Christianity and Prostitution in the Middle Ages
21st century Americans live with the hopes of being a tolerant society. Modern American culture attempts to teach diversity and acceptance. However there is uncertainty about subjects associated with immoral behavior and sexuality. Many people are uncomfortable with the idea of prostitution as a legal institution. Hence, it remains illegal throughout the United States in all but a few counties in one state, Nevada. People have questioned the moral and legal issues of this career choice throughout much of written history, especially since the beginnings of Judeo-Christianity.
Many modern views stem from the development of Christianity and its articulation in the Middle Ages. Throughout the Middle Ages, Christians, priests, scholars, and civil governments were all trying to understand where and even if prostitution fit into society. Prostitution during the Middle Ages was seen by the church as immoral, but was tolerated “…to protect respectable townswomen from seduction and even rape.” [1] It was a legal institution in most of Europe during the Middle Ages and was in obvious demand. Most attempts to abolish prostitution failed. Prostitutes were protected by laws and were safer in brothels than on the streets. They were protected in brothels, but were also regulated.
Compared to modern views on prostitution people during the Middle Ages had a more rational outlook. By this I mean that the medieval period was more consistent when it came to a belief system that corresponded to actual practice. It is very clear that prostitution was viewed as immoral and wrong but also necessary. It was because of this understanding of human nature that logic rather than morals...
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[24] Survey and comment board, http://boards2.ivillage.com/message/get/rlsexualrevolution1.html.
[25] Tone, Andrea, ed., Controlling Reproduction: An American History, United States: Scholarly Resources Inc., 1997. p. 185.
[26] Ibid. p. 191.
[27] Ibid.
[28] Nevada State Law, NRS 201.295 Definitions. http://www.leg.state.nv.us/.
[29] Meier and Geis. Victimless Crime: Prostitution, Drugs, Homosexuality, Abortion. p. 21.
[30] Ibid. p. 28.
[31] Ibid. pp. 29-30.
[32] Ibid. p. 31.
[33] Sarah McNaught. “Legalize Prostitution,” The Boston Phoenix. Oct.23-30, 1997. http://www.bostonpheonix.com/archive/features/97/10/23.
[34] Prostitution in the US—The Statistics, http://www.bayswan.org/stats/html.
[35] Ibid.
[36] McNaught. “Legalize Prostitution”.
[37] Ibid.
[38] Ibid.
[39] www.sexuality.org/1/workers/nevada.html.
[40] Ibid.
principles, from religious dedication to personal liberty. Some fought against prostitution as a moral or social injustice while others charged prostitution as an injustice against women. Beginning in the colonies and continuing even up to present day America, this research will present the philosophies and management behind
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Should prostitution be legal in the United States? Nevada is currently the only state in the nation to legalize prostitution. They exercise this right in the form of regulated brothels. The power to legalize prostitution is a state power; however, most states have chosen not to legalize this service. Some view prostitution as a business, selling goods and services to make a profit, but others view it as morally wrong. Most people think selling one’s body for money should not be promoted, but others simply see prostitution as business.
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Mahatma Gandhi, a nationalist and spiritual leader was perceptive and objectively so, perhaps most eminently when he instructed his zealots, “First they ignore you. Then they laugh at you. Then they fight you. Then you win” (Mahatma). Gandhi has a remarkable sagacity at a young age and strengthened it throughout the succession of his life. Although the aforementioned quote merely previews the extent of his intellect, it effectively summarizes his political approach. After becoming a member of the Indian National Congress Gandhi had the potential to become a most influential leader for the Indian people, and he did. Gandhi committed his political title towards fighting against the unlawful oppression of British rule. His method of fighting, however, was a politically innovative, mental type of fight. As a firm believer in the value of Pacifism, Gandhi developed the theory of non-violent civil protest and vowed to prevent his followers from succumbing to the allure of bloodshed. The irenic nature of Gandhi’s leadership won him the admiration of many Indian people, and is now considered to have political genius prestigious enough to be studied today (Mahatma 2). In some instances, studying Gandhi’s political strategy demonstrates the benefits of an actively participating governed majority. In today’s society, many people tend to make uneducated political decisions and sometimes even refrain from making one completely. In a variety of circumstances, related to any category of politics, from the election of a new president to the enactment of new laws, a group of Americans remain unrepresented because of their refusal to exercise their right to vote. A topic such as gun control would be a fitting example of a subject that while put ...
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...o a science fiction character. People like Dr. Bell and Preston were each part of an important part of Doyles like, and know because of them we have the series of Sherlock Holmes and his unconditional friend Watson.
According to ProCon.org, prostitution was a profession that dated back to 2400 B.C. Though many things since then have changed, the practice of selling sex has been more or less the same. What has changed is the way that people now view the practice. Throughout the years the debate has been whether prostitution should become legal or illegal. Organizations like Amnesty International want to push forward the idea of legalizing consensual “sex work” between two adults who are willingly participating because it would help keep those in that line of work safer than they are now. While on the other side of the issue there are