Comments about ‘Ending slavery even harder in today's world’

You know, I was with you until the dig about punishing religious groups that are trying to help.

The Catholic Church was not punished - especially not for trying to help.

The contract was instead awarded to a group that had a more favorable bid and is more willing to help victims take back control of their lives - including not further enslaving them by forcing them to carry to term and bear the child of those who victimized them. (Particularly when it means she may have to sell herself back into slavery in order to provide for the child.)

I understand that the Catholic Church does not support birth control or abortion and that is fine for Catholics who choose - of their own free will - to follow those teachings.

But to "free" a woman or girl from daily rape and then stick her in a situation where she is still being forced to do someone else's will is not truly freeing her - it just changes the location and the names of the masters.

Back in the 1990's I read a piece in Newsweek about how slavery still exists. People in India paying off loans that are five generations old, brick-kiln workers in Pakistan, etc. I wrote a letter to the editor to explain this. I said, "My calendar is broken. It says 1992, it should say 1892. We still have slavery." Back then people didn't talk about sex slavery. It was just the old-fashined free labor.

People suggest the prostitution should be legal to stop the slavery. But they do that in Europe and there is still sex slavery. Cheap prostitution requires slavery. A typical man is going to have to pay a lot of money to get a random woman to sleep with him.

Adult businesses, such as pornography, create the demand for prostitution. Recently a movie star had some topless photos stolen off of her mobile. She said, "It was for my husband. But there isn't anything wrong if I had done if for pornography." Well, there is something wrong if it was for pornography. That is creating the demand for sex slavery.

Jay Evensen's article is timely and important. Thank you. Folks should be aware of another report that was released on October 27, 2011. It is titled "Garden of Truth: The Prostitution and Trafficking of Native Women in Minnesota". It can be found on the web. Here are some things from it:

"American Indians have higher per capita rates of violent victimizations than other groups in the United States."

"Prostitution is another form of this egregious violence against Native women. An honest review of history indicates that European system of prostitution was imposed by force on tribal communities through nearly every point of contact between Europeans and Native people. It is essential to understand the history of this trafficking of Native women in order to reduce the epidemic of sexual violence against them. Yet most research on violence against Native women in the United States fails to include prostitution and sex trafficking as forms of sexual violence."

Jay Evensen's article did not mention the highest per capita group of women in the United States who are victims of these sex crimes.

A report that was released on October 27, 2011 titled "Garden of Truth: The Prostitution and Trafficking of Native Women in Minnesota". It can be found on the web. Here are some things from it:

"American Indians have higher per capita rates of violent victimizations than other groups in the United States."

"Prostitution is another form of this egregious violence against Native women. An honest review of history indicates that European system of prostitution was imposed by force on tribal communities through nearly every point of contact between Europeans and Native people. It is essential to understand the history of this trafficking of Native women in order to reduce the epidemic of sexual violence against them. Yet most research on violence against Native women in the United States fails to include prostitution and sex trafficking as forms of sexual violence."

Jay Evensen's article did not mention the highest per capita group of women in the United States who are victims of these crimes.

Have you purchased a pair of cheap shoes or a cheap suit lately? Do you know who made them?

Do you know how many of those items are being manufactured by what essentially amounts to slaves?

Look it up. Slavery exists today in many forms and they're not all in the sex trade. Corporations take advantage of these situations every bit as much as the brothel owner in Georgia.

Great article Jay, thanks. All of us should be helping to reduce the ability to traffic and profit in human poverty. The trafficking for the sex trade is one egregious example. But, a much more difficult to brand example is that which movement like the Utah Compact provides cover and support in the name of compassion for. Illegal immigration is human trafficking and for most it amounts to slavery or at least near slavery forcing those in its clutches to be constant victims of pandering by politicians, and used for labor with very low renumeration. How the DNews can run this excellent article and yet editorially support the Utah Compact and non-enforcement of current US immigration laws, the very system that allows such trafficking, is a contradiction beyond my understanding.

There is a new book out by a woman who was a nurse in Saudi Arabia. Historically this nation has had a lot of sex slavery and slavery for cheap labor. It has been said a Muslim man must have sex 5 times a day. Moreover one cleric points out that as long as there is Jihad there will be slavery, and as long as there are Muslims there will be jihad. In one country men who would not become Muslims had their Achilles tendons cut so now they have to hobble around. Sexually transmitted diseases are rampant in Saudi Arabia according to this woman. It's real dumb to go to a prostitute.

The American Civil War was supposed to stop slavery but it didn't. That should not come as a surprise because war rarely changes attitudes.

People may say the Civil War was to end slavery but at the time it was really about "States Rights." In other words it was about the right of a state to do what it wants without regard to basic human rights.

When the Civil War was over, laws may have changed but attitudes didn't. Different ways were found to express a states right to oppress people. It could have been voting laws, cultural morals like where someone can eat or sit on a bus, or it may be something modern like views on immigration or even the support of vouchers for education so one group of people can benefit at the expense of another group.

So as bad as human trafficking / slavery is, we need to consider that problem also manifests itself when we identify ourselves with the 99% or the 53% and reject those not in our "class."

What in a tucket?????

Have you ever been there and sat with people there? You seem comfortable promoting rumors. The lucky few there who have tv's think that All Americans drive fast and shoot guns every day.

Those who do not have tv's go to work everyday, have religion a part of their lives. They have active Muslims and less active Muslims. There are hundreds of Muslim sects.

One Muslim sect pays 10% of its income as a tithe, has a living oracle, has a womans organization, a mens organization and a daily religious organization for youth still learning. See any similarities?

There are Christian churches that have more strange behaviors than the majority of Muslims.

Human Slavery will always exist so long as there is "Capitalism" --
i.e., $$ money to be made.

Don't believe me -- here's a hint:
Money is the root of all evil.
You can buy anything in this world, for money.

Sex, Labor, Debts to a bank....
All involve some sort of Slavery or Bondage.
All have money as the common factor.

And parents giving their young daughters to early polygamists? What's that called?

To "LDS Liberal | 9:54 a.m." actually slavery is closer to Communism or Socialism.

Everybody receives the necessities from a benevolent master. Everybody is treated the same, regardless of the work performed. When you are old and not as useful, you receive less care so that you can die quicker and free up the resources for the younger workers. You don't have to make any decisions yourself, somebody else makes them for you.

Actually, money is not the rot of all evil, the scriptures state that you can be wealthy and good, and wealth is actually a byproduct of compliance with God's laws.

We're all still slaves in one form or another. We work day in, day out and take home our pittance wages, which are barely enough to cover the necessities, and we hope to avoid some tragedy that would ruin us. A car accident, a medical condition, an injury, etc. So many families are right on the verge of disaster.

Just think about it... if your car died today or you ended up in the hospital for a week what would happen?

@RedShirt

My scriptures tell me that when people are rich they do strongly tend to think they are better than those who are poor, and despise the poor. As you say that their wealth is just a "byproduct" of their righteousness. My scriptures show that when people become rich they become proud, supposing that "righteousness is gain", then they then become sinful and then are destroyed. When whole nations become rich - the same thing tends to develop on a much larger scale, and whole civilizations are destroyed. My scriptures tell me that we should seek righteousness first, and then, if we become rich, we will use it to lift our poorer brethren up, instead of lifting ourselves up in pride and looking down in contempt on others.

I see so much of this today with Cain betraying his belief that, if someone is out of work it's his own fault, and our own Orrin Hatch (rich at our expense) suggesting we should tax the poor more because "fifty-one percent don't pay anything". He didn't say these DID actually pay taxes, just not income taxes because apparently 51% are too poor to qualify for that particular tax.

To "Gildas | 11:39 a.m. " so then you agree with me. It isn't wealth that is the problem, but the love of money that is the prolem. Unfortunately greed isn't limited to people with money. There are the greedy poor who want the wealth of others to be given to them.

Actually 47% of the nation does not pay income taxes, not 51%. Then, there is a significant number of those who pay no income taxes that actually have a negative tax rate because they get back more than they pay into the system.

It's harder today because the Government wants to enslave the population. I just got done reading " Rise and Fall of the Third Reich" and after reading that it just supports my belief that our current living conditions are mega ripe for a total oppressive enslavement by our own government with both parties working together and using propoganda to make the people believe there is a real fight going on between the leadership of the Republican and Democratic parties.

This takeover is going to happen and most of the popoulation is going to fall down and worship it. It's already happening from the comments I read on here by uninformed sheep.

You know if you are against just one wing of their political party, you are still supporting the tyrannical head .

LDS Liberal

Work is not a bad thing. All of the counsel I have heard from various General Authorities indicates that work is a positive in our lives.

RedShirt

Wealth is a byproduct of compliance with God's laws?

Pres. Hinckley (reference pornography): It is foul sleaze that makes its exploiters wealthy, its victims impoverished.

Elder Scott (speaking of pornographers): They may be wealthy, but they are miserable and without conscience.

Pres. Hinckley (speaking of a stake president): The president met me in a car that had seen many seasons. We stopped at a fast-food place for a bite to eat. His home was extremely modestneat and clean and quiet but not richly furnished. He was a carpenter by trade. He had none of the fancy things of the world. He, too, was a wonderful stake president doing his duty in a remarkable way. He was excellent in every respect. Such is the wonder of this priesthood. Wealth is not a factor. Education is not a factor. The honors of men are not a factor. The controlling factor is acceptability unto the Lord.

Conclusion? For individuals, wealth is not a result of living God's laws.

Gildas | 11:39 a.m.
LOGAN, UT

You must read the same scriptures I do - Thanks for your comment.

RedShirt, might I suggest you climb down from your Rameumpton?

Holy God, we believe that thou hast separated us from our brethren; ...but we believe that thou hast elected us to be thy holy children;...

But thou art the same yesterday, today, and forever; and thou hast elected us that we shall be saved,... O God, we thank thee; and we also thank thee that thou hast elected us,...

And again we thank thee, O God, that we are a chosen and a holy people. Amen.

Now when Alma saw this his heart was grieved;... yea, he saw that their hearts were set upon gold, and upon silver, and upon all manner of fine goods.
Yea, and he also saw that their hearts were lifted up unto great boasting, in their pride.

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BTW - Sex, Drugs, Child labor is illegal -
even in Socialist/Communist/ and Islamic countries.

but wherever there is money to be made,
you can always find a Capitalist trying to cash in on it.
Legal or Not.

Just like illegal immigration is driven here by greed & capitalist businesses.

$$$

To "Twin Lights | 12:11 p.m." and "LDS Liberal | 12:15 p.m." read Jacob 2:19
"And after ye have obtained a hope in Christ ye shall obtain riches, if ye seek them; and ye will seek them for the intent to do goodto clothe the naked, and to feed the hungry, and to liberate the captive, and administer relief to the sick and the afflicted."

I don't think that there is a scripture that is more clear. First be faithful, then you will be rich. The scriptures state that you will obtain riches.

To "LDS Liberal | 12:15 p.m." its too bad you haven't read the New Testament beter. You missed Luke 12:13-15
"13 And one of the company said unto him, Master, speak to my brother, that he divide the inheritance with me.

14 And he said unto him, Man, who made me a judge or a divider over you?

15 And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a mans life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth."

Apparently you think it is ok to use religion to covet wealth.

@RedShirt | 1:47 p.m. Nov. 3, 2011

"LDS Liberal | 12:15 p.m." read Jacob 2:19
"And after ye have obtained a hope in Christ ye shall obtain riches, if ye seek them; and ye will seek them for the intent to do goodto clothe the naked, and to feed the hungry, and to liberate the captive, and administer relief to the sick and the afflicted."

I don't think that there is a scripture that is more clear. First be faithful, then you will be rich. The scriptures state that you will obtain riches.

============

I've read this scripture many times -- it made me "Liberal".

My Mission President "Jon Huntsman Sr.", used to quote it all the time.
[The soul has no pricetag -- it' the most precious, and he drove that home to us.]

I have no qualms with philanthropists like him.
He understand and lives this scripture well.

You missed the key part about the "Intent" & "Desire" of the wealthy seeking riches --
Care for the Poor, Hungry, Sick, ect.

The betterment of Humanity is Hunstman's desire...not his $ corporations.
He has often said his Company is just the mechanism he uses to fund his Charitable Organizations.