The Learning Channel’s new reality show "Sister Wives" is an unqualified hit, giving Americans a voyeuristic peek into the dynamic of the Kody Brown household of four wives, thirteen kids, and four step-children. There’s ample opportunity for high drama in this potentially explosive situation, as my husband observes when discussing polygamy; each wife comes with a mother-in-law. Oddly, these
sister wives seem happy with their lot and produce less drama than many who are in so-called ‘normal’ marriages.
"Sister Wives" may soon turn into a court-room drama. Though Brown pleads "Freedom of Religion" the fact remains that polygamy is against both state and Mormon Church law. Another reason the show is under investigation are the number of sects and cults which – while hiding under the banner of religion and polygamy, are guilty of shocking sexual abuse of children, Anti-semitism, racism, and attempts to overthrow the government. While none of this seems evident in the Brown family,it does raise a question. Does your individual religious belief trump state and federal law?