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FSU Marriage Agencies Helping to Save the Samaritans
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Posted by: French_Misha

A fascinating http://www.theglobeandmail.com/serv...geRequested=all in today's Globe and Mail, Canada's self-proclaimed national newspaper. It seems the Samaritans still exist but they are beset with a number of genetic problems after centuries of population decline and strict rules forbidding marriage outside the community.

According to the Globe and Mail: "The Samaritans' numbers have dwindled because of an ancient tradition of marrying only within the community, a strictly observed rule that led to a dwindling gene pool and a rising number of birth defects."

What was the solution that some of the 701 remaining Samaritans found: marriage agencies and women from the FSU.

How does a Samaritan find a good wife? Here is the description that the Globe and Mail provides: "With his son, the genial, white-bearded cleric went through a catalogue sent by the Ukrainian marriage agency and helped his son pick out the slim and pretty Alexandra, hoping she would bear him healthy grandchildren."

A lot is at stake: "There's a lot riding on women such as Ms. Cohen staying and learning to live happily among the Samaritans. Despite the culture clash, High Priest Elazar said her arrival has the potential to save a disappearing way of life."

So there you go, the Mail-Order Bride business may save a people and a culture dating back thousands of years.

Posted by: EasyTarget

I really wonder if Alexandria had any idea of what the Samaritan lifestyle, culture, and people are like. Did she realize what she was marrying into?

Granted I am not saying anything negative about the Samaritan's, I would be curious as to how much was explained to her in advance. And if she is willing to accept the cultural and lifestyle changes. It just looks like a recipe for disaster.

Posted by: French_Misha

Quote:

Originally Posted by EasyTarget

I really wonder if Alexandria had any idea of what the Samaritan lifestyle, culture, and people are like. Did she realize what she was marrying into?

Granted I am not saying anything negative about the Samaritan's, I would be curious as to how much was explained to her in advance. And if she is willing to accept the cultural and lifestyle changes. It just looks like a recipe for disaster.

Well, the article indicates that the women have returned home after being married. Given that they returned to the Samaritan husbands, they must be willing to accept the cultural and lifestyle changes. Besides, where would they not face cultural and lifestyle changes?