Georgia’s Christian right comes out against bills aimed at child prostitution
The season’s most disputed issue may have just surfaced at the state Capitol.
The weight of the state’s Christian right movement just came down in opposition to a pair of bills that would steer young girls under the age of 16 into diversionary programs instead of arresting them on charges of prostitution.
The press conference came just hours after several hundred people turned out to support the measures. (My AJC colleague Ernie Suggs has more details here.)
Representatives from the Georgia Christian Alliance, the Georgia Christian Coalition, Ralph Reed’s Faith and Freedom Coalition, and the Georgia Baptist Convention all put in appearances. Republican candidate for governor John Oxendine appeared around the edges of the afternoon press conference, but did not speak.
At issue are two separate bills, one in the House and one in the Senate. Both are sponsored by Republicans.
“Who will benefit from the passage of H.B. 582 or S.B. 304? I’ll tell you who – the very profitable and growing pedophile industry,” said former state senator Nancy Schaefer of north Georgia. “It is imperative that these bills be defeated.”
Some opponents said the bills amounted to decriminalization, which amounted to legalization. And would lead to more prostitution, not less, they said.
“Decriminalizing that means the police would have absolutely no interest in it at all,” said Sue Ella Deadwyler, who writes a Christian conservative newsletter. “They wouldn’t arrest the girls, they wouldn’t pick the girls up, they wouldn’t protect them from influence on the street from the pimps and the johns. It would be an absolute cultural upheaval in our state. Never in the United States, as far as I known, has juvenile prostitution been legalized.”
Renee Unterman of Buford, author of the Senate bill, confirmed that she had been in contact with opponents of her legislation. She said a compromise was in the works.
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106 comments Add your comment
DannyX
February 1st, 2010
9:55 pm
Dave Bless you, you have it all wrong.
“Tolerance” to us liberals is like this…”Love the person, hate the message.”
Now, I don’t know any of you Radical Christian Republican activists personally. I can’t really recall ever meeting one of you either. BUT, I’m sure I may have met one some time or another without knowing it, and I probably wasn’t repulsed. So I’m sure I’m probably fine with you all.
With us liberals, “Love the person, hate the message” is our nonsecular/nonchristian version of “Love the sinner, hate the sin.”
WE LOVE YOU. We just hate the crazy.
Boots
February 1st, 2010
10:00 pm
Wouldn’t it be wonderful if Christians started acting like Christians instead of judgemental Pharisees?
For the life of me, I can’t understand what good putting these kids under sixteen in jail will do. I’m sure the diversionary program will include some help for these kids who need therapy, not jail. Love and concern, not judgement.
What a bunch of self-righteous hypocrites. Have you not heard of Mary Magdalene and of Jesus’ great love for her?
dmac
February 1st, 2010
10:02 pm
If the bill had included a section that allowed under-age prostitutes to carry guns, then the Christian nuts would have been in favor of it.
A glock in one hand and the Holy Bible in the other, just as God intended.
TnGelding
February 1st, 2010
10:07 pm
Good grief! Are they insane?
Boots
February 1st, 2010
10:10 pm
And, they wonder why the Southern Baptist Convention and other main stream religious groups are losing membership. They demonstrate no compassion or understanding, choosing rather to judge and condemn.
These Christians just don’t get it!
DannyX
February 1st, 2010
10:18 pm
Ralph Reed needs to pull one of them O’Keefe style investigative reports. He needs to infiltrate the office of that OTHER Senator from Louisiana, Republican Vitter.
Ralph should put a hidden camera in a box a Pampers and plant them in the Republican Senators office.
Rumor has it that Sen Vitter is sitting behind his desk answering his phone IN DIAPERS. We need video evidence of this. Ralph, dress up as Diaper Boy, deliver those video diapers. Do it for all the moral Republicans.
Do it in the memory of those great Republican journalists, Gannon/Guckert and Phone man O’keefe.
Blasphemy Jones
February 1st, 2010
10:29 pm
Spare the rod, spoil the child…
DannyX
February 1st, 2010
10:37 pm
Dear Ralph Reed, I recently received my new “Hot Republican Congressmen” calender.
The month of July, (our nations birth month) features that disgusting fully nude Republican from Yankee Massachusetts all sprawled out with a special twinkle in his eye. As a Republican male that really doesn’t care about these types of things, should I make some statement for God? Should I put a big red X through the all the Sunday’s? Would that be enough for me to still be able to keep the calender? Not that I care.
Tanner
February 1st, 2010
10:48 pm
Once again Christian Rights groups get it wrong. While missing the point that this bill will help children who are being exploited, they also get to grab some salacious headlines. I work in the social work field and cannot count the number of cases of children molested by preachers and right wingers who home school their children. If the Christian Right wants is so worried about pedophiles they need look no further than among their own ranks
rukidding
February 1st, 2010
10:48 pm
Ox is trying to figure out who to pander to on this issue
Christian Conservatives come out against helping child prostitutes – Lock ‘em up | Kinky Moments
February 1st, 2010
10:51 pm
[...] the very profitable and growing pedophile industry,” said former state Sen. Nancy Shafer in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “It is imperative that these bills be [...]
MG
February 2nd, 2010
1:46 am
It comes as no surprise to me that Liberals are in favor of criminals.
I wish you left-wingers would tell me why you want people (normally called ‘pimps’) to NOT to be prosecuted. This bill would protect the real criminals.
I bet it’s the same reason you are against the death penalty for the murderers but not against it for the victims.
JohnAtl
February 2nd, 2010
2:00 am
More smarmy minions of Oxendine, doing his bidding.
I feel dirty just reading about these idiots that are destroying our State.
How to Distort the News: Jailbait Hooker Victimhood Edition : The Other McCain
February 2nd, 2010
5:28 am
[...] opponents, and those opponents were demonized by Jim Galloway of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution:Georgia’s Christian right comes out against bills aimed at child prostitutionThat headline spurred the kind of blog reaction you’d expect — from Little Green [...]
Richard Bagge
February 2nd, 2010
6:07 am
You know, Christians, if you don’t like the stereotype, then maybe it’s incumbent on you to change it.
You know, MG, it helps if you read a message board thread. I don’t see a post on here suggesting that pimps not be prosecuted, I see quite the opposite. You’re not going to put a stop to prostitution by punishing the girls – after their short jail time, their pimp will just sell them to an associate in another city, putting them out of Georgia’s eyes. Girls don’t understand that prostitution is slavery – willingly entering into slavery, and best of luck getting out.
But if you put a penalty of 50 to life for trafficking in the slave trade, and fund the recovery program by selling off all the pimp’s ill-gotten possessions, you might see changes,
Rightwing Troll
February 2nd, 2010
6:59 am
What a bunch of nut sacks…
I guess this begs the question: what would Jesus do to the underage prostitutes???
MG you dim bulb
February 2nd, 2010
7:36 am
From the proposed bill, verbatim:
“SECTION 3. Said chapter is further amended by adding a new Code section to read as follows:
16-6-26. The inability to prosecute any person involved in an alleged act of prostitution shall not bar prosecution of any other party charged with a violation of this chapter nor serve as a defense to such crime.”
And why am I not surprised a wingnut was here at 2 am? They seem to be on the internet a lot after hours.
Dave
February 2nd, 2010
7:40 am
See, DannyX, you just “outed” yourself with your “radical Christian Republican activist” remark. I’m neither radical, nor an activist. i just have a sense of a moral compass that liberals seem to lack. You don’t “love the sinner and hate the sin;” you ‘love the sinner and celebrate the sin.” In case you missed it, I wonder why these people are against this bill as well. Take these kids out of the situation, and teach them that they can do better. THAT’S what Jesus would do.
s
February 2nd, 2010
8:01 am
Christian (NOT) coalition!
Aquagirl
February 2nd, 2010
8:01 am
Well, Dave, if you’d go talk to your idiot Xtian buddies instead of hanging around here being “befuddled” as to their actions, maybe you’d show off that moral compass.
pete12
February 2nd, 2010
8:13 am
Just a way to jail more young people.Mrs Shafer shut up and sit down.You would say put Jesus in his grave if he came in to your church and said give all your money to the poor.
RGB
February 2nd, 2010
8:47 am
In disagreeing with other people’s opinions, you folks routinely malign Christianity.
In addition to Christianity, what other religions do you people hate?
Which religions, if any, do you subscribe to?
Georgia Whig Party member
February 2nd, 2010
8:48 am
I think there is a story in the bible about what jesus would do with a young prostitute. i think the line is “you who are without sin can cast the first stone.” That to me would be in favor of rehabilitation over punishment to me. Christianity becomes a lot clearer when you actually read your bible rather than follow blindly christianity “political leaders” into the watershed… Which is exactly why seperation of church and state is essential, its not for ths sake of the state, its for the sake of the church.
“You know, Christians, if you don’t like the stereotype, then maybe it’s incumbent on you to change it.”
-Richard some of us are trying.
Georgia Whig Party member
February 2nd, 2010
8:49 am
ps, “KLW” comment which is third from the top is critical to his debate. Everyone should read it. Its near the top and easy to find. This bill is very specific and aimed at a certain type of prostitution.
DannyX
February 2nd, 2010
8:54 am
RGB, quit it. Enough with the whinny pc bull.
RGB
February 2nd, 2010
8:57 am
I’ll accept your answer as “none.”
Mr. Grumpy
February 2nd, 2010
9:45 am
Y’all are wasting your breath. So am I. These so-called Christians are more concerned about punishmnet than diverting these girls from a horrible crime. Yeah, let’s punish the children instead of focusing our attention where it needs to be: on the johns and pimps. The criminal justice system is NOT failing to respond to this issue. It’s simply saying we need to get these little girls out of the social setting which will continue perpetuate this crime, because we can see from our experience that merely arresting them doesn’t seem to stop it. If these so-called Christians were so loving, they would be standing in line to help pass this bill and to open up their churches as places where these girls could be kept safe. But I guess they’d rather open their churches up to every right-wing nut job that can point a finger at others and brand them “sinners.” I think the Jesus they worship is not the same one I was raised to worship. The one I worship spent his time ministering to the sinners. He offered forgivness and love, not condemnation or prison.
Sen Untermann should hold her ground and not collapse under the highly un-Christian pressure she’ll feel if she refuses to compromise on her bill wit these nut-jobs. These people need to get back to church and learn what Christianity is supposed to be about, not what they’ve turned it into.
Georgia Whig Party member
February 2nd, 2010
9:50 am
Mr. Grumpy, don’t agree with the tone, but totally agree with the content. I am glad to have a few christians commenting that have actually read their bible.
Glass House Rocker
February 2nd, 2010
10:10 am
The Old Testament calls for death many times for reasons which are trivial by today’s standards. However, adultery was definitely a fatal offense and is mentioned in the Ten Commandments. We only kinda frown on it today and anyone can be forgiven that sin. The Old Testament even calls for genocide to keep the faith pure.
Has anyone ever noticed that the strong, conservative “Christian” seems to always (selectively?) base his or her beliefs on the Old Testament? They seem to totally ignore the “Good News” of Jesus but they still call themselves “Christians”.
Jesus’s message of tolerance, loving one’s neighbor as oneself, helping the least of these–even wounded strangers (see the good Samaritan), and on and on–must be too ” forgivey”. I know it is certainly easier just to condemn and throw rocks.
I do recall that Jesus did get upset that money changers desecrated his His Father’s House because they had made it a “den of thieves”. He drove them out of the Temple with some enthusiasm.
Many years ago I had a small cleaning business and saw Atlanta’s streets at night. They were dangerous then.
I can only imagine what these young people, both girls and boys, who have become “prostitutes”–by force or willingly–must go through every day. Some have to be “runaways” whose parents wonder where they are.
Certainly, these unfortunate people seem to qualify as the “least of these” and we, as a society supposedly founded on “Christian” values–many other societies also hold strong moral beliefs– should make every effort to rescue them and hold their abusers criminally responsible.
They might be considered prostitutes by some–but since they are children isn’t it still rape and aren’t their abusers pedophiles and subject to being listed as sex offenders upon arrest and conviction?
Clay
February 2nd, 2010
10:50 am
What everyone needs to remember is that most of these “Christian Groups” that are opposing the bill, do not hold the same values as moderate Christians. They are fundamentalist with an agenda and are hellbent on making this country a theocracy.
Georgia Whig Party member
February 2nd, 2010
11:06 am
I am loving the direction of these posts, finally the “new Testiment” christians (as I think Glass House would put it) are showing up and voicing the other side of christianity. Love it love it love it. Couldn’t agree with Clay more…
Heather Shipley
February 2nd, 2010
1:15 pm
Note that minors do not have the power of consent. How then can they be prostitutes? They are victims of rape. Please prosecute the rapists — pimps and johns — and care for their victims. Don’t pretend children are morally or legally culpable for that which they can not agree to do.
Continuum
February 2nd, 2010
1:47 pm
If The Christ ever looked at the efforts of the Christian Rightwing and their unholy alliance with the Republican party, He would indeed weep.
These born again fascists are more interested in persecuting the victims rather than healing the wounds. The Christian Right is not just a blemish upon the Body of the Christ, but a festering sore.
These Christian fascists need to examine their own consciences before they inflict their warped sense of sin and salvation upon the rest of us.
The Pedophile Industry In Georgia « Chamblee54
February 2nd, 2010
2:02 pm
[...] of such a program, ran by the state of Georgia, might be rather frightening. But that is not the objection the oxymoronic “Christian Right” is making to these bills. Some say the bills would amount to legalization of child prostitution. [...]
Donald Duck In Person « Chamblee54
February 2nd, 2010
2:59 pm
[...] of such a program, ran by the state of Georgia, might be rather frightening. But that is not the objection the oxymoronic “Christian Right” is making to these bills. Some say the bills would amount to legalization of child prostitution. [...]
Pagan
February 2nd, 2010
4:19 pm
These fundie idiots amaze me! You would throw a CHILD in jail for being FORCED into prostitution???? There is no hell hot enough for you people! How about throwing the pimps and johns in jail now there is a novel idea!
MBeast
February 3rd, 2010
11:03 am
Liberals do their argument and their cause a great disservice when they talk about “Christians” as ignorant, mean-spirited, and evil. They’re not, folks – pay attention. Pay attention to the poster who pointed out that the largest religious group there was advocating in SUPPORT of the bill. Pay attention to all the good, generous, charitable, and, well, CHRISTIAN work being done out there. Christianity is a good thing, and so are the majority of Christians.
There is a small, loud, and well-funded subset of “Christianity” in America that truly does deserve to be called ignorant and evil, and they are to be opposed wherever they show themselves. But they are NOT the majority of devout Christians in this country, much as they’d like you to believe that, and they are not “more Christian” than anyone else. Quite the opposite – the “Christianity” of someone who wants abused children thrown in prison has as much to do with real Christianity as the “Islam” of a suicide bomber has to do with real Islam. Both are perverting the word of their religion to justify their own hatreds, fears, and prejudices – neither is truly practicing their faith.
Liberals out there – PLEASE stop slinging around the word “Christian” like it’s a curse, and PLEASE stop making casual blanket statements about how evil or destructive Christianity or religious belief in general is. It truly is an ignorant and bigoted thing to say, and it’s immeasurably harmful to the goal of finding common ground with others and working cooperatively towards shared goals.
Jack
February 3rd, 2010
10:42 pm
I’t not about harm reduction, it’s about PUNISHMENT for YOUR SINS!
More Facts About the U.S. Prison System « God and Whose Army? The Blog
February 4th, 2010
1:50 pm
[...] religiosity. Examples abound: I cite several in God and Whose Army?, and more recently, the Christian right in Georgia has found itself on the side of excessively punitive measures: The weight of the state’s [...]
KJ
February 4th, 2010
2:02 pm
The “Christian Right” are complete and total imbeciles. As usual. No surprises here!
JEWEL AND TED
February 4th, 2010
2:05 pm
LOL–the idiot on here talking about the need to punish people for their sins. First of all, moron, these are children who are being molested. Children are unable to “consent.” That’s a statute. Like everyone in the Christian Wrong, you’re an idiot. Second of all, THE UNITED STATES IS NOT A THEOCRACY. IF YOU WANT TO LIVE IN ONE, YOU UNAMERICAN IDIOT, MOVE TO SAUDI ARABIA WHERE YOU CAN BE WITH PEOPLE JUST LIKE YOURSELF.
fultonrighty
February 4th, 2010
6:22 pm
The might be a reason this bill has never been passed by another legislature in the US. The intentions are good, but the unintended consequences really need to be looked at. Read the bill and tell me where you see ANY provision for diversionary treatment. It needs major reworking and thankfully, it is happening. Both the 10 a.m and the 2 p.m. groups want the same thing–heavy duty prosecution of pimps and johns plus treatment and help for victims.
All this hatred, name-calling, sniping, and smearing in these comments is very disheartening. I am glad Sen. Unterman is above all that and willing to work on a compromise that truly will accomplish what all of us want.
Alyxandra J Shaw
February 5th, 2010
3:59 pm
Disgusting. Utterly disgusting. They are purposely denying children help. Sen. Unterman is not above all this; she just has no idea and doesn’t care. After all they’re not HER kids being beaten, fondled, raped, chained, forced to endure pregnancies and abortions all to satisfy some pervert.
Bill
February 8th, 2010
10:06 am
As a christian hating liberal I must say that no amount of prayer is going to clean up the mess they’re making. Jesus doesn’t work here any more.
ktb
February 8th, 2010
10:12 am
So GA has a “very profitable and growing pedophile industry” even with the laws as they are.
JT
February 11th, 2010
12:15 pm
I am a Christian leader in our city and my heart is breaking over this issue – on so many levels!
The lack of compassion for these children who are being exploited for the sexual pleasure and financial gain of their pimps and johns. The children are not CRIMINALS, they are VICTIMS and the laws need to be changed to PROTECT the children and MORE FULLY PROSECUTE the EXPLOITERS, ABUSERS, and TRAFFICKERS. Did you know that ” Georgia only imposes 5 through 10 years for soliciting or pimping on minor whereas federal law ensures Americans landing on foreign soil and hire an underage prostitute will spend 18 through 30 years in jail.”
Atlanta is known as the number 1 city for child exploitation and sex trafficking… we need reformation of laws, systems, and structures to change the culture and sexual climate of our city!
My fellow Christians, Let’s focus on putting the emphasis and energy where it needs to be — supporting the prosecution of the criminals and the protection of children; providing services for families that need help dealing with issues of raising children, helping to eradicate systemic poverty, supporting and improving our educational system, providing resources and services to help these children come out of the pain and brokenness of sexual exploitation (and the myriad of problems that often precede ending up on the street), strengthening family values and returning to a moral foundation as a city that honors righteousness. These things are responsibilities given to us by the God we serve, and should not be simply left to the state.
We must learn how to partner in effective means — for the sake of our state, our families, and most of all, our children.
Serginho
February 11th, 2010
2:34 pm
This story isn’t surprising. After all, stupid is, what the flat-Earth fundamentalist wackos say, and do.
The Christian Right’s Misguided Fight Against Child Prostitution « Terry Mosteller
February 14th, 2010
9:39 pm
[...] conservative Christian groups in the state are outraged. They say that this bill amounts to the legalization of child prostitution and that if the bill is [...]
Solving the Problem of Sex Trafficking in GA «
March 1st, 2010
12:49 am
[...] moral arguments have been heard; they’ve failed. The economic argument has been heard; it has failed. There [...]
Solving the Problem of Sex Trafficking in GA | Daniel Groce
March 1st, 2010
5:35 pm
[...] The moral arguments have been heard; they’ve failed. The economic argument has been heard; it has failed. There is absolutely no reason to let this legislation go by the wayside for another year. [...]