Fundamentalist Christian exploits tragedy at polygamous ranch
Fundamentalism (updated below)
Bush priorities: Dr. Lynn Cerullo [sic] (08-Apr-08), Message #19, which was submitted in response to the article Rampant abuse alleged at polygamist camp [title published on the MSNBC homepage; title published on the page hyperlinked to the MSNBC homepage: "Records: Polygamist sect married at puberty"; title published on the message board: "Removal of children from polygamist ranch"], MSNBC message board, online at boards
The revealations this week of systematic abuse of young girls at the Yearning for Zion Ranch of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (the FLDS Church) in Eldorado, Texas break our heart. It's a bizarre story that's rooted in the American history of Mormonism.
The FLDS Church claims a religious mandate to practice polygamy. However, what we learned this week is that 50-year-old men used their religion as a cover to sexually abuse children. Such abuse has likely been ongoing since the FLDS Church was founded in 1930.
This story revolves around one religious community whose members live outside of the cultural, economic and moral norms of American society. Yet, on an MSNBC message board, I encountered a comment authored by a Pastor of a fundamentalist church in California that caused me to think the religious urge to control others transcends the unique history and failings of any particular denomination.
The author of the comment identified herself as Dr. Lynn Cerullo of Oceanside, California. Google revealed her to be one of three pastors at the Healing Springs Christian Center in Vista, California and the Dean of Students at the North County extension campus of Vision International University (an unaccredited college). Cerullo wrote:
We continue to constantly redefine right and wrong in our culture. Now that we have decided that homosexuality is normal, and are trying to pass laws not just protecting them or defending them-but promoting them (curriculum in public schools) it will not be long before there is legislature before us saying that "pedophiles and children are just expressing love for each other; leave them alone and quit judging them." It won't be long before they are teaching in the public schools that we need to allow children their rights to express themselves; demanding that all can have sex at any age, with anyone else of any age and that the parents have no say. (Of course, it will be the adults who want to abuse the children that will be passing these laws, not the kids!) This will be accepted at some stage, as in Rome and Greek (before they collapsed).The bizarre thing here is that you have a group of society drop outs who pretend to want to 'come out from among them and be separate' but they are using that as a cloak to hide illegal, abusive and may I add, immoral-activity. Religious freedom is paramount and extremely important. That's why the U.S. exists. However, it must be true religion we defend and not immoral and illegal activity hiding behind a banner of religiosity.
Dr. Lynn Cerullo, Oceanside, California
Cerullo's comments have little to do with the abuse practiced by the fundamentalist Mormons in Texas. In fact, she hardly mentions it. Instead she exploits the tragedy for her own purposes. She hides behind a banner of religiosity and demonstrates how fundamentalists ('true religionists', in Cerullo's terminology) claim a mandate to judge others. They wish to exert their power over the lives of those with whom they disagree. Cerullo's comments are self-serving and corrupt – and disrespectful of the girls and women who have suffered at the FDLS Church ranch. Cerullo's comments are of a kind with those made by Jerry Falwell following 9-11.

UPDATE, Thursday, April 24, 2008: I'm not the only one who noticed Cerullo's offensive comments. Check it out (rikkiandjulie [09-




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