Prostitution

[elaina]

I was watching Pretty Woman and I hadn't ever really watched it before. It was sad in that this beautiful lady (Julia Roberts? this movie is quite old) in the story ended up being a prostitute. One thing she said I forgot what exactly but it was something like If people put you down enough you start to believe it. I don't remember it was something like that, and it got me thinking that many women are prostitutes not cause they necessarily chose to be, but just sorta got into it in order to survive. About her statement about people putting someone down, there is a girl who makes me so sad cause she has been raped and hurt a lot and she calls herself a whore. How can a little girl call herself that? It's cause others call her that, and she has started to believe their lies. She is promiscuius not cause she wants to be, but she is looking for love, and a sense of belonging. I hope she doesn't turn to drugs and alcohol like so many people do, cause that just makes things worse. I wish there was a way to take her out of her terrible environment and for her to be in an environment where she feels loved without doing things with guys and where she can heal and have confidence in herself and esteem for herself and wait till she is a woman and more mature and then having a wonderful relationship with a great man.

 

Many women become prostitutes becuase they get hooked on drugs/alcohol and need a way to pay for it. Others get into it because they are forced. (Actually MANY MANY are forced into it, called trafficking, and this happens all over the world, including here in my country Others get into it because they are so used to being used that they feel they might as well get paid for it. Others simply do it as a way to get by just in paying normal bills (food, rent, all that kind of thing.)

 

After I divorced 2 years ago it was hard because I had always been used to my Dad taking care of all my financial needs and then my husband taking care of everything. My parents have helped me so much since the divorce and I honestly don't know how I would have survived without them. I know for sure I wouldn't be going to school full time if they hadn't helped me. I did nanny which I loved but that's cause the Mom is a good friend and her kids are great. Anyways, I'm saying this cause it did occur to me to be a not a prostitute mind you but a mistress? I don't know what it's called sugarbaby something like that to a good friend who isn't married who is a guy who liked me. This goes against my beliefs and I know God would not have been pleased with me if I had done this and I didn't and thanks to God. I know I would have hurt very badly my soul (and this guy's too) if I had done that. Thank God also that my parents helped me but it was hard cause I was used to living well and then to all of a sudden not... that is a weird position. I can't imagine how many girls feel who have not lived well (in having all financial needs met especially without having to work hard) and yeah I understand how many do go into prostitution willingly in order to "live" better. It is nice to live in luxury and be clean and have money to eat what you want and have a nice place to sleep and have pretty things those are very nice, and yes I understand why girls pose for what they shouldn't, because of the money and also in a weird way if you're not a believer in God, there's a fame and excitement and power to being lusted after, and they feel "loved" to a certain extent.

 

About prostitution, God hates it. He hates it because it hurts those involved. It can hurt their bodies in that it is a very easy way to spread disease, and it most definitely hurts their souls. There are many prostitutes who do not live long and whose soul has become very hard becuase they have to learn how to be unpersonal. Just like in the movie pretty woman how she says she never kisses on the mouth cause she needs to make sure it doesn't get too personal, well, prostitution damages the soul/spirit of the person. YES PROSTITUTES HAVE SOULS. They are women (and men and terribly sadly girls and boys) who are people who have souls and their souls do get hurt, whether they realize it or not.

 

They can be healed. God loves prostitutes, whether they have been forced into it and raped or whether they have willingly gotten into it. God wants them to be healed. In the Old Testament, there is a prostitute named Rahab who repented and became a grandmother of King David and later on in his line of ancestry, of Jesus!!! God forgives.

 

About the Samaritan woman, Jesus did not condemn her (and she wasn't a prostitute I don't think but she was promiscuous) This is what happened with her, [/COLOR]

John 4

 

" 4Now he had to go through Samaria. 5So he came to a town in Samaria called Sychar, near the plot of ground Jacob had given to his son Joseph. 6Jacob's well was there, and Jesus, tired as he was from the journey, sat down by the well. It was about the sixth hour.

 

7When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, "Will you give me a drink?" 8(His disciples had gone into the town to buy food.)

 

9The Samaritan woman said to him, "You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?" (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans.[a])

 

10Jesus answered her, "If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water."

 

11"Sir," the woman said, "you have nothing to draw with and the well is deep. Where can you get this living water? 12Are you greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did also his sons and his flocks and herds?"

 

13Jesus answered, "Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, 14but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life."

 

15The woman said to him, "Sir, give me this water so that I won't get thirsty and have to keep coming here to draw water."

 

16He told her, "Go, call your husband and come back."

 

17"I have no husband," she replied.

 

Jesus said to her, "You are right when you say you have no husband. 18The fact is, you have had five husbands, and the man you now have is not your husband. What you have just said is quite true."

 

19"Sir," the woman said, "I can see that you are a prophet. 20Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, but you Jews claim that the place where we must worship is in Jerusalem."

 

21Jesus declared, "Believe me, woman, a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. 22You Samaritans worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews. 23Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. 24God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth."

 

25The woman said, "I know that Messiah" (called Christ) "is coming. When he comes, he will explain everything to us."

 

26Then Jesus declared, "I who speak to you am he."

 

27Just then his disciples returned and were surprised to find him talking with a woman. But no one asked, "What do you want?" or "Why are you talking with her?"

28Then, leaving her water jar, the woman went back to the town and said to the people, 29"Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Christ?" 30They came out of the town and made their way toward him.

 

31Meanwhile his disciples urged him, "Rabbi, eat something."

 

32But he said to them, "I have food to eat that you know nothing about."

 

33Then his disciples said to each other, "Could someone have brought him food?"

 

34"My food," said Jesus, "is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work. 35Do you not say, 'Four months more and then the harvest'? I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest. 36Even now the reaper draws his wages, even now he harvests the crop for eternal life, so that the sower and the reaper may be glad together. 37Thus the saying 'One sows and another reaps' is true. 38I sent you to reap what you have not worked for. Others have done the hard work, and you have reaped the benefits of their labor."

 

More specifically about prostitutes...

 

Matthew 21

 

" 28"What do you think? There was a man who had two sons. He went to the first and said, 'Son, go and work today in the vineyard.'

29" 'I will not,' he answered, but later he changed his mind and went.

 

30"Then the father went to the other son and said the same thing. He answered, 'I will, sir,' but he did not go.

 

31"Which of the two did what his father wanted?"

"The first," they answered.

 

Jesus said to them, "I tell you the truth, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you. 32For John came to you to show you the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes did. And even after you saw this, you did not repent and believe him."

 

 

This woman it does not say if she is a prostitute or not but there is speculation that she could possibly have been...

Luke 7

 

36Now one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to have dinner with him, so he went to the Pharisee's house and reclined at the table. 37When a woman who had lived a sinful life in that town learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee's house, she brought an alabaster jar of perfume, 38and as she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them.

39When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, "If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is—that she is a sinner."

 

40Jesus answered him, "Simon, I have something to tell you."

"Tell me, teacher," he said.

 

41"Two men owed money to a certain moneylender. One owed him five hundred denarii,[d] and the other fifty. 42Neither of them had the money to pay him back, so he canceled the debts of both. Now which of them will love him more?"

 

43Simon replied, "I suppose the one who had the bigger debt canceled."

"You have judged correctly," Jesus said.

 

44Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, "Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. 45You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. 46You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet. 47Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—for she loved much. But he who has been forgiven little loves little."

 

48Then Jesus said to her, "Your sins are forgiven."

 

49The other guests began to say among themselves, "Who is this who even forgives sins?"

 

50Jesus said to the woman, "Your faith has saved you; go in peace."

[RecordProducer]

Sad subject. I only read the first five paragraphs, but nice of you to advocate their side. However, I am sure that there is a lot of scum in that crowd.

[Lizzie60]

Amen...

[DutchGuy]

No doubt worldwide most prostitutes are forced to sell their bodies, but there are also a lot of women that choose to be a prostitute.

In Holland, a prostitute is a tax-paying carreer woman.

Okay, I wouldn't want to see my sister doing it, but I wouldn't want her to marry some rich guy only because of his money either, although both would be her own choice (Everybody knows some women that basically sleep with a man for his money).

And what about nude models or exotic dancers?

Is the image of addicted, abused women accurate?

What if some girl needs the money for school or their kids?

I'm well aware of countries where people are forced to be a prostitute, but since it will always be there, why not make sure that these women can work in safe way?

 

PS

Keep in mind that your god could prevent war, abuse and pain with a snap of the fingers.

[shadowofman]

The more we demonize promiscuity and prostitution, the worse it will get.

[Enema]

What makes you think prostitutes want your god fairytale or his forgiveness?

 

Your claim that prostitution hurts people is largely debatable, and I don't doubt there are many many prostitutes happy with their lives that would be offended at your judgement of them.

 

Judge not lest something something...?

[elaina]

What makes you think prostitutes want your god fairytale or his forgiveness?

 

Your claim that prostitution hurts people is largely debatable, and I don't doubt there are many many prostitutes happy with their lives that would be offended at your judgement of them.

 

Judge not lest something something...?

 

 

Hey now don't be hatin on nobody neither christians nor prostitutes k?

 

This post is not hating on prostitutes nor is it judging them. And if you or prostitutes or anybody else doesn't' believe in God, that's everybody's right to believe what they believe or what they dont believe as long as they don't hurt anybody. This post isn't to force or try to persuade anybody, it's just what I believe and you can take it or leave it. So if you don't believe in God why not be tolerant of those who do yeah? Peace.

[Xed]

Elaina,

 

What I hear from you has less to do with prostitution and more to do with low self-esteem and a kind of "learned helplessness" that comes from being dependent on others for too long. These feelings often lead us to compromise our lives significantly. One person might become a hoarder, saving everything he comes across because he believes that one day he won't be able to support himself. Another person might glom on to a wealthy "sugar daddy" -- or, eventually, turn to prostitution.

 

You don't need to turn on the red light, Elaina. You are probably more capable of finding your own way in the world than you realize.

 

Good luck.

[sb129]

In Holland, a prostitute is a tax-paying carreer woman..

And in New Zealand they are too.

 

Since prostitution was legalised, it has cleaned up in NZ significantly. It is much much safer and regulated.

 

I'm well aware of countries where people are forced to be a prostitute, but since it will always be there, why not make sure that these women can work in safe way?

 

Precisely. Its the oldest profession in the world (I think), its mentioned in the Bible- it will never never ever go away.

 

PS

Keep in mind that your god could prevent war, abuse and pain with a snap of the fingers.

[Trialbyfire]

There's no doubt most prostitutes are victims of circumstances, addictions or major personal issues. I don't think they need to be saved though. I think they need to get their head of their hindquarters and get working on their circumstances, addictions and major psychological issues. Much of what prevents this, is that it's a lucrative business, whether it's from the perspective of the prostitute or her pimp.

[RecordProducer]

What if some girl needs the money for school or their kids?

In a first-world country (and even in a second-world), there si no need for a woman to resort to the last option in order to survive or feed her kids. I would rather work the dirtiest job and teach my kids to be haord-working, honorable citizens than hook to pay for my school. F the school, my body is not for sale. Anyone can get a decent job for a low pay and survive in the western world.

I'm well aware of countries where people are forced to be a prostitute, but since it will always be there, why not make sure that these women can work in safe way?

It's a tabboo, so it has to drop to the bottom of the society in order to thrive. This equals it to crime. The worst part of prostitution, IMO, is that they have to deal to such scums as pimps, drug dealers, and murderers.

 

The more we demonize promiscuity and prostitution, the worse it will get.

This is very true. The problem though is in the clients: if they respected these women, they would have been in a different position. How can a woman be forced to be a prostitute in the middle of a western, developd country? hite slavery is today's reality. How come these women can't escape from the claws of their masters? Because nobody cares. A client comes to get off and doesn't care to report to the police what's going on. Those clients are as bad as the criminals in this industry.

Judge not lest something something...?

She does everything BUT JUDGE! She feels sorry for them.

 

You don't need to turn on the red light, Elaina. You are probably more capable of finding your own way in the world than you realize.

 

Good luck.

I don't think Elaina favors prostitution or sees her future in it. The thought that crossed her mind once was just a thought, not a plan or action. Thoughts don't count.

[WitchyLady]

There are a lot of prostitutes that get into it for all the wrong reasons. Who are messed up emotionally and who make the choice to be one on the basis of those need, be it a need for money, drugs, or whatever.

 

But there are also a lot of women who simply like the money, who don't see sex as particularly sacred, and who use prostitution as a means to an end.

 

I had a close gal pal in college who was a call girl.

 

She made more money in a day than I did in a month.

 

She did it through college, to pay the bills, and that's all it was, a job.

 

She later gave it up, became a doctor, and went on to lead a normal life completely with a husband and kids, and yes, the husband knew she'd been a call girl.

 

Did she harm anyone by being a call girl?

 

Nope.

 

Did anyone care?

 

Nope...

 

I have big problems with people being forced into prostitution, but with prostitution itself?

 

Not really.

 

It's existed for almost as long as humanity has, and it's only relatively recently that it's gone from an acceptable occupation to an unforgivable one.

 

I do think it should be regulated, and that health checks should be done, but ban it completely?

 

Nah...

[elaina]

 

This is very true. The problem though is in the clients: if they respected these women, they would have been in a different position. How can a woman be forced to be a prostitute in the middle of a western, developd country? hite slavery is today's reality. How come these women can't escape from the claws of their masters? Because nobody cares. A client comes to get off and doesn't care to report to the police what's going on. Those clients are as bad as the criminals in this industry.

 

I don't think Elaina favors prostitution or sees her future in it. The thought that crossed her mind once was just a thought, not a plan or action. Thoughts don't count.

 

Yeah I personally I think. Many of the clients don't care about the women. I guess some do and some fall in love but I think most don't really care about them, it's just like they trade money for sex and that's that.

Thanks for clarifying that RecordProducer Yeah I did think about it for a second cause it does make a lot of money like WitchyLady says, but it is not something I can do and love and believe in God at the same time, because if I am in need of anything, I need to trust that God will provide and that He provides in ways that are healthy for the soul as well as the body and I need to work hard in work that helps people and the community, so anyways no I dont' favor prostitution but I understand why people get into it and I'm not trying to force anybody out of it or to believe like I do but if anybody is interested, the Bible verses show that God doesn't hate prostitutes and people that many think are horrible sinners. God sees everybody's heart and He loves every person and any person who wants to no matter what the past can accept Him and be accepted by Him, and He heals the hurts of the soul, that all I am meaning.

 

 

Peace and God bless.

[NoIDidn't]

There are a lot of prostitutes that get into it for all the wrong reasons. Who are messed up emotionally and who make the choice to be one on the basis of those need, be it a need for money, drugs, or whatever.

 

But there are also a lot of women who simply like the money, who don't see sex as particularly sacred, and who use prostitution as a means to an end.

 

Brings to mind the phrase "Use what you have, to get what you want." I don't agree with it, but it exists. Some go into the many different forms of prostitution because it is easy money. Who doesn't have the skills or abilities to become a sex worker?

 

I thought about it in college. I was young, fit, and very desirable to many men. Still am. I was asked repeatedly by those in the stripper business to work there. I could have made a lot of money. A LOT OF MONEY. Doing nothing else than being a scantily clad, seductive woman. But I chose not to. I already had enough emotional issues to work through, I didn't want to add that to the list. LOL.

 

With all that being said. If I had any judgment of prostitutes, it would be the ones who get into based on their own arrogance in thinking that they had something someone else wanted bad enough to pay for it and then complain about how they are perceived to be (or treated by their clients).

[Trialbyfire]

It's existed for almost as long as humanity has, and it's only relatively recently that it's gone from an acceptable occupation to an unforgivable one.

I disagree. It's never been a respected occupation in most, but not all cultures. How can you respect someone who either doesn't respect themselves and/or doesn't respect their Johns? The reverse of this is, how many Johns respect the prostitutes that they use. Best case scenario is that the John is grateful for a chance to get his rocks off.

 

I do think it should be regulated, and that health checks should be done, but ban it completely?

As for regulating it with health checks, I fully agree. Morally, I think it should be banned but realistically speaking, it will always be present. Supply and demand.

 

If it's properly regulated and legalized, some of the draw will be removed. The draw can consist of the thrill of the illicit nature of the act and from the prostitute's perspective, not having to pay taxes for income...earned, and charging ridiculous fees because it's illegal.

[disgracian]

It's never been a respected occupation in most, but not all cultures. How can you respect someone who either doesn't respect themselves and/or doesn't respect their Johns?

Great argument. It's disrespectable because it's disrespectable. Gotcha!

The reverse of this is, how many Johns respect the prostitutes that they use. Best case scenario is that the John is grateful for a chance to get his rocks off.

Heard of cortesians? Look them up. To suggest any mutual disrespect is to be historically ignorant.

 

Cheers,

D.

[Trialbyfire]

Great argument. It's disrespectable because it's disrespectable. Gotcha!

You could bring up courtesans and geishas but of the dated prostitution industry, this is only a small component of the much larger disrespected group. There was a reason prostitutes lived on the edge of town in a hut, back in the dirt grubbing age.

 

Heard of cortesians? Look them up. To suggest any mutual disrespect is to be historically ignorant.

 

Cheers,

D.

Now you've flipped my discussion of current prostitution to a discussion of the past and a very small component of history. Try again.

[disgracian]

You said it's never been a respectable occupation, which is clearly wrong so I corrected you. There exist today high class escorts and call girls that are very respectable. If you insist on disagreeing, then you are allowing your prejudices to cloud your judgement.

 

Also, for your information, geishas did not engage in sexual acts; they were entertainers only.

 

Cheers,

D.

[Trialbyfire]

You said it's never been a respectable occupation, which is clearly wrong so I corrected you. There exist today high class escorts and call girls that are very respectable. If you insist on disagreeing, then you are allowing your prejudices to cloud your judgement.

 

Also, for your information, geishas did not engage in sexual acts; they were entertainers only.

 

Cheers,

D.

Respected or what you consider respectable. Clarify. I sincerely doubt these high class escorts or call girls are universally respected...

[disgracian]

Stop shifting the goalposts. Nobody is universally respected. I am using your criteria: respectful of and respected by their clients.

 

Cheers,

D.

[Trialbyfire]

Oh come now. Stop taking my comments out of context. It was all in one bundle.

 

Cheers,

Tbf

[disgracian]

If you want to start taking this discussion seriously, you might want to attempt to substantiate your claim that prostitutes somehow inherently have no respect for themselves or their clients. Of course you can't, it's just bald-faced bigotry and prejudice. I'm willing to watch you try though.

 

Cheers,

D.

[Curmudgeon]

There exist today high class escorts and call girls that are very respectable.

 

...your definitions of "high class" and "respectable."

 

I rather imagine they would most closely equate to my definitions of "low-life" and "disreputable."

[lonelybird]

what they choose to do, it's their responsibility; and how you treat them is yours; treat people with different manner just not a good direction go for if you treat others with disrepect no matter who they are, that just speak your charactor, not theirs

[Trialbyfire]

If you want to start taking this discussion seriously, you might want to attempt to substantiate your claim that prostitutes somehow inherently have no respect for themselves or their clients. Of course you can't, it's just bald-faced bigotry and prejudice. I'm willing to watch you try though.

 

Cheers,

D.

Let's turn this around. Prove to me that prostitutes respect their Johns and Johns respect prostitutes, using current day examples of generalized behaviour. I don't want to see any anecdoetal examples because there will always be exceptions.

 

Let's increase the stakes. Show me generalized behaviour that the average pimp respects his whores.