Is prostitution wrong?

[nnmartin]

There is plenty of opposition to prostitution in many religions and society as a whole but is it really wrong?

I'm thinking about both sides of the profession - the customers and the workers.

Surely if you want to provide it then that is your choice and if you want to partake in the services offered then that is your choice also. Obviously free will and standard consent issues apply.

any views?

 

[Madhuri]

I don't think most prostitutes enjoy their occupations. For the most part it is desperation that leads a person into doing that. There is a lot of danger and abuse in that field and it is very unhealthy. Yes, I think it's a bad thing. I don't think the women are bad. I think it is sad that they are ever driven to it.

 

[Bob Dixon]

Madhuri, totally spot on!

But even without all that, it's still wrong, I think. This is coming from the point of view of my religion; sex is about love and it's sacred, so to pay money for it is wrong, as paying money (something unholy) for holy things is, logically, no good.

Still, it shouldn't be illegal. It's the oldest profession and it's gonna go on, so it might as well be legal, so that it can be regulated and safety cna be ensured.

 

[Meow Mix]

I think it should be regulated, but I don't see why it's illegal. Giving a massage for money seems to be legal, after all -- what's the difference?

 

[Father Heathen]

I don't see the problem as long as everyone involved are consenting adults.

 

[Vinayaka]

I think it is unfortunate, but an admission of who some humans really are ... somewhat lustful beings ... so although I disapprove for myself, I think it has its purpose, but should be regulated, controlled, kept clean, and taxed. Sure beats rape as an alternative. But since rape is essentially about power, not sex, it may not work.

I don't really see the problem in places where it is regulated. Until someone comes up with some other better alternative...

 

[fallingblood]

I think it should be regulated, but I don't see why it's illegal. Giving a massage for money seems to be legal, after all -- what's the difference?

I agree with this. I personally think that it should be legalized and regulated. That would make it so much safer in every way.

I wouldn't go to a prostitute though. But for some, it can be very good. Not just physically but emotionally.

 

[Quintessence]

It seems somewhat silly to to me pay someone for sex. It's gotten easily enough without paying money. If one is going to pay for it, it better be worth the cost. Worth the cost means I expect them to be a credited graduate of a pleasure school (which don't exist) and regulated/certified to be free of STDs (such regulation also doesn't exist). Both of these things not existing means prostitution = pointless waste of time and money at best, dangerous at worst.

 

[Skwim]

I don't think most prostitutes enjoy their occupations. For the most part it is desperation that leads a person into doing that. There is a lot of danger and abuse in that field and it is very unhealthy. Yes, I think it's a bad thing. I don't think the women are bad. I think it is sad that they are ever driven to it.

Speaking to the point of prostitution being joyless, many jobs are, some even exhausting and mind numbing to boot. And the same thing, desperation, pushes people into these other jobs. As for danger, fishing, logging, and firefighting are extremely dangerous occupations.

 

[Gaura Priya]

According to Srila Prabhupada, one of the teachers that I gain knowledge from, said that prostitution as a profession should be made legalised, and that one can even be a devotee of Krishna and still maintain one's life for the profession.

It's a different thing to do prostitution because you're forced to do it to make a living, and another thing altogether to become a hooker to feed one's drug addictions. As deplorable as it may be, it is unfortunately so unbelievably common all over the world. For the safety of the girls AND the clients, I believe that legalisation is the way to go.

To think that things like brothels, bathhouses, prostitution and escort services, etc. will go away in the future seems pointless. There will always be a class of men in the world who will desire those services... legalisation and regulation of such things seem, in my opinion, best for the maintenance of a decent society.

 

[K.Venugopal]

Prostitution as a profession ought to be treated on par with all other professions. But if one is forced into it, then it is as bad as slavery and those involved must be brought to account.

 

[K.Venugopal]

According to Srila Prabhupada, one of the teachers that I gain knowledge from, said that prostitution as a profession should be made legalised, and that one can even be a devotee of Krishna and still maintain one's life for the profession.

I did not know Srila Prabhupada said this. It was bold of him. He was a bold person anyway, never hesitating to call what he thinks is a spade a spade. (His use of 'rascals' and all that.)

 

[freethinker44]

I don't think most prostitutes enjoy their occupations. For the most part it is desperation that leads a person into doing that. There is a lot of danger and abuse in that field and it is very unhealthy. Yes, I think it's a bad thing. I don't think the women are bad. I think it is sad that they are ever driven to it.

This statement could probably be applied to just about any job.

Legalization and regulation of prostitution would fix or greatly reduce most of the problems you listed.

 

[Meow Mix]

It seems somewhat silly to to me pay someone for sex. It's gotten easily enough without paying money. If one is going to pay for it, it better be worth the cost. Worth the cost means I expect them to be a credited graduate of a pleasure school (which don't exist) and regulated/certified to be free of STDs (such regulation also doesn't exist). Both of these things not existing means prostitution = pointless waste of time and money at best, dangerous at worst.

You're not paying for the sex, you're paying for her/him to leave you alone afterwards

 

[nnmartin]

Where I live prostitution is rife - it really is everywhere.

Now occasianally it has been known for a group of evangelical Christians to park themselves outside certain tourist 'bars' for the purpose of saving the girls and customers with the word of God. They tell the customers to go home and masturbate instead.

How about the girls that then go without their money from the trade?

I think the standard response is 'God will provide for them' but I doubt he really puts food on the table or pays these girls' rent.

What is the solution to that one? (bear in mind there are very few regular jobs for locals in Cambodia).

 

[Sleeppy]

Why not go all the way and ask if anything is wrong to do.

If people are willing to offer and others to pay for it, then why not?

SMH.. There's def. a lot of shallow thought processes in here.

 

[Gaura Priya]

I did not know Srila Prabhupada said this. It was bold of him. He was a bold person anyway, never hesitating to call what he thinks is a spade a spade. (His use of 'rascals' and all that.)

Yeah, he was strict in his theological assertions, and mudha was part of that vocabulary.

I refer to his commentary in his translation of the Srimad-Bhagavatam, First Canto, Chapter 11, verse 19:

"We may not hate even the prostitutes if they are devotees of the Lord. Even to date there are many prostitutes in great cities of India who are sincere devotees of the Lord. By tricks of chance one may be obliged to adopt a profession which is not very adorable in society, but that does not hamper one in executing devotional service to the Lord. Devotional service to the Lord is uncheckable in all circumstances.

It is understood herewith that even in those days, about five thousand years ago, there were prostitutes in a city like Dvaraka, where Lord Krishna resided. This means that prostitutes are necessary citizens for the proper upkeep of society. The government opens wine shops, but this does not mean that the government encourages the drinking of wine. The idea is that there is a class of men who will drink at any cost, and it has been experienced that prohibition in great cities encouraged illicit smuggling of wine. Similarly, men who are not satisfied at home require such concessions, and if there is no prostitute, then such low men will induce others into prostitution.

It is better that prostitutes be available in the marketplace so that the sanctity of society can be maintained. It is better to maintain a class of prostitutes than to encourage prostitutes within society. The real reformation is to enlighten all people to become devotees of the Lord, and that will check all kinds of deteriorating factors of life."

The rest of the commentary and the original verse can be found here: Srimad Bhagavatam Canto 1 Chapter 11 Verse 19

 

[nnmartin]

Sleepy:

That could apply to many things though.

Why not ban alcohol, tobacco, gambling, pornography, minimum wage jobs, compulsory car insurance , soldiers of fortune etc..?

Many things perfectly legal but just as morally grey.

 

[Sonic247]

You're not paying for the sex, you're paying for her/him to leave you alone afterwards

Unfortunately that is true. Off course it's wrong, but people probably figure at least this way no ones heart breaks. Although on the other hand the business probably produces broken hearts. If a woman's husband sleeps with a prostitute is she partly to blame if she is "advertising" to him. I would say so, at least partially. I think most people would say it's just his fault, but people are weak already, why make things harder on them. Even in this present day I still think there is something beautiful in a traditional marriage (I mean there can be)but it almost seems like a fragile plant that rarely grows through the concrete of this society. Is it our covetousness, or maybe are hardheartedness, or lust, or laziness... who knows.

 

[fallingblood]

It seems somewhat silly to to me pay someone for sex. It's gotten easily enough without paying money. If one is going to pay for it, it better be worth the cost. Worth the cost means I expect them to be a credited graduate of a pleasure school (which don't exist) and regulated/certified to be free of STDs (such regulation also doesn't exist). Both of these things not existing means prostitution = pointless waste of time and money at best, dangerous at worst.

When regulated, such as in Nevada, it can and is certified STD free. That is why regulation is needed.

Also, some people can't get sex so easily. And for some, it is simply for that physical contact without a commitment.