Salvation Army bans Duggar cult's 'retreat' that promoted arranged marriages for teen girls

A Christian retreat for Quiverfull fathers to marry off their teen daughters has been cancelled after Raw Story readers expressed concerns that the event constitutes human trafficking and contacted the Salvation Army which owns the campground where that retreat was scheduled to be held in Wichita.

Quiverfull patriarch, Vaughn Ohlman, organized a "Get Them Married" retreat for the purpose of providing a weekend where ultra-conservative Christian fathers could network with like-minded families "(and their unmarried young men and women) who are committed to young, fruitful marriage and to help them overcome the barriers which have kept their children unmarried.”

The Raw Story article sparked outrage among readers and many were moved to action, demanding that authorities be notified in order to protect the children who were slated to be married off young for the purpose of procreating lots of babies for Jesus.

Readers discovered that Camp Hiawatha, where the retreat was planned to be held, is owned by the Salvation Army. I contacted a good friend who is a officer at the Salvation Army's training school in Chicago, and she responded right away to let me know the Wichita corps has already denied access to Ohlman's group for what would have amounted to a child trafficking "retreat."

Kudos to the Salvation Army for their quick and appropriate response to a truly wicked and sick bunch of patriarchs' plans to profit from the "Bride Price" of their virgin daughters.

Update: The Salvation Army of Wichita/Sedgwick County released a statement on the group's decision, as seen below.

The Salvation Army has denied a request by the Let Them Marry organization to conduct its event at Camp Hiawatha.

Our decision is based upon our long-standing concern for the welfare of children. At The Salvation Army, we work every single day to provide a safe, caring place for children, many of whom have been left vulnerable due to the actions of adults.

We remain steadfastly focused on our mission of advocating for and protecting children.

Update, 7:15 p.m. EST: Ohlman's group said on its website that the event has been canceled.