Prostitution: Prevalent but not a Helpless, Hopeless Case

According to Sol F. Juvida inPhilippines - Children: Scourge of Child Prostitution, “The Philippines ranks 4th among nine nations with the most number of children in prostitution (60,000 to 100,000 as of 1997), with Metro Manila, Angeles City, Puerto Galera in Mindoro Province, Davao and Cebu as the top five areas for child prostitution and sex tourism.”1 So just imagine what could possibly be the figure now.

Isn’t it sad to see that a country like ours which is known as the only Christian country inAsia is also among those who top the list of countries where prostitution is prevalent? Ironic it seems, right? Not only that. A report from Coalition Against Trafficking of Women Asia-Pacific states that “there are around 400,000 to 500,000 prostituted persons in the country that include women, some male, transvestites and children.”2 In a video clip entitled Prostitution in the Philippines: Finding a Way Out, the reporter said that: “There are over 5,000 prostitutes in Quezon City alone.”3

Why is prostitution rampant in our country despite the fact that it is illegal? Are those people peddling flesh in the streets, taxis, bars, hotels, and even parks merely forced into the flesh trade or they are there on their own decision? But why when they surely are aware of its consequences?

Causes of Prostitution

Studies show different causes why people are into prostitution. In R. Barri Flowers’Prostitution in the Digital Age: Selling Sex From the Suite to the Street, he mentioned several theories of the causes of prostitution such as biological, psychological, sociological, economic, and the ones which we commonly think of as what drives people into prostitution are what he calls “correlates” of prostitution like sexual abuse, substance abuse, sexual orientation/gender identity, survival sex, sexual slavery, and sexual adventure and promiscuity.4

Needless to say, poverty (plus perhaps the desire to earn money in a fast and easy way) is one of the prime reasons why prostitution is widespread in our country. For countless times, I have seen and heard reports about women from provinces being recruited to work in big cities like Manila as household helpers but when they reached the city they are prostituted, often times without the knowledge of their parents or families. Some would try to escape but sadly, others will soon give in and continue in the flesh trade in their own volition (but still under the supervision or control of their pimps) as it allows them to earn much which they usually send back home to support the needs of their families, or to help send siblings to school, or for the medications of ailing parents, but there are cases also that those individuals being prostituted are not well compensated.

Solutions to Prostitution

Some of the solutions to prostitution as suggested by the Philippine Commission on Women are the following: (1) redefine prostitution, (2) target the demand side; criminalize those who exploit people in prostitution, (3) decriminalize women in prostitution; regard them as victims not criminals, (4) define person exploited in prostitution or a prostituted person, and (5) establish support mechanisms for prostituted persons to get out of the system of prostitution.4

We certainly are not unaware that our country has laws against prostitution which can aid in working out those suggestions given above but we are equally aware that because our government is not consistent and persistent enough to implement its laws, prostitution is becoming a widespread business in the country. It is even becoming a “tourist attraction,” sad to say. However, we can still be thankful that in some parts of the country, government officials are determined to help solve the problems on prostitution. In the video clip you can see below, the reporter mentioned and I quote:

“In 2005, Quezon City passed an ordinance protecting prostituted women from arrests. After six years of visiting the streets, the ordinance is finally fully implemented today. Now, police arrests the pimps and patrons instead of the prostitutes. Streetwalkers of Cubao say, “Cases of abuse have decreased significantly.”5 

Aside from the government, there are several non-government organizations (NGO's), private advocates, or Christian organizations (like the Coalition Against Trafficking of Women in Asia Pacific andSamaritana Transformation Ministries, Inc.) that help prostituted individuals to get out of the flesh trade. Nevertheless, it is not realistic to think that we can eradicate prostitution in just a short span of time since it has already rooted deep into the system of our society. Or perhaps it may not even realistic to think that it can be totally eradicated. Even Christianity or the Church knows that it is a problem with no “one size fits all” solution. It is a problem that needs special care and attention, effort, time, money, determination, faith, and grace.                                                     

The Role of the Church

So, where can the church be in the picture now? What do we do to help those people in the flesh trade get out of their unethical and immoral way of living? Do we even care to reach out to them?

We have seen in Jesus’ ministry how He treated people whom the community labelled as “sinners” such as the tax collectors, prostitutes, and adulterers. He did not condemn them but advised them to “go and sin no more” (John 8:11). He dined with them and took time to minister to them (Matt. 9:10-13); an act which the Pharisees considered as improper so they were resentful seeing Jesus spending time with people whom they condemn as “sinners.” But Jesus rebuked them and told them, "It is not those who are healthy who need a physician, but those who are sick” (Matt. 9:12).

Prostitution cannot be stopped overnight but it is surely not a helpless, hopeless case. Jesus Himself expressed great hope in sinners and prostitutes being saved when He said:   

“Truly I say to you that the tax collectors and prostitutes will get into the kingdom of God before you. For John came to you in the way of righteousness and you did not believe him; but the tax collectors and prostitutes did believe him; and you, seeing this, did not even feel remorse afterward so as to believe him” (Matt. 21:31-32).

One small step of reaching out to them may make a great change in their lives and ours. So, let's get involved. How? Let us ask the Lord to open up avenues where we can minister to people in the commercial sex industry. But the questions are: Are we willing to get out of our comfort zones into the streets? Are we willing to welcome them in our churches? Are we comfortable having them in our worship services? If not, then we should start praying for ourselves first; that we will stop acting like the Pharisees and start imitating what Jesus did - reach out to the "sinners" with love and compassion - which may mean going an extra mile if we are really determined to take them out from darkness into the saving knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

---

1 Sol. F. Juvida, “Philippines - Children: Scourge of Child Prostitution,” IPS, 12 October 1997, in Philippine Commission on Women: National Machinery for Gender Equality and Women's Empowerment, Anti-Prostitution Bill, http://pcw.gov.ph/anti-prostitution-bill (accessed July 26, 2013).

2 Philippine Commission on Women: National Machinery for Gender Equality and Women's Empowerment, Prostitution Bill, http://pcw.gov.ph/anti-prostitution-bill (accessed July 26, 2013).

3 YouTube, Prostitution in the Philippines: Finding a Way Out, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IqE7g-sOAb4 (accessed July 26, 2013).

4 R. Barri Flowers, Prostitution in the Digital Age: Selling Sex From the Suite to the Street (Santa Barbara, Calif: Praeger, 2011), eBook Collection (EBSCOhost), EBSCOhost (accessed July 19, 2013).

5 YouTube, Prostitution in the Philippines: Finding a Way Out, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IqE7g-sOAb4 (accessed July 26, 2013).

We're Holding on the Promises of Christ our Lord! (Reliving That Unforgettable Night)

[Posted at Christianblog.com last July 2, 2011]

God, indeed, works in many special ways!

Tonight, I and my room-mates had a wonderful time during our scheduled weekly group devotion. We were able to share our joys and even struggles here in the seminary. We had a meaningful time sharing our ups and downs in life even long before we came to study at IGSL.

After our sharing time, we found out that the three of us have a common ground - we are all products of broken families (with different reasons though). Up until today, there are recurring emotions that are results of our past. The hurtful experiences we had in the past might have caused us to appear fragile and weak, but we are warriors of Christ within striving to live a life wholly based on biblical truths and principles.

As part of our discussion, we shared to one another our life verse/s. Mine is found in Joshua 1:9 which says, "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go."

Whenever I am faced with trials and challenges that seem to be so heavy for me to bear, I always look back to that day when God gave me Joshua 1:9 as an assurance that wherever He would lead me He is there as well to guide me and to carry me through. My prayer is not for me to be free from problems but, instead, for God to give me the strength and courage enough for me to face and surmount every trial, sorrow, or suffering that may come my way.

I am not alone in this journey. I am now journeying along with my friends here in IGSL, especially with my room-mates.  It is our prayer that though we came from different countries with different cultures and practices, we will be able to help and encourage one another to keep trusting God's will and purposes for our lives, to remind one another that God's will is always what's best for us, and to love one another as unto the Lord. 

Different stories, different culture, but One Mighty God - JESUS!

Just a thought for today:)

They say that life is not about destiny but it is a matter of choice. But it is equally true as well that at times there are things we really wanted to do which we know are not bad at all and in fact could even make us and other people around us happy yet we have to choose not to do so, especially if the right and good thing we consider is not in accordance to God's plan for us. It's hard I know, but by God's grace we could always tell ourselves, "Trust Him. He knows what's best for you!" (Jeremiah 29:11)


Our God is the Powerful God who made the heavens and the earth and all the things around us - great and small, seen and unseen. He made the wild flowers in the meadows to bloom and provided food even for the birds who do not labor to grow crops just as man does. If God cares for the flowers and the birds, how much more for us whom He had given His Son to die on Calvary to save you and me from the penalty of sin which is death.


I know there are so many things around us that are really hard to understand and for sure there are also many questions whose answers we may never know unless God chooses to reveal them to us. So why should we wear ourselves out trying to find solution to the problem that only God can solve, to find answers to questions whose answers are beyond our comprehension, or to find security in things that do not concern about God's perfect plan and purpose for our lives?


Let us remember: 

Ecclesiastes 3:1-14 (NIV): A Time for Everything
  
 1 There is a time for everything, 
   and a season for every activity under the heavens:
 2 a time to be born and a time to die, 
   a time to plant and a time to uproot, 
 3 a time to kill and a time to heal, 
   a time to tear down and a time to build, 
 4 a time to weep and a time to laugh, 
   a time to mourn and a time to dance, 
 5 a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, 
   a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing, 
 6 a time to search and a time to give up, 
   a time to keep and a time to throw away, 
 7 a time to tear and a time to mend, 
   a time to be silent and a time to speak, 
 8 a time to love and a time to hate, 
   a time for war and a time for peace.
 9 What do workers gain from their toil? 10 I have seen the burden God has laid on the human race. 11 He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet[a] no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end. 12 I know that there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to do good while they live. 13 That each of them may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all their toil—this is the gift of God. 14 I know that everything God does will endure forever; nothing can be added to it and nothing taken from it. God does it so that people will fear him.


God sets the time for everything. So, we are assured that no matter what situation we are in right now, He will deliver us out of it and will make things beautiful in His time. Let us not forget though that: 

Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 (NIV)

13 Now all has been heard; 
     here is the conclusion of the matter: 
     Fear God and keep his commandments, 
     for this is the duty of all mankind. 
14 For God will bring every deed into judgment, 
     including every hidden thing, 
     whether it is good or evil.

Best Wife Supports Best Ruler: The Significance of the Role of a Wife in the Success of Her Husband

Have you heard of Justinian I? Who is he? What have he done for him to be remembered? What significant role did his wife play in his success as an emperor of his time? What lesson can we learn from his life and his relationship with his wife? These, and maybe few others, are just some of the questions we would like to give light to as we look back at an event or a portion of the history which many of us have not heard of yet or may not have any interest to know about if not asked to do so.

For most of us, Justinian I is not known – his life, his contribution to history, his success as an emperor, and the like. He lived in a time that for us today is considered ancient. So, who is Justinian I then?

I. The “Best Ruler” of His Time

Flavius Anicius Julianus Justinianus, commonly known as Justinian I, was born about 483 at Tauresium (Taor) in Illyricum. He was the nephew of Justin I (518-27), being the son of Justin I's sister Vigilantia and a certain Sabatius. When his uncle died in August 527, Justinian I was left sole ruler.[1]

As a ruler, Justinian I’s motto was “One Empire, one law, one church” and among his achievements as an emperor are the following:[2]

(1)   he reformed the Eastern church thus outlawed the clergy from watching the Circus which had gruesome and vulgar entertainment;

(2) he persecuted the enemies of God (pagans and Jews within his empire);

(3) he started the new style of construction called Byzantine architecture with the help of his engineers and among his famous works are the Hagia Sophia and the Church of Our Lady in Jerusalem;

(4) he was able to reclaim the territories that were lost to the barbarians and other enemies through his cunning generals;

(5) he embarked and completed the codification of the old Roman and Byzantine laws so that the law would be clear to all;

(6) he was considered a king and a priest during his reign; due to the influence of his Queen, Theodora, who was a Monophysite ( holds the belief that there is but one nature, the divine nature, in Christ), Justinian often forced the bishops and the councils to add theological phrases that potentially soften the differences between the orthodox church and the Monophysites.

The Hagia Sophia

Justinian I was considered to be the “best ruler” of his time because of his achievements and the thirty-eight years of his reign as emperor are the most brilliant period of the later empire. [3]  Why was it so? Was he just smarter and more hardworking than the other emperors of his time? What other factors contributed to his success?

II. The Woman Behind Justinian I’s Success

History has it that Justinian I’s wife, Theodora I, played a very significant, remarkable role in all the successes that Justinian I’s attained during his reign as emperor of Rome. Among the few remarks about Theodora I [4] are enumerated below: 

(1)   the Queen behind the King,

(2)   was a strong supporter of her husband,

(3)   all her projects added to Justinian I’s fame,

(4)   the brain behind Justinian I’s leadership, and

(5)   it was her courage and presence of mind that saved Justinian I’s throne at the time of the Circus revolution that nearly wrecked the state[5]

Having such a great influence in her husband’s success, few were said about Theodora I. Among the few information I have learned about her was about her shady past. According to historians, she was a former exotic dancer in the Roman circus, thus considered a woman of ill-repute.[6] Further, Fortescue asserts that “there is no doubt that she had led an immoral life before her marriage in 523.[7]

It would be a long story to tell how Justinian I ended up with a woman like Theodora I, but despite her shady past we cannot ignore the fact that she did a great job in supporting her husband which gave her the credit of being the “best wife,” maybe not of all times but probably amongst the other wives of the Roman emperors of their time.

III. So What?

Right! You might be asking now, “So what about all these history and recollection of other people’s lives? Why would I care to know about their lives or achievements?” 

Like them, we are individuals who play different roles in our family, in our church, in our workplace, in our society; but in connection to Justinian I and Theodora I, I want to zero in at the importance of wives in terms of the success of their husbands - be it a career to pursue or a ministry to fulfil.

As a single woman, I may not be in the position yet to talk about this matter but one thing I realized, as I was confronted with fact that wives can influence either their husband’s success or failure, is that my role as a wife someday may make or break my future husband’s career or ministry. I now understand that I will not be given by God to him, whoever he will be, just to bear his children and do the household chores, but I am called to partner with him in fulfilling God’s agenda for his career/ministry and for our family as a whole (thinking about these things make me smile). If indeed I will marry someday, early as now I believe that being a wife is not an easy task to fulfil. So for single women like me, may it be clear to us that our role as wives someday is more than just keeping the house clean, raising up our kids, or cooking for our family; but more than that, we will be given by God to the man whom He had set for us to support and help him in his every endeavour. We must be someone who will help him become the best that he could be, not someone who will nag at him in order for us to get what we want or to have our decision followed.

For all the single men who are eyeing for a potential wife, especially those who are involved in fulltime ministry, may you realize that choosing your future wife is not like choosing the best suit you can wear and can display in public, but you must see to it that she is the person who can be your helpmate in fulfilling your calling. I have heard so many stories about men, not excluding pastors and ministry workers, who did not succeed in their chosen career/ministry because they have unsupportive, nagging wives or wives who do not have the same calling or passion as they have when it comes to ministry. Whether you are pursuing a career or working fulltime in ministry, your choice of a wife is a great factor for your failure or success someday so choose wisely and never belittle God’s part in this area of your life. God surely knows who the best woman is for you to take as your wife therefore, fervently seek His will and you surely will never end up bemoaning over a wrong choice.

To all husbands out there, have you ever realized how important the role of your wife to your success is? Have you ever thanked them enough for their sacrifices, both for you and your children? I asked some married men whom I know are great leaders and/or achievers in their chosen career or ministry to answer this question, “What significant role/s does your wife play in terms of your success?” and the following are their responses:

1. Husband A says that his wife is his (1) encourager, (2) shock absorber at times/co-carrier of burdens, (3) greatest fan/admirer, and (4) best friend.
2. Husband B says that his wife (1) prays for him, (2) takes care of him really well, (3) supports his desires and decisions, (4) is committed in taking good care of their children, (5) helps him in the ministry, and (6) is patient with him.
3. Husband C says that his wife is (1) loving, (2) understanding, (3) faithfully supportive in his ministry, and (4) obedient to God’s will.
4. Husband D enthusiastically enumerated through our phone conversation that his wife is his critic at the end of every activity he does. The comments that he received from his wife helped him evaluate himself to see what needs to be improved next time. Whenever he does not hear any negative comments from his wife, that means he did well. His wife has been a great help for him also when it comes to understanding the natural behavioural responses of a person in any given circumstances, especially that of the opposite sex (this is in relation to ministry).
5. Husband E says that, “My wife’s love and support helps me a lot in having confidence in my leadership and dealings with issues and people. She always believes the best in me.” (Ah, sweet!)
6. Husband F gave a brief and precise answer when he said that his wife’s significant role in his success is her (1) partnership and (2) encouragement.

I may not be in the position to say this but allow me still to encourage or remind all husbands out there to ponder upon this thought: “Your wife is a gift from God. He gave her to you as your helpmate, not your slave or someone inferior to you. Love her just as Christ loves the church (Eph. 5:25) and never forget to appreciate her contribution to your success.”

To all the wives out there, let me cheer you up by this: “You are a gift from God to your husband. Never underestimate your role as a wife. You are given by God to your husband for a purpose that only you alone can fulfil.”

IV. Your Turn: Say it Out Loud

I think I have said so much, so this time I would like to hear from you also. Below are questions which I categorized as for a married man, a married woman, a single man, and a single woman. I personally believe that our own experiences, opinions, or thoughts can be valuable source of lessons that we can share to others for their good so please care to leave some of your precious ideas for others to learn from. 

For a married man: How do you view the opinions or ideas of your wife? Do you consider her as a partner in every decision-making in your family and ministry/career or is she obliged to follow whatever your decision is?

For a married woman: How do you view your role as a wife? How significant do you think your opinions or ideas are to the success of your husband?

For a single man: What percentage will you give to each of the areas enumerated below when it comes to choosing your future wife? (Total score must be 100%. If you want, you can explain why you chose "__________" to be the highest and why "__________" the lowest)

*  Character

*  Spiritual maturity

*  Educational attainment

*  Family background

*  Beauty/physical appearance (height, body figure, complexion)

For a single woman: How would you describe an ideal husband-wife relationship? What is your view about submission to husband?

Thank you for dropping by folks. Good day and God bless!

________________________________

[1]Adrian Fortescue, The Catholic Encyclopedia, vol. VIII (New York: Robert Appleton Company, 1910), 1 (based on the given reading assignment in TS 601, S.Y. 2011-2012).

[2] Raymundo M. Go, “The Church in the East: The Byzantine Church AD 330 to 1453” (class notes, International  Graduate School of Leadership, Quezon City, Philippines, Trimester 3, SY 2011-12).

[3] Adrian Fortescue, The Catholic Encyclopedia, 1.

[4] Taken from Professor Raymundo Go’s PowerPoint presentation on Theodora I during our class discussion last January 06, 2012.

[5] Fortescue, 3.

[6] Taken from Professor Raymundo Go’s PowerPoint presentation on Theodora I during our class discussion last January 06, 2012.

[7] Fortescue, 3.