Zeal For Truth

In case you didn’t see it on CNN - the citizens of San Francisco have an opportunity to decriminalize prostitution on Novemeber 4th. From the AP:

San Francisco would become the first major U.S. city to decriminalize prostitution if voters next month approve Proposition K — a measure that forbids local authorities from investigating, arresting or prosecuting anyone for selling sex.

The ballot question technically would not legalize prostitution since state law still prohibits it, but the measure would eliminate the power of local law enforcement officials to go after prostitutes.

First of all, I think it is sad to see the reason why that proponents of this measure hope it will be passed:

…proponents of Proposition K say their proposal has a better shot in San Francisco, which they believe is more sexually liberal than the city across the bay.

Sexual liberation is the worst reason to support decriminalisation of prostitution, in the same way that the desire to actually do drugs is a terrible excuse to push for drug legalisation.

The main concern here is freedom. The fact that adults should have the right to buy, sell and consume whatever they want so long as there is no aggression. Governments have no legitimate authority, not from God or from natural law, to use aggression to prevent people from making decisions that are contained within their own sphere of ownership - namely their body and their property.

There is no question that desires to prevent prostitution are correct and good - but not by law, not by aggression. We may educate them about both the natural and spiritual consequences of their actions, and we may do it with as much passion and conviction as possible, but we have no authority, not even from God, to act as “little gods” and police people’s non-criminal (that is non-aggressive) sin.

If every Christian, instead of ticking of a box authorizing criminal use of government force, instead went out and shared the gospel with one person, just one person, this world would be a lot closer to radical change for the better.