== SHOULD PROSTITUTION BE LEGAL ==
Namaskar,
Should prostitution be legal? It may sound like a moot point, a foregone
conclusion, or even an outlandish suggestion, especially in the minds of
Ananda Margiis; but it may be something we are all confronted with more and
more in the near future-- both outside and inside AM. So we should all be
ready with the appropriate & Proutistic response.
MAYBE NOT SO OUTLANDISH AFTER ALL
Many margii readers may surely be thinking that 'the oldest profession'--
ie prostitution, has no legs to stand on and is a thing of the past; and
'there is no way that it will come to be accepted in AM circles'. And
hopefully so, even then we should be aware of societal trends as they
sometimes have a habit of sneaking our way.
As is commonly seen, in some parts of the globe-- like Europe, parts of
Asia & elsewhere etc-- the sex industry, and with it prostitution, is
gaining both (a) greater popularity, and believe it or not, (b)
acceptability as well.
Why popularity? Well for one thing it is a "great money-maker". And in this
capitalistic era, where money is king, then that is enough for some
sections of the business world to embrace it. Consider this statistic:
"Prostitution is legal in the Netherlands, and the sex industry
has revenues estimated at nearly US $1 billion a year."
And the Netherlands is one of the smallest countries on the planet--
imagine the size of the profit if it were legalised in China. And, indeed,
at present in China, the dark way of prostitution is being resorted to more
and more by young rural girls who are looking to make their way in the world.
"Fifteen years ago [in China], you didn't find sex workers
in remote areas and cities. But now it's prevalent in
every city, every county."
Given this, it may be just a matter of time before certain industrialists
capitalise on it. So that is a mere glimpse of the popular perspective from
certain financiers.
And from the perspective of the general populace, prostitution is something
that is not so under the table anymore. Amongst 'users' it is also rising
in popularity.
"One of the most popular attractions is the Highway
from Dresden Germany to Prague. It's lined with
hundreds of Brothels and thousands of independents
working along the highway."
"The world's oldest profession is highly visible in Berlin.
As night falls, the ladies of the night parade the
Oranienburger Strasse in the heart of the capital."
So in various regions of the world-- either due to economic woe in former
Communist countries, sexual repression in the Middle East, or sexual
acceptance in Europe or Singapore etc-- there is a growing market and
interest in prostitution. So much so that even legal magistrates are
changing their tune.
"A recent decision by a Berlin judge could well trigger a
change in Germany's attitude towards prostitution...
Judge Percy Maclean said the profession was now
broadly accepted."
Thus in this debauched era, in some nations even the courts are giving way
to the tidings of prostitution.
PROGRESSIVES EMBRACE SUCH FREEDOM
And perhaps, the most dangerous thing about this trend towards prostitution
is that it is being embraced by certain 'western progressives'. In the name
of 'freedom' and 'open-mindedness', more and more are thinking that
prostitution is ok. They reason, 'Let the people do what they want' and
'Why should we be confined to narrow-minded Christian beliefs' etc. Hence,
just as the right to abortion and gay marriages have become the happy song
and voting ticket of countless so-called progressives, prostitution may not
be lagging far behind. This issue also they will soon champion, if they
haven't already.
And if nothing else this spells t-r-o-u-b-l-e in the general society, and
even within AM.
THERE IS A PRECEDENCE
By now, some may be thinking that what is the need to discuss this on our
Marga forum. Prostitution is not a new issue and why should we be concerned
about it.
Well for one thing, we are responsible for the proper growth and
development of humanity and we should know its trends. So when prostitution
is rearing its ugly head more and more, then we should be aware. And
secondly, and perhaps a touch scarier, is that there is an ongoing trend
that what becomes popular with the so-called western progressives also
gains acceptance in AM. That is the history.
For evidence of this, we need not look any further than the issue of
homosexuality. This is clearly a thing that, in theory, is not at all
supported by AM ideology, yet its toes have entered the front door of
Ananda Marga, and it is no secret how this has happened.
In the western mind-set, homosexuality has gained huge momentum such that
gay marriages or same-sex marriages are not only becoming more and more
prevalent, but they are becoming legal in many states and countries
throughout the western world. And many heterosexual progressives blatantly
support this as they think it makes them look more broad-minded, since by
this way they are going directly against the Christian beliefs & the
Catholic church, both of which are looked upon by 'progressives' as being
stagnant in the social sphere. So for this reason homosexuality has become
a major force in western social and political circles.
And it does not stop there, from this 'progressive' front, such ideas about
homosexuality have leaked into, if not spilled into, Ananda Marga. Because
now not only are various Ananda Margiis less apt to say or think that
homosexuality should be addressed and treated as a social disease, as Baba
says it should; but in our Marga, various outspoken activists and
self-proclaimed lesbians are given a high place in our AM society. They are
treated as 'icons' in some regards.
And the source of this problem stems from the fact that so-called
progressives in the west hail the cause of homosexuality. Even various
Hollywood stars like Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie refuse to marry until
gays enjoy the same right to marriage in each and every state, city, and
town. So it has become 'hip' to support homosexuality-- it defines one as
being "open-minded".
And this very defective mind-set has crept into AM. Some in the Marga have
gotten caught up in the chase along with western 'progressives' such that
those same fashionable outlooks like "homosexuality go, go, go" have snuck
into AM.
Please excuse me for saying so but some of our Dadas are have very
recently been involved in homosexual realtionships. But because homosexuality
is so accepted in the general society, when a Wt indulges then it is
not seen as such a bad thing. (Note the aforesaid case is well known
and I have the details and first-hand information.)
And if we are not careful, the way things are going, within 2, 5, or 10
years, in AM we may see a similar acceptance of prostitution-- all because
it has been accepted by certain western progressives.
It may seem like a far-off scenario, but actually it may be closer than we
think. And best is to get our stance straight from the very beginning, lest
some get sucked into the so-called progressive western mind-set, as has
happened with the issue of homosexuality.
A QUICK CLARIFICATION
Just to clarify, our perspective in AM is not that homosexuals should be
shunned & banned forever and ever; rather according to Baba such persons
should be rectified and treated. Because theirs is not a natural way to
live and we should not let our brothers and sisters fall prey to this
approach.
With full compassion, our manner is to adopt a stance against this abnormal
way of life and through 16 Points guide such people how to mend their ways.
And our view should be made clear and must not be at all ambiguous or
contradictory. We should stick to our AM ideals, and have full empathy
towards those lesbians and help them to be cured.
BACK TO THE MAIN TOPIC
All this goes to show that the issues supported by 'progressive western
intellectuals' has a habit of sinking into AM. So we should be careful.
Because as prostitution is becoming more and more rampant around the globe
due to so many defective trends such as the massive numbers of refugees,
poverty, pseudo-culture, and a crude fascination with sex, its prevalence
is allowing it to gain acceptance into the so-called progressive
think-tank. Little by little this is happening. And we do not want the next
step being that some in AM also start thinking that prostitution is fine
and well so that they will be embraced as being 'open-minded' by various
so-called progressives. That is the main issue, or potential issue if we
look a touch further down the road.
THE ERA IN WHICH WE LIVE
In this degraded era of Kali Yuga when so many crude vices are cropping up
in so many aspects of our social life, our standard is to stick to AM
ideals and now be swayed by any so-called progressives. Surely, on one is
AM supports the notion of prostitution but as the thinking of society
changes, no one in our Marga should get swayed, for any reason.
Here then are but a few of Baba's strict guidelines on this matter. So just
as in the case of homosexuality, Baba's approach towards prostitution is
equally clear.
Baba says, "The repugnant social disease of prostitution is also a creation
of the vaeshyas. As a result of excessive wealth the vaeshyas lose their
self-control and their character on the one hand; and many unfortunate
women are forced by poverty to descend to this sinful occupation on the
other hand." (HS-2)
Baba says, "Because of injustices against women with respect to their
social rights and because women are economically crippled, a section of
women is compelled to take to prostitution. Although there are many causes
of this profession, these are the main two. Ananda Marga recognizes that
women are as dignified human beings as men. Ananda Marga, in addition,
wants to encourage women to be economically independent of men. The system
in which characterless men swagger about in society while fallen women are
denied proper opportunities despite their sincere desire to lead an honest
life, can never be supported by justice." (28 January 1958 RU, Trimohan)
BABA'S BLESSING
By Baba's grace as we spread the ideals of AM to the four corners, our
universal human family will grow in a sentient and nice way and recognise
the inherent value of all.
Baba says, "In this new society based on Neohumanism, everyone will find
their life worth living. All will regain their lost positions of honour."
(NHNS-1)
Namaskar,
Dinesh
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Special Formula of Tandava
Baba says, "Tandava: As long as a dancer remains above the ground, he
derives much benefit; when he touches the ground, then those benefits are
assimilated by the body. That is why in the tandava dance there is much
jumping, because jumping requires the practitioner to remain off the ground
for a fairly long period of time." (NSS, p. 23)
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