Tip sheet called offensive by FLDS members

A tip sheet provided to Texas case workers working with women and children from a polygamous sect has outraged an attorney working with their families, who says it promotes unfounded stereotypes.

The “Cultural Competencies” tip sheet warns that workers should expect FLDS members to be fearful, self-destructive and distrustful of government.

Sect members believe “other religions and gentiles are doing Satan’s work,” it says, and warns that mothers may display “learned and enforced helplessness” that renders them incapable of making decisions for their children.

Salt Lake City attorney Rod Parker, acting as a spokesman for the families, said the sheet was put together with the help of anti-polygamy activists and exemplifies the state’s bias in dealing with the religious sect. […]

The tip sheet describes isolated, authoritarian communities as fearful and dominated by groupthink, which is how a state investigator characterized the FLDS to a Texas judge last week.

A section of the tip sheet titled “FLDS Woman’s Cultural Mentality” states that women travel with “two spies” and believe they are not going to be accepted by the “gentile world.” Children, it says, are embarrassed by their mothers.

“Oh, really?” said one FLDS mother, who asked to not be identified. Parker said he was particularly perturbed by stereotypes of FLDS women.

“The document doesn’t evidence any effort to seek out balance whatsoever,” he said. “It is completely one-sided. It is the propaganda of the anti-polygamy spin written down as though it’s cultural sensitivity.”

The tip sheet is accurate on some points. It says that FLDS children do not play competitive games. The FLDS discourage such activities if winning is the goal rather than having a good time, one parent said.

It’s true, too, that FLDS parents are advised to avoid exposing their children to fairy tales and animated characters with human characteristics, such as talking animals, which demean God’s creations, the woman said.

It also is correct that the FLDS avoid wearing red clothing, a color they consider sacred. The tip sheet suggests that, out of respect, CPS workers do likewise.

This is a summary extract from the full article as it appeared on Salt Lake Tribune, April 22 2008
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