On the one hand, nobody forces you/someone to join a church, or to give them money. Even "USofA society" in general would object. Except for taking children along, that is.

On the other hand, children generally have the parents as the first line of defense from the "wolves in/out there" and for highest-possible quality nurture. (Well, not *all* children get sent to Ivy League diploma mill universities.)

If the first intelligent parental-responsibility line fails, and these parents choose an unwisely conducted "church" to submit to, well, that's the chaotic frontier. Maybe it never will be satisfactorily sorted out? As a stingy taxpayer, I view parents as somewhat entitled to some latitude, since/as long as they are paying the bills.

Are you familiar with Janet Reno's disastrous foray into church prerogatives, the Branch Davidians? It was really rather post-birth canal-passage (legal?) abortive, IMESHO, and the feds/"state" should have not "executed". Likewise, IMO, it was rather arrogantly poorly planned, directed, and single-agendaed.

Summary question: Do the government wizards need more practice on the Nintendo, before further pretending to know how to intervene with the FLDS, as well?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Branch_Davidians

(added)

From the link:" In her version, she was taking part in youth group activities when other church members restrained her during a spiritual frenzy over demons. She ended up with carpet burns, scrapes, bruises and lasting emotional trauma that led to a suicide attempt."

Aha, insanity may be involved. (Crossbowman please come to the rescue.)

On the one hand, mental health laws neatly go around our usual criminal justice and civil justice foundations. OTOH, a responsible individual non-governmental entity has their hands tied in anything they do to cope with some insanity.

You know, it's kind of refreshing, but also insanely ominous to read about that other Texas guy unloading his shot gun (out the front of the barrel, killing 2) in that burglary-in-progress grand jury exoneration.