other concerns including the increasing move by sect members to become even more insulated and isolated from the outside world and patterns of abuse which were becoming more entrenched because social services were not used.

An additional fear at the time was that, according to group teachings, God directs the leaders, and by extension, the lives of all members of the sect.

“It is questionable,” the report said, “whether children raised in the group are ever capable of exercising any freedom of choice.

“Obviously the lack of real choice is particularly poignant when it involves a teenage girl who has known nothing beyond life in the group (and is) placed in marriage with a man several decades her senior who already has a number of wives and children.”

While the people of Bountiful, about 520 km southwest of Calgary, vehemently deny arranged marriages take place, a recently announced provincial investigation will look into the claim.

The special task force, comprised of Mounties, a Crown prosecutor and a social worker, will also look into allegations of sexual abuse on the commune.

The report listed several recommendations in 1992 and called for an inter-ministerial approach to deal with the problem.

Recommendations not acted upon include settling the legal status of polygamy once and for all.

• Read the Calgary Sun online

[Keyword: Winston Blackmore]

---

What You Can Do From Here

---

Read More Articles On These Topics Categories: Polygamy Share, Blog About, Bookmark, or Email This Article Subscribe Religion News Blog RSS feed [What is this?] RSS by topic: Polygamy Read Another Article Previous entry: Hacking family: More searches unnecessary Next entry: UCSB research of ‘new religions’ returns surprises RNB Homepage with latest headlines Find Related Information Use our custom search engines to find additional research resources on religions and cults Find Related Books Polygamy Most Popular Today Scientology’s feet held to the fire in Australia: Struggle between a church and the state

---

Share This Article

---

To share this page simply copy and paste one of these URL's:

• Post a link on your blog or website:
  
• Send in an email or IM:
  
• Post on a forum:
  

Search for information about (religious) cults, cult-like organizations, -- as well as paranormal-, New Age, and pseudoscientific claims -- across 260+ websites, blogs and forums dedicated to cult research, spiritual abuse, ex-cult counseling & support.

Note: results are listed on another domain -- CounterCultSearch.com -- from which you can easily return here.

Search for apologetics articles, books, videos, and other research resources across 135 Christian apologetics websites and blogs.

Note: results are listed on another domain -- ApologeticsSearch.com -- from which you can easily return here.