March 29, 2013
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Revising oppressive laws; Removing archaic statues
Various views of a Mary Batchelor:
I am here today because our families are being threatened. Our religious beliefs and choice of lifestyle have been ridiculed, villified, condemned and proclaimed criminal in a public campaign that has already led to a socially acceptable and openly hostile form of McCarthyism.
It is ironic that this is occurring in a state and country founded upon religious freedom.
For us, and many other minorities, religious freedom has never been fully realized in America.
In order for all Americans to truly enjoy the freedom to practice our religion according to the dictates of our conscience, we must grant that same freedom to others, whether or not we agree with them or approve of their beliefs or actions. It doesn’t matter if we belong to a majority religion, a minority religion, or no religion at all, we must find a way to appreciate diversity of thought and opinion. Toleration means nothing if we only tolerate those people with whom we agree.
It is time to revise oppressive laws, and remove archaic statutes from the books. It is not the place of government to dictate which religion is acceptable or not, neither is it the place of government to dictate to adults how they can arrange their families.
We are not asking for special treatment. On the contrary, we are asking for equal treatment.
Views by Mary Batchelor in defense of polygamy.
From http://pluralwife.blogspot.com/2009/04/principle-voices-website-updated.html
