Legalize Prostitution: A Christian Challenge

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA!

Yes, of ALL THE WORLD, the United States of America, home of CHRISTIANS, loving arms open to immigrants, the hungry, the depressed, the oppressed, is US, the dumping ground for the oldest profession in the world! There we are, on the map, fully covered in bright red, a safe, sanctified harbor for the dark, ugly practice of child endangerment, slavery, forced prostitution and more!

We are hypocrites.

CAVEAT: However, I do NOT advocate prostitution. In a better world that profession is left untouched where there is no desperation in choice. I advocate education and self-pride. And, Christians by the fact they are, Christ ians, are obligated to rescue the thousands of unwanted children who are trapped in an endless cycle of misery and poverty.

AMERICAN INGENUITY

Americans, just ask us, we’ll tell you, we’re the best! And I believe that we are - or at least were - not too long ago.

We can orbit the moon, go to the depths of the seas, build rockets, create warheads so powerful that with the flick of a switch we can easily send death and destruction thousands of miles in any direction and kill thousands of people.

Yet we can’t save our children from drugs, prostitution and slavery.

Uh, well, yes we can, but first we need to study the problem.

The problem of prostitution records back at least 4,000 years. From written history the profession seems to fluctuate and waiver in importance.

What’s to study?

SEX DRIVE AS A BIOLOGICAL DRIVE - NOT PSYCHOLOGICAL

Some men tell me in candid conversations that the need for sex, at times, can be a pervasive pressure, a physical, biological pressure that is imperative to release.

These men say that the physical pressure of the sexual drive can be intense. They also say the pressure over-rides any mental resistance - it’s in-sane. And then that pressure may be so intense the need for release results in rape. The act is not necessarily pre-planned, it’s a physical pressure - a reaction, nothing the man can control.

I believe this is true, that at times the biological need for sexual release overrides all civilized training and control - it’s sub-conscious.

Therefore, it seems reasonable that this intense, physical pressure should have a specific, purposeful location for controlled release, prostitution being one type of controlled, safe, release.

PROSTITUTES

So, who are the prostitutes? Where do they come from? Why are they prostitutes and not ophthalmologists? Do they have alternative choices? Do they understand the social stigma that is prevalent and the ever-present physical danger that is possible under this life-style?

Do these girls (and boys) have an awareness of the possible mental damage that such a profession might incur? Are they aware of random physical diseases, easily transmitted, and the stress, the anxiety, from incessant fear of impending death?

And, is prostitution kept illegal in order to protect young girls and boys from the diseases and social stigma?

If so, it’s not working.

Random sex is accessible almost anywhere, any time. Turn on the TV, go to the theater, sex is where ever you turn. And, you don’t need to be a prostitute to get random diseases. They’re available on any street corner.

If it’s the oldest profession, there must be a reason why.

Let’s start at the beginning, the history of prostitution.

DEFINITION OF PROSTITUTION

Before any discussion starts, it’s critical to establish clear grounds, such as knowing the actual definition of the concept of prostitute from the Latin or Greek languages. For instance, today the word, expose is indicative of a negative understanding which may be wrongly interpreted.

Prostitute: In Latin prostitutus, is the past participle of prostituere, toplace before or in front, stand in front, hence "expose publicly. Politicians were exposed" since they are public figures.

In some eras the word indicated shame. It meant, to stand up in front of, meaning to shame, or to ridicule. (Pro- in front of, stitute - situated)

The Pilgrims shamed people by putting them in front of the townspeople in stocks in the village square. Often, Pilgrims would put their law-breakers in hand stocks, foot stocks - or both - clip their ears, whip them and brand them.

They labeled the women, in particular, in some humiliating way.

EARLY RECORDS OF PROSTITUTION

2400 B.C. - Sumerian Records (4,421years ago.)

Sumer, an ancient city in the Mesopotamian region (now southern Iraq), has records describing the role of prostitutes as entertainers.

Their work was specifically limited to the temples along with transvestites, barbers, cooks, female M.D.’s and scribes.

They stood out in front of others as performers, to entertain. In today’s use it doesn’t necessarily mean to shame or ridicule. In today’s better understanding of that era, prostitute meant to perform, such as clowns, dancers, jugglers, etc. It was used as in entertainment, amusement.

The geisha girls of Japan were not prostitutes, specifically. They entertained men by playing instruments, dancing, lively conversation - a fun relaxation from the stress of business. Executives could talk shop in a more casual atmosphere.

Until 70 years ago, prostitution in Japan was legal. But that changed because of an up-roar from the wives. They objected strenuously to the easy, relaxed interaction between their husbands and younger, available girls.

Now it’s illegal.

180 B.C. - Roman Regulations

Prostitution was legal in Rome. The girls were required to register and they had their own goddess and their own temple. The workers were considered low class, uneducated and were not accorded the same civic standing as other citizens. Most of the workers were slaves who had no rights under any conditions.

34 B.C. Flat Fee Tax

Caligula initiated a tax on both the brothels and the personnel which, of course, made a positive impact on the treasury. He imposed a flat fee regardless of the actual earnings. To meet the quota, many prostitutes, who were unlovely or boring, had to put in much overtime.

The fees brought in a tidy amount to spend on the next war and the next festival in his honor. I wonder, if being Emperor, he got a cut rate…?

79 A.D. - Pompeii

Etched in the sidewalks of Pompeii are bags of gold with sparkle marks denoting that a neighborhood of prostitutes was nearby. These etchings were advertisements leading the way to the brothels for sailors and lonely business men.

They could purchase