'Get Them Married' retreat cancelled; organizer 'appreciates' so-called anti-Christian sites' Biblical commentary

The controversial "Get Them Married" retreat, initially slated to take place in Kansas, was cancelled because of the outcry against the premise behind the event. Those behind the retreat have reportedly called it Christian persecution.

A report by Raw Story revealed that Vaughn Ohlman, an adherent of Quiverfull, a conservative fundamentalist Christian couples movement that advocates large families, was to run the retreat. There, parents could reportedly arrange marriages for their very young daughters without the need to get their consent. During the weekend event, fathers would reportedly select suitable underage brides for their likewise underage sons.

"Well our main blog and my daughter-in-law's blog have been picked up by Raw Story, Free Jinger, and a dozen or so more left wing and anti-Christian sites," Ohlman said, as quoted by Inquistr. "Words cannot describe how much we appreciate their well thought out, pleasantly written, Biblical commentary on our various posts. They are especially impressed with our proposed 'Get Them Married' retreat idea."

Raw Story said in their report that a family could join the three-day event for a hefty sum of $1,200, and they could "network" with like-minded individuals who, among other things, believe that kids should be isolated and indoctrinated into believing that early marriage is Biblical, and that women should be "submissive baby-makers." On top of this, men should be in control of everything.

According to Ohlman, girls should be married as soon as possible -- when she has "breasts who promise enjoyment for her husband"; when she can bear children; and when she's ready for sexual union, as "her desire is for her husband, and she is ready to rejoice in him physically."

Moreover, they cite scripture as the source of their belief that the father of a boy takes a wife for his son, while the father of a girl gives her as bride. Moreover, the groom gives the girl's father a "bride price," which the father allegedly keeps for his daughter in case the husband abandons her.

The Salvation Army, the organization that owns the premises in Wichita that the "Get Them Married" retreat organizers rented, does not agree with the group's plans and has denied them use of the property.

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

Ohlman, according to Christian Today, has denied that the retreat was for arranging marriages and said that he opposes child marriages.