Human trafficking is a modern form of slavery, spread all over the world. Every year, hundreds of women are illegally taken abroad mainly to work in prostitution. Women who have become victims of human trafficking undoubtedly need special treatment and protection. However, the field of their activities often causes many contradictions in public opinion. At the same time, true religion takes care of those who cannot take care of themselves, including these women.
In many poorer countries, namely Eastern European countries, human trafficking is widespread, as people seek opportunities to earn money abroad. Women are often forced into prostitution by being offered the job of waitresses in bars or hotels. Moreover, as Mimi Chakarova points out in an interview, these women are very gullible because they have no alternatives (Human Trafficking And The Terrible ‘Price Of Sex’, 2011). Trafficked women often have no other choice, as they must care for their parents or children.
Nevertheless, very often in the formation of public opinion about these women, the reasons for their decisions or behavior do not matter at all. People are used to judging others by their actions in the present, without going back to the past. When forming their attitude towards women engaged in prostitution abroad, people often do not take into account either the reasons why the woman is in such a position or the events she experienced. Moreover, in many countries prostitution is illegal, hence the law and the illegality of a woman’s actions will also affect public opinion about her. This attitude contradicts the postulates of true religion, where everyone is equal before God because everyone was a slave.
Consideration of the past, which influenced the present, is one of the main themes of the Hebrew Bible and the prophetic message. Thus, the implementation of an ideal religion is possible in the context of human trafficking and forced prostitution. True religion aims to care for those who cannot care for themselves, as in the case of trafficked women. The story of David and Bathsheba shows that all people, even kings, are equal before God (Hudson 34). Conversely, God is always on the side of the oppressed, like widows, orphans, and poor.
Fair treatment of women who have been forced to work in prostitution implies understanding and sympathy for the circumstances that led to such an outcome. It can be both misunderstanding and ignorance, and despair. Women in despair are oppressed thus God and the prophets are on their side. Furthermore, these women need special attention and care, as they have not been able to take care of themselves.
Thus, religion shifts the emphasis concerning human trafficking and prostitution. The messages of the prophets say not to focus on what exists now, but to look to the past to understand the causes of the present. Women who were forced to work in prostitution often did not understand what was waiting for them or were so desperate that they had no other choice. Moreover, true religion can often be contrary to the law and popular opinion. However, it is important not to forget one of the key themes of the Hebrew Bible and the prophetic message and take care of people who cannot take care of themselves.
Works Cited
Hudson, Michael. Foundations of Christian Thought and Practice. Cast Publishers, 2017.
“Human Trafficking And The Terrible ‘Price Of Sex’”. NPR, Web.