Prostitution in Medieval Europe - 2405 Words

The Christian church in medieval Rome held a lot of social and religious authority but along with authority came issues of society that they were forced to deal with. Sexuality was a matter of the churches concern that was more often related to the word Evil. I am going to attempt to prove that the evils involved in sexuality such as prostitution, and homosexuality were necessary for the church to maintain a growing authority over society. The chronological limits I am focusing on will fall between 300AD Ââ€" 1200AD, with some references to dates both prior and thereafter these dates. I will explore the views on women held by Christians, related to traditional beliefs, gender roles, and sexual norms of behaviour. Prostitution as a†¦show more content†¦Some viewed the prostitute as so evil that she was not satisfied ruining herself with a small band of lovers, but sought to allure all men through her marvellous beauty, to drag them down with her.8 A prostitute was beneath th e laws contempt, not allowed to accuse others of crime, they were not allowed to inherit property, and if you had any descendants of such a history you could never be admitted as a knight. St. Paul was quoted Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I therefore take the members of Christ and make them members of a prostitute? Never! Do you not know that he who joins himself to a prostitute becomes one body with her?9 Although the church did not agree with the act of prostitution they realized that it did serve a purpose in society. There were other problems in society that prostitution helped deter, such as adultery and homosexuality. Prostitution was looked upon as having a similar purpose as sewers, as sewers drain filth out of the city, prostitution keeps lust off the streets.10 It was believed that if brothel houses existed than men would be less likely to be tempted by the wives of other men. A church father gave a blessing to a young man leaving a brothel because if other men followed his example they would be less tempted to tamper with another mans wife or revert to sodomy.11 Sodomy wasShow MoreRelatedPro Legalization of Prostitution Essay1151 Words   |  5 PagesPro Legalization of Prostitution The world’s largest trade, prostitution, has always found ways to overcome the legal attempts to suppress it. Prostitution has become one of the most common trades throughout the world. Many poor countries have turned to prostitution as an outlet from their economic difficulties. It is the easiest from of labor for those who do not have a proper education or the economic background to join the legal labor force. 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