Thursday, April 24, 2003

Polygamist Leader criticized Pennsylvania Senator United Apostolic Brethren leader Owen Allred criticized Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum's comments about plural marriage. Santorum included polygamy in his litany of private activities he believes should be banned. His comments came in response to a Supreme Court decision protecting private activity (in this case homosexuality) in Texas. Santorum argues there is no constitutonal right of privacy for polygamy, homosexuality, incest, and adultery. Allred, whose group openly practices polygamy in Bluffdale, agreed with Santorum that there was an erosion of the sacred rights of marriage, but didn't think polygamy fell within the scope of acitivities that should be exempt from constitutional protection. Santorum is facing challenges to his position as chairman of the GOP conference in the senate by those opposed to his views. Although polygamy is against the law in Utah, authorities have not enforced the ban against Allred's group. [Casper Star-Tribune] 9:22:26 AM