THE ROLE OF RELIGION IN DEVELOPMENT AND SUPPRESSION OF PROSTITUTION

Abstract

Prostitution is a deviant social phenomenon, a form of sociopathological behavior, whose roots come from early period of the slave-owning society, surviving until modern days and keeping complex and controversial features. Among other indisputable influences, throughout the history of social development, religion had a determining role in creating social consciousness and responsibility. It also played an important role in creating and developing the initial forms of prostitution as part of religious rituals in temples and other shrines. Religious prostitution evidently remains an apocalyptic phenomenon where individual combines the ecstasy of a sexual act with religious experience. Nowadays, prostitution represents major social problem. Its association with religion in the ancient times, mystic rituals, fertility rites and connecting with the gods continue to be an interesting research topic. In religions as Christianity and Islam, sexual relations outside marriage are considered serious sins. It is therefore justifiable and logic that these religions support suppression of prostitution and other antisocial behaviors that denigrate and degrade moral standards and social values. Religion has always had particular role in preservation and promotion of family values. It is understood that family background, childhood, and adolescence that involved certain level of frustration, significantly influences future bio-psychological functioning of an individual. Nevertheless, the existence of healthy and dedicated family is in fact one of the key prerequisites of the existence of a healthy and developing society.