Guy Brandon Posted: 17 January 2012
Keywords: Sex & Families,
Rather than addressing fundamental moral issues around sexual freedom, this paper starts with our culture’s premise by taking a utilitarian approach and exploring the financial impacts. This is in line with the common assumption that what truly matters for public policy can be quantified. It argues that significant costs of sexual freedom are imposed on society as a whole, rather than borne solely by the individuals most directly involved. This represents an enormous moral hazard and, as a result, unsustainable and unjust public expenditure. The paper then explores ways to address this, the most compelling of which is the Bible’s emphasis on rootedness and group responsibility.
It is not the case that in Mosaic Law a woman could never remarry her husband after a divorce. That was the case only if she had had another husband in between.
Also, it is not true that "sex with a single woman necessarily led to marriage" in Mosaic Law. Sex with a *virgin* necessarily led to marriage. But not with a prostitute or a promiscuous woman.
Anton Garrett 24 January 2012
Dear Anton,
you're quite right on the first point, of course, though the bride-price explanation points in that direction.
On the second point, that's also true - but it's equally fair to say that prostitution was heavily criticised if not outlawed entirely. So avoiding the consequences of one law was only possible by placing yourself at odds with the same ideal in a different way.
Guy 30 January 2012
Brandon only came up with those 3 limited unworkable solutions to these complex issues? He needs to recruit help in formulating better solutions.
In any case, even if we spent 6% of public spending on helping people with these sorts of issues - isn't that a good thing? Are we not meant to help people any more?
He's in counting the coins while people are in dire need of help...seems wrong to me.
Witheld 30 January 2012
This is a very helpful paper Guy which deserves wider circulation. Thank you. I think the hardest leap to make for those who are sceptical about the argument will be the link between sexual freedom and relationship breakdown although personally I accept it.
I have blogged it on Chrisian Medical Comment at http://bit.ly/yBT7m7
Peter Saunders 30 January 2012
What a superb paper! Well done Guy for your research and the clear, unbiased approach to the solution. A very readable paper. Thankyou
Paul Vivian
Founder of Truthfabric
www.truthfabric.com
paul vivian 3 February 2012
Thank you for your comments, and the blog reference.
Witheld: isn't that like saying we should encourage people to smoke because the NHS is there to help sick people and is worth funding?
Guy 13 February 2012