Oh hello! Come in. I have new tea – white tea with peach and raspberry. It’s quite lovely.
Day 17: A book you’ve read that changed your views on something
I think the first thing that comes to mind was Under the Banner of Heaven by Jon Krakauer. From Amazon.com:
In Under the Banner of Heaven, Jon Krakauer tells the story of the killers and their crime but also explores the shadowy world of Mormon fundamentalism from which the two emerged. The Mormon Church was founded, in part, on the idea that true believers could speak directly with God. But while the mainstream church attempted to be more palatable to the general public by rejecting the controversial tenet of polygamy, fundamentalist splinter groups saw this as apostasy and took to the hills to live what they believed to be a righteous life. When their beliefs are challenged or their patriarchal, cult-like order defied, these still-active groups, according to Krakauer, are capable of fighting back with tremendous violence. While Krakauer’s research into the history of the church is admirably extensive, the real power of the book comes from present-day information, notably jailhouse interviews with Dan Lafferty.
Now, I understand that this is a fundamentalist group and that all Mormons are not represented by the group portrayed in this book. And for the most part, my philosophy about what other people/groups/religions do is, whatever. If it isn’t hurting anyone else, let them do it.
HOWEVER.
My views were changed on polygamy because I think 13 or 14 year olds, and sometimes younger, should not be considered appropriate as wives for anyone. You know what? Marry whomever you want, as long as they are 18. Younger than that is too young.
This is my opinion. It may not agree with yours, but isn’t that wonderful? How boring life would be if we always agree.
So, yeah. This book changed my views on polygamy. My mind may not have slammed completely closed, but I think I may be less cavalier about it when hearing stories in the future.
Tomorrow: Your views on gay marriage.
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