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
HP
February 1st, 2010
3:09 pm
Do these Christian Right people have any critical thinking or reading comprehension skills at all? Have they spoken to a police officer and done their research about what happens when a child is picked up for solicitation?
This gives police officers more of a choice in a situation than simply arresting the child, which I am pretty sure they don’t want to do anyway. How many police officers pass by these situations because they know their only option is an arrest and not something that will truly help the victim?
T-Bone
February 1st, 2010
3:13 pm
My god, I had no idea that children under the age of 16 were actually being arrested and put in jail to begin with for this. If they aren’t old enough to consent to sex, how can they be old enough to violate the mens rea element of the criminal statute? I think the better policy is to track these kids down so the police can find the johns and put those folks in jail. This reform makes total sense to me.
KLW
February 1st, 2010
3:13 pm
The bill’s opponents seem to have not been following this issue over the past few years. Last year’s change through SB 69 ensures that police will not just walk on by children being exploited on the streets. Instead, they are now required to report them as abused children so that they may be provided appropriate services, instead of treated as criminals. And no one is legalizing prostitution. It will continue to be a serious felony for anyone to pimp or pander a child. The focus of prosecution will simply shift from the child victim to the adult exploiter.
Mike K.
February 1st, 2010
3:17 pm
“Do these Christian Right people have any critical thinking or reading comprehension skills at all?”
HP is that a rhetorical question? You’ve seen how they react to things like evolution and Sunday alcohol sales.
Cutty
February 1st, 2010
3:22 pm
More of the same. This will undoubtedly be defeated in an election year. Whatever happened to the separation of Church and State?
ryan v
February 1st, 2010
3:29 pm
Dear god, can we buy a right-wing interest group in Georgia with any common sense whatsoever? How is providing a treatment alternative to jail for underage prostitutes a bad thing???
And what cops do these people know? The cops I know would absolutely step up to help a child get off the streets. The bill isn’t saying prostitution isn’t illegal. It provides options beyond jail which isn’t the right environment for the child either.
Huffy
February 1st, 2010
3:43 pm
Christian Right Grandstanding! They’re grabbing for headlines and hoping no one reads the real bill. Their tactics are, in effect, evil, as ignorance and unintended consequences are evil. Don’t they realize what it’s like in jail, where the girls learn from older prostitutes? Can’t believe they haven’t made teen pregnancy illegal by now — oh, erase that, they may see this and float a bill…
Swede Atlanta
February 1st, 2010
3:48 pm
Do these opponents really think that the fact these kids are arrested is a deterrent to this kind of crime? It is the same mentality that thinks that the threat of the death penalty prevents people from commiting capital crimes.
These kids are out there because they are desperate. They are often homeless, abused or abandoned. They are often the victims of the sex trade. The current system isn’t serving them well.
We do need to go after those that use and abuse these kids. They need to be dealt with fairly but harshly by our legal system. But these kids are victims. They need help, not jail.
vuduchld
February 1st, 2010
3:58 pm
Why are people surprised about the christian right’s response because I’m surely not. You folks in the Jawja let the dogs out nw they’re coming back to bite you. These groups nevr have a=had any positive ideas or solutions about anything, just ignorance and a bunch of meandering rantings about God and country. When wil, you people wake up. You have nothing but a bunch of ignorant clowns running your state and now you wonder whay these sub-humans are protesting the bill?
The only way to get your state moving again is to throw out the trash. People, it is imperative that you thorw out this christian trash along the bumbling politicans that support them!!
Sam Smith
February 1st, 2010
4:08 pm
Another perfect example of how the Xtian “right” is completely wrong!
Jesus! Save me from your followers!
WAW
February 1st, 2010
4:49 pm
“Jesus loves the little children, all the children of the world” red and yellow, black and white, they are precious in His site; Jesus loves the little children of the world”
Well unless they are being exploited, used and abused. If “The Church” was doing something besides “buildings and budgets” and “property and pensions” these children would be rescued and cared for, not this “they WILL to do this sin”!
Was it Mark Twain that said, “The worst advertising for Jesus is Christians”?
Base
February 1st, 2010
4:51 pm
If Ralph Reeds involved,money must be involved!
WAW
February 1st, 2010
4:57 pm
AMEN! Base
And if a news camera is close by “freedom of the press” is these folks “right”. They can’t separate politics and purpose. Jesus called them Pharasee among other select descriptions.
bart
February 1st, 2010
4:58 pm
The Christian right are a bunch of intolerant, hateful bigots. Sadly, they have most of our politicians in their back pocket. Georgia will continue to be a backward state as long as we let these nutcases tell us what to do. They would love to establish a Christian Taliban in the state and country.
Georgia’s Religious Right Opposes Bill Aimed at Child Prostitution - Charles Johnson - The Lizard Annex - True/Slant
February 1st, 2010
5:09 pm
[...] as they’re still in the womb. But as soon as they’re born, they’re on their own: Georgia’s Christian right comes out against bill aimed at child prostitution. The weight of the state’s Christian right movement just came down in opposition to a pair of [...]
Grant Park
February 1st, 2010
5:21 pm
Are these the same people who said children will die if people get to vote on the issue of Sunday alcohol sales?
Jlynn
February 1st, 2010
5:29 pm
Oh, the irony of denying U.S. citizen children the same protection and benefits afforded to immigrant sex trafficking victims by President Bush under federal law… help the foreign victims but lock up American kids for falling prey to the commercial sex marketplace.
Tom
February 1st, 2010
5:30 pm
With apologies to Major Clipton……
“Madness! Madness!”
Alabama Communist
February 1st, 2010
5:33 pm
Finally! The Glenn Beck Religious Wingnuts have reveal themselves as a promoter of Child Slavely by the State. “Hey Danno! Booked that Pagan 8 year old for standing on a corner without a HO licence in the name of a Kickass Republican Jesus”….
Jefferson
February 1st, 2010
5:41 pm
What about their weed?
Bloodstar » Sometimes I think Ghandi was Right
February 1st, 2010
5:46 pm
[...] the Christians would come out against a bill to try to help children under 16 who are forced into being prostitutes. The weight of the [...]
PJ
February 1st, 2010
5:48 pm
I had to reread this a couple of times to make sure I was missing something. This is just another example of how our educational system is failing our community. Can’t these people understand that they are not legalizing it, they are encouraging treatment instead of punishment for these poor girls. These young girls are merely victims that need help. Decriminalization will lead to prostitution?!? Everyone please stay away from logical fallacies. Misjudged slippery slopes are not acceptable tools in a worthy argument.
Steve
February 1st, 2010
6:00 pm
Sam Smith – I believe the expression is, “The Christian Right is neither.” And yes, they have proven that once again with yet another slew of misguided, alarmist piffle. God help us!
OnceUponATime
February 1st, 2010
6:01 pm
The scary thing is that some people will actually vote for those politicians.
albert
February 1st, 2010
6:03 pm
I am a born again Christian. These people are not my Christian leaders. I am glad that Senator Schaefer is a FORMER SENATOR. Who ever beat her should receive a contribution from everyone reading here for taking her away from the Capitol.
For the record Nancy SCHAEFER is no relation to Senator David SHAFER.
The Christian Right
February 1st, 2010
6:13 pm
The Christian Right was at the Capitol at 10:00, not at 2:00. Those who showed up at 2:00 obviously do not understand the issue or what the bill does to protect children. The bill still allows law enforcement to take children into protective custody, just like they do in cases of child abuse (parens patrea)…which these cases are.
John
February 1st, 2010
6:31 pm
The bill will have unintended consequences. It will prevent the state from prosecuting the aduls who pimp those young girls.
James
February 1st, 2010
6:32 pm
It’s funny how this article is claiming that all the Christians were there trying to stop these bills. I was with the largest church group there (several hundred) and we were trying to get these bills PASSED.
It is indeed a very heated debate, but the perspective of those who agree with the bill is that it is wrong to arrest a girl who has been sexually trafficked, instead they should be sent into rehab and the pimps arrested (as it is, pimps only get a few weeks). The rehab would be payed for by a tax on pornography and strip clubs, which in my opinion fits with the other “sin tax” taxes that are in place, whether or not those are right.
KLW
February 1st, 2010
6:39 pm
@John – the bill has a specific provision (in Section 3) to address your concern and ensure that pimps and johns can still be prosecuted. No one wants to see the true offender — the exploiting adults — go free!
Sick of Republicans
February 1st, 2010
6:44 pm
Albert, I am with you 100%. Agree with everything you say.
T-Dub
February 1st, 2010
7:17 pm
Where in these bills does it divert the underage kids to “diversionary” programs? These bill do nothing but stop prosecution for prostitution for people under 18 or 16 (depending on the version of the bill). Are the diversionary programs another bill or statute?
SWGA Politics » What Is Wrong With This Picture?
February 1st, 2010
7:31 pm
[...] the Georgia Talibaptist Association (aka the “Christian” Right, and specifically -from Jim Galloway – the Georgia Christian Alliance, the Georgia Christian Coalition, Ralph Reed’s Faith and [...]
Truth Wins Out - Georgia “Pro-Family” Groups Wish to Prosecute Child Sex Trafficking Victims
February 1st, 2010
7:33 pm
[...] Wing Watch points out that Eagle Forum is not alone in opposing this bill. They are joined by the Georgia Christian Alliance, the Georgia Christian Coalition, Ralph Reed’s Faith and [...]
Baker
February 1st, 2010
7:33 pm
Good opportunity for a GOP guvna candidate to come out and try to bridge a communication gap here.
mike
February 1st, 2010
7:36 pm
Well, if nothing else, this article gave Christian-hating liberals to show what bigots they are.
mike
February 1st, 2010
7:40 pm
The truth is that, regardless of what you think about their policy recommendations, the “Christian right” that the hateful bigots here love to attack are clearly far more engaged in trying to end child sex-trafficking than the wonderful humanist liberal critics here.
You folks could make your voice heard on this matter. Have you? Have ever really contributed to any cause? I’d be shocked to find out that any of the hateful bigots here have ever done anything for anyone.
Ask yourself, bigots. When is the last time you got involved in anything that benefited someone else? I am sure that none of you do squat beyond demonize strangers and sleep alone at night,
Like most liberals, you are a bunch of hypocrites.
Some Other Mike
February 1st, 2010
7:44 pm
If you need a reminder of why our view of religion in the public square is so skewed, this is a better one.
/LOL
Dave
February 1st, 2010
7:47 pm
Love to see the modern-day Stalinists come out and mow down the Christians once again. Equating Baptists with the Taliban is slander (or is it libel?) at best and perjury at worst (It’s BS either way), but what do you expect from those who traded Karl Rove for Karl Marx? Having said that, I too am a little befuddled that they would be against it; it would benefit these groups to go back and read the bill fully, as it might cause them to change their minds.
Dave
February 1st, 2010
8:02 pm
Mike, the liberals’ answer to this problem is to not have a problem; abort (i.e. kill) the child before it’s born so you won’t have to worry about it being exploited. Problem solved.
OO
February 1st, 2010
8:03 pm
G.K. Chesterton: “The best argument against Christianity is Christians.”
horse
February 1st, 2010
8:07 pm
Religion is the root of all the problems in the world today, not government or God.
OO?
February 1st, 2010
8:15 pm
…I am sure everyone is falling over to be like you as well…a godless person with no conscience, no hope and total engrossed in self…just what the world needs.
Midtowner
February 1st, 2010
8:50 pm
When Fascism comes to America, it will be wrapped in the Flag and carrying a Bible.
Lynn
February 1st, 2010
8:54 pm
Everybody in this country is a GD moron. We need to line ourselves against a wall and shoot us.
WAW
February 1st, 2010
9:21 pm
North Avenue Presbyterian Church, a PCUSA congregation (the liberal bunch), were the first to try to help the children forced into prostitution in Atlanta. They were not on the Capital steps, not in front of the news cameras, and not promoting any political position. They were trying to save children.
So all you folks on the “right” in this blog prove even again that you need to consider the board in your eye before you worry about liberal splinters.
Dave
February 1st, 2010
9:22 pm
Fascism is already here, courtesy of the Democrat Party, being used as a tool by secular radicals.
sean
February 1st, 2010
9:24 pm
Wow the liberals here sure do hate us christians. I mean really hate us. I thought they preached tollerance? I am a little confused about the bill, It does seem like with it, loop holes could appear to help out the pimps and johns. I think it should STAY illegal however the girls be required to go into protective custody. Now see that was not hard at all, a civil response without spewing any hatred. Oh yea JESUS saves.
DannyX
February 1st, 2010
9:25 pm
Ralph, you’re wasting your time here at the state level. Our once great nation needs your moral guidance.
The Republican Party is a cesspool that needs cleaning up. The ungodly Republicans are expected to re-elect Sen Vitter. He paid hookers to change his diapers. Yuk.
Then there is th current Republican Governor of South Carolina. This guy lied, lied lied. This guy also *%&%#, &^%$^&, and &%$##^ himself crazy with a hot Argentine babe. His wife is still mad.
Then there is that Sen Ensign. What a creep.
The new symbol of the Republican Party is a sex symbol who posed NUDE for a major magazine.
The Christian Right lost one of its own, Republican Presidential spiritual adviser Reverend Haggard. You wouldn’t believe what he did.
Then there was another Christian Right tragedy involving Ralph Reed and that pesky Indian gambling payola.
Who could forget Republican Larry Craig. You wouldn’t believe what this guy did. Lol.
Republican House Speaker Glenn Richardson. What a mess. You wouldn’t believe what this guy did. Weird.
And finally, go to the prison Linda Schrenko is in. Stealing funds to fund a face lift is a desperate cry out for help.
Ralph your Party needs you.
Dave
February 1st, 2010
9:29 pm
In the liberal dictionary, “tolerance” means “whole-hearted agreement and support, or else.”
German Shepherd Dawg
February 1st, 2010
9:49 pm
DannyX,
Thanks for a completely irrelevant reiteration of offenses by Republican politicians, I could produce an equally useless one recounting the misdeeds of Barney Frank and friends, but that would be complimenting your useless effort with one of my own. Republicans are useless idiots. Democrats are dangerous and useless idiots. The lesser of two evils is still evil. So what’s the point?
We need politicians that are less concerned about party politics and more concerned about the well being of American citizens. Everything Barack Obama does isn’t inherently bad just because it’s him doing it. Most of what he does is bad because its contrary to the best interests of America. Does that make him a bad person? No. It makes him a bad president.
Was everything Bush did good? Don’t be silly, of course not. But the current crisis is not all his fault, nor is it all Obama. Bush helped make things bad, and now Obama is making it infinitely worse.
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. [...]
Leigh
March 6th, 2010
4:30 pm
Oh Christians with no sense, please shut up! Don’t you get it? The law is trying to protect these kids! The child prostitutes are the victims, often living as slaves!! Yes, oh southern brothers and sisters, slavery is alive and well, and current laws are criminalizing the victims! I have been a Christian for a long time, but the ignorance and hatred I see among believers is astounding.
End The War on Children : Georgia Liberal
March 10th, 2010
10:02 am
[...] want to throw victims of child prostitution in jail instead of getting them into diversionary [...]
JulietheArtist
March 31st, 2010
4:29 pm
Ignorance is NOT bliss, nor is unfair judgment, justice. Shame on the conservative right ‘Christians’. I suggest someone educate them to the TVPA 2000 federal law & recommend that they start applying what their Bible says, “Vindicate the weak and fatherless; do justice to the afflicted and destitute, rescue the weak and needy; deliver them out of the hand of the wicked.” Psalm 82:3-4 (NASB) These minors are victims not criminals and deserve to receive comprehensive services as victims, not treated as criminals. What would Jesus do? What DID Jesus do? He said to let the children come to him and forgave, defended & protected the prostitute.
Baxter
April 3rd, 2010
4:22 pm
I am going to say two things that will appear mutually contradictory but I hold to be absolutely true:
1.) It is not right, ethical, or effective to judge individuals based on ‘who they are’ or who they ‘hang’ with. ie – to base your opinion about something based on whether or not the person saying it is a Fundamentalist Christian or a Liberal!
2.) Whatever Nancy Schaefer and her judgemental, hating, sexophobic cronies are for, I’m against, and vice versa!
As my mother used to often say ‘There are people out there filled with hate and I HATE people like that!!!!!!!!!
Seriously though – there are MANY Christians out there who are being seriously misrepresented by the far right and we do indeed need to watch our rhetoric and our intention when we label someone ‘Christian’ when we really mean Far Right or Fundamendalist Christians. It’s simply a matter of being fare, accurate, AND effective.
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