New Policy Targeting Sex Workers

"Sex workers in Arizona given choice of therapy in church or arrest"

http://rt.com/usa/sex-workers-arizona-church-arrest-698/

 

I don't really see a problem with it. They are given a choice and for some people- especially those in bad living situations-with violent, controlling pimps, etc., may find it to be a very good option. Certainly better than arrest/possible jail. And if you don't think that...or change your mind, then you can just go with the arrest.

 

Surely that has to be unconstitutional.

 

That is absolutely a violation of separation of church and state.

 

It does seem strange, and hard to believe it is legal... well, no, not really...there are all kinds of programs out there-drug court, veterans court, all kinds of things... so, who knows? Anyways, I can see why some people wouldn't wanna do this thing in AZ but I don't believe they are being forced.. I do know if I was someone who was involved with a violent pimp and wanting out but not having any way out...scared to leave, etc.--- then, yea, I may find the housing and job opportunities (not to mention in spite of arrest), to be a good thing..

 

What is up with Arizona these days? Last week they were trying to keep gays out of restaurants ran by Christians.

 

They should offer traditional therapy, not church therapy.

Better yet, they should just legalize and regulate prostitution.

 

I can see that...
but, yet... if it's just an option-a choice.... kinda like around here, you get one drug charge, you can chose the normal route- or drug court, where your record eventually can get expunged but you need to do weekly testing and run through all kinds of hoops. Some take it, some don't.
So, if it's just a program run in part by a church group that offers things like job training, help w housing, counseling...and whatever other life things people may need to leave that life...and just so happens to be a faith based program- well, if it's just one option--- is it unconstitutional, or not? I have no clue. It may be but it might not.

 

To the second part... good luck with that one.

I think they should just legalize and regulate everything that has no victim-not violent... but I'm not holding my breathe on any of that happening.

 

Just because it's a choice, doesn't make it a beneficial choice. So, a non Christian should have to deny their beliefs to avoid going to jail?


We're going to end up like North Korea if we keep slowly giving up our freedoms.

 

Southern stupidity seems to be shifting west. Lately, Arizona has been leaving Mississippi and Alabama in the dust. Does the heat and sun bake people's brains?

:cheers2:

 

I agree that church-based therapy is probably unconstitutional in this case.

I think the premise is good, but it should be secular therapy that is required, not church, or mosque, or whatever based faith therapy because they have a tendency to mix scriptural views or lessons into their treatments.

 

Being that there is no law that calls for the separation of church and state, I assume you mean the first ammendment. I don't see how this would would be a violation. Could you explain?

You don't have to convert in order to receive help from Christians. And to deny assistance because they are Christians is rather bigoted if you ask me.

What freedom is being taken away here? Looks to me like they're offering more freedoms in the form of choice. If you're too close minded to sit down with a Christian then that's fine. Go to jail.

I've volunteered my time for a Christian organization that builds homes for ladies who wish to leave prostitution, stripping, etc. but need help to get out of the lifestyle. They don't try to convert anyone....they just offer help. Of they ladies want info on Christianity then they'll get it. But otherwise it's just a support system to get their lives off of a destructive path. Believe it or not, some Christians actually are good people.

 

That being said. If a secular charity would provide an alternative therapy that would be ideal.

 

I think there should be options. If they would like a Christian program, then that would be awesome. I don't think it should be their only choice.

I agree some Christians are good people. My entire family besides my sister and I are diehard Christians.

 

Without knowing the details of the program it's hard to pass accurate judgment. The one I've been apart of made it abundantly clear that the goal was not to convert, but to lend a helping hand. It was started by a former prostitute and funded completely by volunteers. I may have been a bit on the offensive because I've seen how much good these types of organizations can do.

However the water gets murky because this one in AZ is funded by tax payers, and is tied into the courts. There is a lot more room for asshatery. However, if done right it can be the only way out for some women trapped in the sex industry. Since its funded by taxes I don't see why there couldn't be a non-christian ran alternative.

 

I agree with pretty much everything LLTH said in post #13 and #16.

Yes, I think there should be options via non-Christian organizations. But like I said before I still don't necessarily see how it is a bad thing to offer as an option. Some people may see it as arrest, jail and back to the same situation/life that they can't escape. Some people may not want to do it... if they are offended that it's a Christian organization, they don't have to do it. Just like how people don't have to go through drug court if they don't wanna be piss tested all the time. Sure, in a perfect world there would also be secular organizations offering similar programs, but still, it could be a start (who knows with AZ though... I know...) and very helpful to certain women.
(and yes, also in a perfect world both prostitution and all drugs would be legal/regulated but no sense wishing on stars and unicorns...)....
I stand by what I said though before that as a take it or leave it option...some people may benefit from it and that's a good thing. I also agree with LLTH that most Christian organizations around here that offer assistance for various things don't push Christianity down people's throats... that may or may not be the case in this situation but being that it's optional and I'm pretty damn sure they're doing it to try to help, I can't say too much.
But no, really can't see how an option is unconstitutional. Saying you HAVE to do that, okay, sure. But no one is saying that.

 

I don't think anyone would be forced to convert to Christianity. Or to deny their beliefs. I think that is going a bit overboard to what the idea is... I really don't think they would say "become a Christian or go to jail"...sure they might end up hearing a thing or two about God... but, back to the drug example...when you get drug charges, you are often forced to go to AA or NA meetings. You often hear about God a few times then. But no one is forcing you to believe those things. Shrugs.

 

I guess I'm just defensive about it because I was raised in an extremely strict and sheltered Christian home. I hate religion, and I think incorporating it into law is a violation of freedom.

I may seem extreme, but I know what's it's like to be forced into Christianity.

I know a handful of equally jaded people that would rather go to jail than go to church. (not that I'm one of them, just saying.)

 

I was raised being forced to go to church at least once a week until I moved out of the house the day I turned 18. So, I think I may know a bit about what you are talking about. I minded it at times but other times, well, I just hung out with a bunch of kids that went to my various churches and we did all kinds of crazy things (smoking weed in the bell tower of the church during services and church sleep overs...and let's not even get into the church sleepovers that almost turned into massive orgies. ha. no joke...neways yea I just made the best of it, but yea I do know what you mean.)
But yea, I just don't see how having the option of help and life assistance through a church based organization is the same as a strict, religious parent forcing a child to go to church. I could be wrong. Like me (and also llth said), I don't know the organization personally but I personally don't imagine it would force people into Christianity/church stuff... and who knows with AZ but just as a choice- as I mentioned there are a lot of choices around here anyways for when ppl get arrested for various diff things. And plenty of those choices involve some annoying things but they all have benefits... expungement sometimes, no jail, no or much less probation, etc etc... plus most of them have help w life skills type of things.

Anyways, when it comes down to it, based on the information I have right now, it just seems to be AN option. That if you're not interested, no big deal. If it's just for people interested in what it has to offer, then what's the harm done? Just my opinion.