I'm saying there is an extensive difference in brain maturity, and 17 is just as arbitrary as 18.

Brain development:

Paying someone to cut you open and sew you back together in a more aesthetically pleasing configuration is awesome! What's weeks or months in excruciating pain and years in debt compared to being Attractive and Popular?

People are going to have sex, regardless of how much disapproval society throws at them. Counseling abstinence is ineffective, at best, and encourages risky sexual practices at worst.

Because unwanted children cost way more, financially and socially, than providing free birth control.

Just like a lot of other cults, they sell 'programs' and 'retreats'. Quick googling gave me this:

This needs to be at the top of the page.

They're using money to coerce consent already, it's just the next level of coercion. Why would they care?

Part of the problem is that when you've been close to an addict, they've likely, lied, cheated, stolen, wrecked your stuff, and just generally been really abusive to the people around them. It's hard. People refuse treatment and move in and out of jail and loved ones are left in a position of protecting themselves…

There's definitely a middle ground between absolute prohibition and buying meth at the gas station.

Cause let's face it. We're killing small babies here.

I've known quite a few responsible breeders. Their puppies are expensive and there's a waiting list for every litter.

Oh, he's a troll. New name, guess he got banned and couldn't stay away.

Okay, started grooming her to be a child bride.

A 14 year old who was repeatedly raped by an adult she later married wound up bitter, angry, and fucked in the head?

I wish that was true, but it's probably not. :(

Religious parents are sometimes charged with crimes for refusing medical treatment for their children. It's hit and miss enforcing the law, though.

It's especially obnoxious after all the 'If it's a real rape, it should be reported to the authorities - otherwise it doesn't count!' comments they were leaving before this.