Suburban Prostitution

A Christchurch law limiting brothels to a narrowly defined central city block has been quashed by the High Court. This raises some interesting issues about the authority of the state.

Prostitution is a sin and not a crime. This means that the civil government does not have authority to ban or punish prostitution

Civil government has authority to punish violence and kidnapping. It should get involved when young women are forced into prostitution.

The civil government does not have authority to stop a person from conducting a business in their home. It can only intervene if the business commits a crime.

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Jesus dined with sinners and prostitutes (Luke 36-38).

While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew's house, many tax collectors and "sinners" came and ate with him and his disciples. When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, "Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and 'sinners'?"

On hearing this, Jesus said, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. But go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice.' For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners." (Matthew 9:10-13)

If prostitutes move into the suburbs, it will be easier for Christians to follow Jesus example and invite them round for Sunday lunch.