On Monday I sat in on a class up at UNR (University of Nevada at Reno). The topics for this class were pornography and prostitution. The speaker was a local sex worker in one of Nevada’s legal brothels. The class was composed of students who spoke in very positive ways about prostitution and stripping and just overall sex. I was heartbroken at the deceitfulness of the world and how they look for pleasure in the name of “freedom” to do whatever you want to whomever you want, whenever you like.
Often times when I speak to groups of people I share with them research that was conducted in UNR. This research investigated the impact of Nevada legal prostitution on the attitudes and behaviors of college-aged men towards women. In these findings the Reno students significantly more often endorsed beliefs that prostitution is normal and they felt it would be appropriate for their sons to go to prostitutes and brothels and that it would be acceptable if their daughters grew up to be a prostitute. The students in this class and their attitude around prostitution and pornography showed me the living example of the how true this research is. The legalization of prostitution in Nevada has led to a corruption of thinking that is beyond the repair of human hands.
I heard it stated in a mocking way that people actually believe that abstinence talks are still going to work. They spoke about how pornography is becoming the new way of sex education for kids in schools. Porn was completely normalized in conversations.
An hour later the guest speaker arrived and shared her experiences of being a sex worker for over 20 years. She glamorized her life and experiences while the students sat amazed asking as many positive scenario questions as they could. What the students likely didn’t pick up on was how she also commented on needing to know self-defense, have a panic button, protection, constantly checking for STD’s, tips on safety that she and the other girls discuss, how quickly she can dissociate, etc.
And what I am certain they didn’t hear was what she told me after the class when I walked her to her car. What they didn’t hear in class was her real name. Julie. They didn’t hear that Julie at age 8 (now 48) was molested as a kid. They didn’t hear that after a 15 year abusive marriage Julie realized her husband was also her pimp. They didn’t hear how much therapy she has gone through or about her battles with drug addiction. They only heard what Julie wants to believe herself just to get through the day…. deceit.
I will be speaking to this same class next week. I ask for your prayers that as we bring Truth to them their hearts will be open to hear it.
Melissa
Please take some time to pray for this young lady as she represents Jesus to her university.
For the original post, go to: http://awakenreno.org/a-letter-from-melissa-holland/
BE HOLY.
BE A MAN.
Often times when I speak to groups of people I share with them research that was conducted in UNR. This research investigated the impact of Nevada legal prostitution on the attitudes and behaviors of college-aged men towards women. In these findings the Reno students significantly more often endorsed beliefs that prostitution is normal and they felt it would be appropriate for their sons to go to prostitutes and brothels and that it would be acceptable if their daughters grew up to be a prostitute. The students in this class and their attitude around prostitution and pornography showed me the living example of the how true this research is. The legalization of prostitution in Nevada has led to a corruption of thinking that is beyond the repair of human hands.
I heard it stated in a mocking way that people actually believe that abstinence talks are still going to work. They spoke about how pornography is becoming the new way of sex education for kids in schools. Porn was completely normalized in conversations.
An hour later the guest speaker arrived and shared her experiences of being a sex worker for over 20 years. She glamorized her life and experiences while the students sat amazed asking as many positive scenario questions as they could. What the students likely didn’t pick up on was how she also commented on needing to know self-defense, have a panic button, protection, constantly checking for STD’s, tips on safety that she and the other girls discuss, how quickly she can dissociate, etc.
And what I am certain they didn’t hear was what she told me after the class when I walked her to her car. What they didn’t hear in class was her real name. Julie. They didn’t hear that Julie at age 8 (now 48) was molested as a kid. They didn’t hear that after a 15 year abusive marriage Julie realized her husband was also her pimp. They didn’t hear how much therapy she has gone through or about her battles with drug addiction. They only heard what Julie wants to believe herself just to get through the day…. deceit.
I will be speaking to this same class next week. I ask for your prayers that as we bring Truth to them their hearts will be open to hear it.
Melissa
Please take some time to pray for this young lady as she represents Jesus to her university.
For the original post, go to: http://awakenreno.org/a-letter-from-melissa-holland/
BE HOLY.
BE A MAN.
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