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From: davel@zinfandel.UUCP (David Longerbeam)
Newsgroups: net.singles
Subject: Re: Re: Sex by numbers (really, prostitution)
Message-ID: <381@zinfandel.UUCP>
Date: Tue, 23-Apr-85 16:45:25 EST
Article-I.D.: zinfande.381
Posted: Tue Apr 23 16:45:25 1985
Date-Received: Sat, 27-Apr-85 04:44:49 EST
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Organization: Zehntel Inc., Walnut Creek CA
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> 	Sorry, I can't resist.  I'm against prostitution because it:
> 
> 	1)  is illegal
> 		Laws are set down for the good of the society, yes?
> 		And, although we have overturned laws (e.g. slavery)
> 		when our society has "seen the light", prostitution
> 		remains illegal.... hmmmmmm
> 	2)  is morally wrong
> 		It's immoral because it is psychologically degrading and
> 		against biblical (gasp!) teachings.  Is there a religion
> 		that supports prostituion?
> 
> 	One note on the "psychologically degrading" comment.  Some claim
> that some people can function normally and lead happy and healthy lives
> in situations where others fail.  Sorry, humans is humans, I respectfully
> disagree with any form of the above claim.
> 
> 
> 				Gypsy  ihnp4!ihuxe!hoff


To your question "is there a religion that supports prostitution?",
the answer is, well yes, sort of.

Buddhist monks in the orient regularly visit houses of prostitution
where the monks and the women chant together and enjoy a small meal
afterwards.  The "house mother" then makes some sort of donation to 
the monastery.  

I also know of one Zen Master who suggested to a young man who complained
of overly strong sexual frustration, that he visit a prostitute.

Buddhism, while claiming that all human suffering is caused by attachment,
(including sexual attachment), still recognizes that there's no 
point in denying the degree to which one is still attached to these 
things -- hence, in my opinion, there's less emphasis on "morality"
for its OWN sake, and more emphasis on dealing correctly with every
individual's situation in the most compassionate manner.  This obviously
doesn't mean that prostitution should be condoned, but that it's
not necessary to judge another's particular hang-ups or attachments.

In the practice of monks visiting houses of prostitution, I believe
the reasoning is that the (mostly young) monks benefit from feeling
compassion for those living in the often "seedier" side of life, while
the young women can take a brief respite from what must often be
a hard life and enjoy a bit of peace through their cultural practice
of devotional chanting and giving of alms.  Hence, both parties benefit.

How can we have compassion for others if we cannot recognize the hooker,
the pimp, or the john in ourselves?
David Longerbeam

-- 
David Longerbeam @ Zehntel Automation Systems, Inc.
(ucbvax!zehntel!davel)