Man the barricades!

Will you join in our crusade?
Who will be strong and stand with me?
Somewhere beyond the barricade is there a world you long to see?

In the famous Victor Hugo story (and brilliant musical) Les Miserables there is a point in time when the barricades have to be manned and the “angry men” have to put up or shut up. Are they the people of substance that they have purported to be or will they shrink from the fray?

It looks like that time has come again for the Salvation Army when it comes to people trafficking. It’s no longer about wearing trendy t-shirts or making the right sounds and gestures, for there is an out and out war brewing.

Canadian Salvationists have been asking us all to support their upcoming prayer vigil against people trafficking into prostitution (on Sunday September 27^th). The pro-prostitution lobby is not happy saying that these types of campaigns are “dangerous”. They plan to protest against these praying Salvationists and warn street prostitutes about the “impending threat” of the planned street prayers.

Major Brian Venables says “This is a bold step for the Salvation Army, we’ve stepped out of the shadows and said this isn’t going to happen anymore, and we’re going to do what we can to stop it.”

Well Hallelujah and Amen to that Canada! We’ll be praying for you at other points around the world. It sounds like it’s going to be dangerous and people’s apple carts are going to be seriously turned over.

This is a huge contrast to an incident in Australia this year where TSA caved in when challenged in a similar way. (Having said that this one was not about prayer but mammon). Danielle Strickland previously wrote of how the launch of this year’s annual SA fundraising doorknock in Australia was hijacked by a sex workers lobby group because one of the promotional tools told the story of a young man who was saved from the degradation of selling his body to buy heroin.

The “Scarlet Alliance” demanded an apology from TSA stating that prostitutes were deeply offended to think that a charity was exploiting their “legitimate trade” for sympathetic publicity. The appeal organisers seemingly had a gun to their heads in the middle of a national media launch and had little choice but to pull the ad and offer a public apology.

I marketed politicians (such as our present Prime Minister and State Premier) and Hollywood stars,  so I understand the importance of depriving such outrageous rubbish any media oxygen, but the long term ramifications of this cave-in are frightening. Are we now doomed to the impotence of political correctness in our public dealings out of fear of a media backlash?

What’s next, disguising our work with alcoholic or gambler recovery so as not to upset the very powerful liquor or gaming lobbies? Or maybe we should avoid talking about Jesus just in case we offend our Buddhist or Muslim friends. It’s a slippery slope alright.

Am I suggesting that we don’t play the media game? No, not at all, but we have to rise above their sensationalist, hungry machine, be always one step ahead and not let them call the tune.  The Public and Governments are fickle and as the old saying goes “You can please some of the people all of the time, all of the people some of the time, but not all of the people all of the time.”

If we are really true to our purpose and mission and out there and proud the right publicity will follow (just as it has in the Canadian example). Purity of heart and true sincerity shine through the media like a beacon, mainly because it is diametrically opposed to the plethora of usually deceitful spin out there. The wise old founder said it …

 Don’t allow the world’s praise to attract, or its blame to affright you from the discharge of the duty you owe to God, to yourself, or the souls of those about you. God will take care of your reputation if you make His Glory and your own duty your sovereign aim.  (WILLIAM BOOTH)

Danielle Strickland -  ( http://therubicon.org/2009/05/justthinking-couldve-been-a-contender/)

The Vanouver Courier - ( http://www2.canada.com/vancouvercourier/news/opinion/story.html?id=4c4e7302-3d0c-44c9-ab3d-649a81d1f5b5&p=1 )

CALL FOR PRAYER: www.salvationist.ca/trafficking 

10 Comments to Man the barricades!

1. Hi Bruce,

   For me, I think there is a difference (all-be-it subtle but important difference) between the Scarlet Alliance incident, and people traficking that Canadians are praying against. I am all for the Canadian prayer vigil against people traficking, but at the same time, I agree with the Scarlet Alliance, and think TSA was right to retract the story, and Scarlet Alliance were right to ask for an apology.

   We need the wisdom to discern the subtle differences between different situations. The world is not black or white. There are shades of gray, there are situations which we may not agree with but we must be very careful how we tackle, otherwise we will make the situation far worse. In the Scarlet Alliance situation, it might have been better to run the original story as helping a young man leave a life he didn’t want to live. That is true of all of the work of TSA, whether it’s helping someone leave prostitution, or leave drugs and alcohol, or leave an abusive relationship, or find a better job that better suits them. At the same time, we need to realise that there are those who WANT to be prostitutes. This is hard to understand, but it is true, and if we want to call ourselves Christians, we have to do what God does, and respect people’s God given free will. We can show by example and life that there is a better way, but we must respect their free will, which means not attacking something like prostitution. Otherwise, we are going against God, putting ourselves above God, by denying someone free will, and saying God doesn’t know what He’s doing by allowing people to chose, so we’d better step in. That puts us in very dangerous territory spritually and with regard to our salvation. We may not agree with it, but we need to respect it and show by our example a different way.

   People trafficking is very different. It may end up in prostitution, but people have not chosen it. They are forced into it. That is different. Their free will is taken from them.

   You may argue differently to me, but I stand by what I have said. It is a subtle, but very important difference.

   Yours in Christ,
   Graeme.
Graeme Randall on September 15th, 2009

2. Hi Graeme

   It’s always stimulating to have a challenging comment from you. I am well aware of the fact that some people CHOOSE to be prostitutes (I teach at a leading Australian University and am personally aware of many of my students who work their way through College in the sex industry) but that doesn’t take anything away from the fact that prostitution is fundamentally evil.

   I know that absolutes are taboo for some people but in this case I can say I speak from firsthand experience of the devastation that this degradation has on workers and (some) clients alike. Anything we can do as TSA to support people caught up in this trade while they are working and when they leave is a good thing in my opinion.

   A dear SA officer friend of mine was instrumental in recently helping bring a career, heroin addicted (and dealing) prostitute to Christ while she was in jail. When she returned to the inner city as a radically changed woman who openly proclaimed Christ and her desire to turn her back on the “evil of her past” (her words even though she had “CHOSEN” to be involved initially) she was killed by a hotshot of heroin.

   These are the sort of people we are dealing with here Graeme. They trade in flesh and death. This is not “Pretty Woman”, it is ugly, undignified and sad. Look out … I’m going to use the “s” word. It’s a sin and we are right to hate it.

   The sinner on the other hand we love and embrace, in Jesus name.
Bruce Redman on September 16th, 2009

3. I think my views are already pretty clear - although I do think it needs to be said that there is a difference between how I view individual women who find themselves involved in prostitution and the prositution industry… when Gunilla Eckberg was doing research about the root issues surrounding prostitution she used this grid:
   1. who are they. despite the rhetoric around liberated and educated ‘free’ women choosing to sell their body - the reality of the demographics of prostitution are clear. The women in the ‘industry’ remain the poor, uneducated, minorities who lack other choices. We cannot forget that.
   2. what do they do? prostitution sounds fine - like they are all living in a playboy mansion somewhere treated to fancy meals and new outfits. The reality of their job description includes vaginal, anal and oral sex - gang sex, all this multiple times a day - rape is common (not abnormal) and beatings, including bondage… this is just the basics.
   3. what is the cost? to the women it is enormous… the stats on the future of women involved in prostitution is not good - death is a real possibility - mental illness, drug addiction, post traumatic stress etc… to society it is even worse - the normalization of selling women naturally leads to the sexualization of young girls in society. In Australia after 16 years of the legalisation of the sex industry 1 in 6 australian men purchase sex like it’s a new pair of jeans… it only increases demand - fueling trafficking and attitudes that marginalize all women.

   Anything that uses marginalised women (yes, there are always exceptions… but they remain the exception not the rule) to do things we would never condone (and would consider acts of violence if done to anyone other than a prostitute) at such great costs to their person and to our society is WRONG… simply put.

   I recently read of The Salvation Army’s campaign against prostitution in Japan in the early 1900’s - I can tell you this - we were not APOLOGISING to the sex workers collective - WHO by the way are mostly made up of women who have economic interests in the success of the industry… don’t be naive - the industry is ultimately evil and bent on disempowering women… let’s look deeper than the rhetoric of the world.

   And for the record - I have many friends who are ‘involved’ in prostitution - I love them dearly, and my beliefs are for them.. not against them.

   peace. and by peace I mean shalom - fullness for all people.
   D
Danielle Strickland on September 16th, 2009

4. Beautifully said Danielle. I’ve realised in my haste to respond to Graeme that I neglected to mention that the “working” students I was talking about in my comment inevitably fall into the cliches of drug addiction, mental illness, self harm and attempted suicide - some career choice. It’s sad to see and every so often they reach out and we (TSA) are able to help.

   BR
Bruce R on September 16th, 2009

5. Hi Guys,

   Before I went into TSA School For Officer Training, I worked at The Irwin Centre - working with street kids - many of whom were prostitutes. My last appointment was at William Booth House - Australia’s largest Drug & Alcohol rehab. I have seen first hand the destruction of prostitution. I agree that prostitution as a ‘career choice’ is destructive on so many levels. But we need to be careful how we tackle it.
   Confrontation against the industry generally (if not always) makes it far worse, and makes the lives of these people far worse. We need to work with organisations like Scarlet Alliance, seek legalisation of the industry, seek protections and regulations etc. to protect those who are not yet ready to leave the industry, and be there for those who do want to leave. Otherwise, we will force more deaths, more destruction etc. We need to be mindful of the consequences of our actions, no matter how well intentioned. We also need to work with society, educating people on other ways to live, other ways to enjoy the pleasures of sex. Encourage experimentation within safe, monogomous relationships for example. Teach people about different sexual techniques (Karma Sutra for example). We need to encourage all kinds of healthy relationships (including de-facto, and same-sex relationships) between people. Many people use prostitutes as a way of feeling love or physical affection - not knowing what true friendship and love is. Take the demand for prostitution away, you take away the industry.

   Danielle… I appreciate what you say, I just cringe at the way you say it. Don’t forget, I think you will find there are actually far more male prostitutes then there are female prostitutes. The problem is, male prostitution is not really recognised or regulated as much as female prostitution. As a result, there is a lot more destruction in the ranks of male prostitutes. There aren’t any stats on male prostitutes so it doesn’t get the attention it needs. I think the reason for this is the stats on prostitution are largely gathered by females. As such, women would have difficulty accepting that their gender more likely uses prostitutes more than men do. What about the damage caused to sexualising young boys? (far more frequent than sexualising young girls).

   You want to tackle prostitution? How about we start by addressing women’s attitudes towards sex and prostitution (being honest about it) - then we might get somewhere.

   The issue is large and complex. There are many levels of psychology involved. There is no simple answer. We need to gradually work with the situation and the industry, gently offering an alternative, rather than going in guns blazing, making everything far worse.

   Yours in Christ,
   Graeme.
Graeme Randall on September 16th, 2009

6. If there aren’t any stats on male prostitution how do you know there are more male prostitutes than female? The law of supply and demand would suggest otherwise I would think. And so would a cursory glance at the personal ads in my local paper.

   And I have no interest in being taught the karma sutra by fellow Christians!
Grant on September 19th, 2009

7. Hi Grant,

   You are right. There is no hard stats to confirm or deny how many of each gender are prostitutes. However, What I do know from my experience working with prostitutes and knowing quite a number of them personally, is because female prostitution is far more accepted, you do see a lot more advertising for them, and a lot less females ‘work underground’ so to speak than men do. Add to that the economics that female prostitutes charge WAAAAAY more than male prostitutes because there are comparatively so few of them. They know that ‘punters’ can’t really just go to the next one, so they pay what they are asked. Whereas with male prostitutes, they are treated as ‘a dime a dozen’, some of them charging as little as $10 an hour. Male prostitutes are also called different things. They are referred to as: Rent Boys, Escorts, and Gentlemen Companions, as well as not being referred to at all - just paid.

   Add to that the sociological reality that it is quite acceptable for men to go to a party or the pub and ‘pick-up’ and be referred to as a ’stud’, whereas if a women did that, they are referred to as a ’slut’. Even among men, there is a stigma of using a prostitute - it suggests that you are ‘less of man’ because you can’t ‘pick up’. Yet women are able to quietly use prostitutes without being labeled a ’slut’, keep her respectability as not being a ’slut’ because she hasn’t ‘picked-up’ at a party etc.

   As for the other, Grant, I was only suggesting the Karma Sutra as one alternative as a means of teaching people to enjoy the God-created, God-given gift of sensuality. If you know of others, by all means, practice it and teach it to others. To deny that which God created and gave to us and call it evil or unclean, is to call the God who created it evil and unclean. It sounds like we have become a little too prudish - trying to pursue a Victorian ‘purity’ that historically never existed except in fantasy. Let’s stop living in a fantasy world and start living in reality.

   Yours in Christ,
   Graeme.
Graeme Randall on September 20th, 2009

8. The General said this:

   “The profession of a prostitute is the only career in which the maximum income is paid to the newest apprentice. It is the one calling in which at the beginning the only exertion is that of self-indulgence; all the prizes are at the commencement. It is the ever-new embodiment of the old fable of the sale of the soul to the Devil. The tempter offers wealth, comfort, excitement, but in return the victim must sell her soul, nor does the other party forget to exact his due to the uttermost farthing.”
Bruce R on September 24th, 2009

9. Every so often I read comments and responses and I wonder “Are we all living and learning from the same Lord and the same Spirit and the same Bible?

   I do not want to get into a match for dominance on these issues but there are many sins that drag down a person. One area of sin that has more consequences is that of sexual sin. That is because as the Apostle Paul says that sexual sin is against the body.That usually involves more than one individual. Involved are morals , legality, sin against self, sin againt God, society and you could go on and on about damage in a psychological manner.

   For the most part Christians are an offense to the world and it’s ideals. Jesus was offensive to some and He was liberal! We do not offend on purpose but as we share the love of God and attempt to aid the downtrodden we will make certain “groups” or individuals upset. We may even lose some funding.

   Having said this we should be kind to those that are involved with the sex trade and attempt to educate and provide various caring ministries to all involved. Free will was pointed out. That does cause a dilemma. Free will has consequences.

   We can not just sit back and “let” the world die in sin. Jesus didn’t and neither should we. The Lord in these last days uses His children to be the salt of the earth in various ways. That may be through legislation , example . and various ministry. If there are organizations that promote and protect prostitution why not an organization that trys to protect people , even protect some from themselves. How far have we fallen and compromised to the detriment of people that we serve.

   I am a former officer living in the USA , so I am aware that the laws do vary from country to country on prostitution and viewpoints vary from different parts of the world. I still believe that the Bible can still guide us with these issues.

   Bob
Robert Deidrick on September 24th, 2009

10. I wasn’t being prudish or Victorian Graeme - wasn’t denying anything either. I just don’t want to be taught how to enjoy sex by my church.

    Lets not get side-tracked by the ‘joy of sex’ discussion. The point of Danielle’s article is that female prostitution is an awful ‘industry’ whose thousands of victims are in the main vulnerable women. Somebody needs to do something about it, and as an Army we might be just the right people.
Grant on September 24th, 2009

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