Christian and Libertarian challenges #1: Prostitution

“[Libertarians] have no issue with prostitution, including child prostitution(as long as its mutual). Abortion on demand, no limitations of course. They would want a Mercenary Military vs a Standing Military. Also no military bases anywhere across the globe. Supporting their “live and let live” philosophy so that our enemy’s would never want to attack us, because we no longer are an imposing threat to them. Of course having “recreational drugs” be legal is a great selling point I’m sure for some folks. And our roads would be private toll roads as government would not build roads across private lands, so that nice interstate system we have today,” wouldn’t have existed under Libertarian rule.”

My last post got some attention from my friends. One friend challenged me to get into areas Libertarian ideas and Christian ethics might seem to conflict, and explain how I resolve them. Another made the claim above, which I think will be a good starting place to explore. There's a lot of ground here to cover, this is going to take several posts. Let's get to it.

Prostitution

I am not a fan of prostitution. I believe that in marriage, I have pledged my entire sexual being to my wife. Sex involves mind, body, spirit, and relationships. Sexual choices can have a powerful impact on the person, and bad choices can lead to great personal damage. But on the other hand, the Libertarian platform calls for the legalization of sex trade. How do I reconcile these things?

First, before you go in on “but think about the children”: Children, by definition, cannot consent. Child prostitution isn't just prostitution, it's rape, even if the child doesn't object. There's no question about this. No Libertarian principle supports exploitation, especially of children. Get that thought out of your head.

Next, let me start with an economic fact: When there's demand for a good or service, and you make the trade of it illegal, you're going to create a black market. It happened with prohibition, it happens with guns, it happens again and again. Sex is no different. Making the sale of sex illegal is not going to stop people from selling sex. All it does is drive the business into the shadows. You make bad people stronger. Sex slavery becomes more profitable, diseases thrive as people fear to seek treatment. Violence and abuse goes unchecked, as the people involved are afraid to seek help.

Does that mean there's no way to fight sex slavery? Heavens no! Slavery is illegal, and it is an abomination. Go after the pimps, the slavemasters, the human traffickers, the abusers. Go after the predators. You'll find Libertarians on your side here: The sole legitimate use of political force is to support freedom. Set people free.

But if you're locking up women or the children on the streets, you may be locking up victims. Throwing them behind bars at the point of a gun for a life they didn't choose. Is that your idea of compassion? Is that your Christian love? Is that your solution? I think we could and should do better.

But what of people who do choose to sell their bodies, who aren't being forced into it? Again, as a Christian I consider it a sin, but you're not going to convince them of that by locking them up. First, tell them that Jesus loves them and there's a better way than the one they have chosen. Show them that the love of Christ is real, by letting it show in your actions and how you treat them. Then, if and when they choose to believe, help them along as a fellow believer. If they won't walk with Christ, at some point you may have to just leave them be. Read 1 Corinthians 5. St. Paul makes it clear that the judgement of the church is for the people of the church. If others choose an activity that I consider to be sin, that is between them and God.

In short, as a Libertarian, my answer to the problem of prostitution is to be a better Christian. I challenge my fellow Christians to do the same, whatever their political persuasion.

Coming up next: Abortion. Oh boy.