To both Alchemist and Mahatma Duck:

As a former TV journalist, reporter and newsreader, it was never a requirement, nor should it be, that I should state my worldview up front of any article I wrote and presented.

Both of you don't want to deal in a reasonable manner with the content of Mr. Shelton's article. So you resort to attacking the person by use of a genetic logical fallacy. Logical discussion (what is needed for a reasonable conversation on this forum) cannot be continued while you engage in such unreasonable tactics.

No matter what Mr. Shelton's worldview, he deserves to be assessed on the content of his article.

As for Alchemist's view, "Why should those that make comments on subjects have to divulge their viewpoints on other aspects of life. I know the religious normally do, because they lack substance in any other approach and must resort to futility in expression," this is an indicator of the narrowness of his breadth of reading and using a futile and inaccurage stereotype. It also has a lot to do with his inability to engage in a logical discussion of depth, based on the content of Mr. Shelton's article.

Sincerely,

Much has been made of the fact that Lyle Shelton is a minister of religion. So what? It is claimed that he is trying to impose his Christian views on the community. Again, so what? The same could be said of anyone who opens his mouth, takes up a pen or uses a computer to express his ideas. And that applies to alchemist, mahatma duck and the rest of those who are opposed to religion.

We re being bombarded with ideas via the media and internet [many of them
what I consider to be harmful to the community] but we are lucky enough to live in a country which enjoys freedom of speech, so we have to deal with this as best we can in a democratic manner. Which means that Lyle Shelton is entitled to write articles for OLO regardless of whether he is a minster or not, and we will discuss them on their merits.

Thanks for the welcome to OLO BOAZ_David. I am new here.

Sorry to keep you waiting on my reply The alchemist but today is my workday. You said I “can't see past your (sic) self righteous illusions” Actually I am not self righteous, my hope for righteousness is based fully in Christ ;)

I have been friends, for over twenty five years, with people with various severe disabilities and have worked in a supportive way for longer with many others, so am very aware of the challenges they face.

Surprisingly, you may find that I view sex as something wonderful and beautiful, good, enjoyable and certainly not demeaning or a “fault in humans”. I actually believe that it is a good gift of a loving God to us.

When sex is used in the context of prostitution, then it is demeaning, dehumanising and destructive. This will happen to all good things when they are removed from the proper context for which they were intended.

Perhaps The alchemist and mahatma duck need to understand better that soliciting from a prostitute is not on par with buying a loaf of bread – a simple contractual agreement and transaction set between two people.

Of course Christians are concerned about the spiritual and moral problems with prostitution, but I respect mahatma duck and the alchemist are not interested in those.
It is degrading and dehumanising at other levels as well because of the effect on both the parties involved;

1. The man has not respected and honoured the woman in this liason(see Pat H.) – will she ever be invited and introduced to family and friends functions or secretly hidden from the rest of his life. He has put the woman on the same level as a vending machine, that is dehumanising.

2. Of much greater concern is the effect on women. Prostitutes speak of the incredible physical pain their work brings, it does sound really demanding physically, actually akin to torture. This is why so many turn to drugs – to dull the pain as OzSpen correctly mentioned. It is not to be thought of as a fun thing for women who like sex as ignorant contributors have made out. Add to this the likelihood of contracting disease which increases pain and drug use. See what ruby shared. Another factor is that once a woman gets involved in prostitution it is difficult to get out. Like drinkers and gamblers many find themselves caught in its powerful grip and they cannot just walk away from it.
Add to this the danger in this life, how many prostitutes are the victims of violent crime or murder.
The relationship a women has to her clients is like a farmer has with his herd of animals – that is dehumanising. Again it is not a wholesome relationship, therefore it is degrading.

The fact that money changes hands cannot legitimise the sexual service provided. How facile to state that because the sex industry is paid well everything should be just monitored. To The alchemist, for the above reasons, sending a disabled person off to a prostitute is harmful, despite your or their desires and feelings. We as community fail women and men when we try to normalise and legalise the prostitution business.
I am not the deluded one.

Ozspen, I was referring to forums regarding authors revealing their world view. It is common in many publications and forums.

I haven't attacked Lyle personally. Cheddar, well he had to brow beat himself with, “I am a minister of religion”, wish is typically self righteous. But no answers, just self righteous indignation, very boring.

I agree with Pat H and put forward a suggestion of asset confiscation. But I understand the confusion in seeing something only from one viewpoint and missing fact.

Cheddar, not all sex workers are drug addicted, many are kind and believe they are providing a genuine service. What gives you the right to determine how a disabled person can express themselves if others are willing to help. Thinking for them, not self righteous.

“The relationship a women has to her clients is like a farmer has with his herd of animals – that is dehumanising. Again it is not a wholesome relationship, therefore it is degrading.” If this is so, where does that leave you, or don't you eat meat or use animal products. Not self righteous and hypocritical

“The fact that money changes hands cannot legitimise the sexual service provided. “ The fact that money changes hands, doesn't legitimise religion either, just enlightens us as to what it really is about.

Cheddar, I never use vending machines

Prostitution is stupid, along with gambling, smoking, the dehumanising use of animals and religion. They have all caused a great deal of harm to societies throughout history. If you are going to ban one, then ban them all. And lets not forget driving, 6 times more killed in vehicle accidents and tens of thousands injured, compared to illicite drugs and prostitution. Ban alcohol to, that works.

Morals are a sociological phenomena, different culture or religion, different morals. It is how we ethically approach things that count.

Legalisation hasn't worked, nor prohibition, it won't. Sensible control can, what other option is there. Don't give us the religious rubbish, you've had thousands of years to get it right, look at the world now.

Alchemist has no answere to human abuse he is an anachist as he leads the field in verbal abuse. He is constantly abusing religion as the problem to all the worlds ills. His pitiful life is based in negative abuse that was instilled into his mind by his father.

Quote alchemist, "Legalisation hasn't worked, nor prohibition, it won't. Sensible control can, what other option is there. Don't give us the religious rubbish, you've had thousands of years to get it right, look at the world now."

Paul a first century convert to Christ entered the pagan city of Ephesus where women working as religious prostitutes to Dianna the god of fertility was worshipped. They abandoned their former life to follow sexual purity, and sexually abused girls have been doing that voluntarily it ever since. They speak up now indicating their life has dramatically changed for the better. Faith is a voluntary life, and those who have chosen pure conscience from the filth of sexual service to male perversion can testify today. Linda and her house of hope has been a testimony to that release from sexual perversion. The fact that her life is constantly under threat from pimps indicates who is a abuser of women.