When does it cross the line from religion to violation?

If you have not already heard, polygamy has been in the spotlight lately, and not the fun kind that guys fantasize about. I'm talking about the spiritual marriages between multiple 14-year old girls and 30-year old men. At a 1,900-acre ranch in Texas called Yearning for Zion, YFZ, authorities conducted a raid where they took 416 children into custody. This was prompted after police received a call from a 14-year-old girl who claimed her husband was sexually and physically abusing her, according to an article on CNN.

I've been following this story on the news and I am truly shocked. I had no idea that polygamy was actually still going on. I've heard of the TV show on HBO called Big Love, which is a modern show about polygamy today, but I thought that was just a show.

So, I know this country was founded on religious freedom, but when does the line need to be drawn between religious freedom and injustice? Can a 14-year-old really be mature enough to get married and have children?

Both sides are arguing their points vigorously. The Fundamentalists Church of Latter Day Saints, labeled a rouge sect of the Mormon Church by CNN.com, is on the defense for their actions.

They are claiming the phone call was not from anyone within the ranch and this is an unfair attack on their religion.

The women of the ranch who had their children taken away went on television to state their position. In a live interview on "The Today Show" by Meredith Vieira. They spoke about how badly the children are being treated and all accusations were false.

As I watched it I couldn't help but to form an opinion about how brain washed these women were.

They all look like they just came straight out of the Oregon Trail. They all dress the same, pastel ankle length dresses, no make-up and pompadour styled hair.

OK, I shouldn't be talking so much about their appearance, but really its so "Stepford Wives" from the early 1970s. They all believe everything is so perfect in their ranch and that everything they are doing is totally right.

In the interview they all talked so slow and looked so zoned out. I felt like they were seriously brainless. This may sound extremely rude, but go to YouTube, watch the video and you will know what I am talking about.

The prosecution is going to fight on the grounds that many of these "spiritual marriages" are illegal since they never went through Texas courts. Also they are saying many of the marriages were coerced because the children were so young.

Someone on an MSNBC segment summed up the issue as "just because freedom of religion is a right does not mean you can hide behind it to do illegal things."

I totally agree with that. I think freedom of religion is a very important right we have in this country. I also believe that some crimes deserve punishment. I do not think any person under the age of 16 can make a decision as important as marriage and having children.

Even a mature young adult still needs time to learn about life and love. I think these people are living in a society where they are all submerged in radical beliefs and do not know any better.

I honestly feel bad for them and I hope that something good comes from all this and the children aren't just tossed into this crazy world we are used to.