Discuss....... is it morally worse for a man to sexually attack a nun than a prostitute?

Question

Would your reaction differ if you heard the two stories on the news? Be honest now?

Kimmie thanks for your honesty. I hate to say it but I think my reaction would differ for each story I heard.

Answer 1

I can only tell you that in law there is no difference whatsoever. The law does not and should not identify a difference between these two scenarios. Morals have no place in law.

On your logic it follows that we can do anything to people we regard as lacking in morality themselves and must respect unquestionably those whose oppinions accord with ours.

What then would be the position of a prostitute who had changed her ways and become a nun? or for that matter vice versa? Would there be a point at which it was acceptable to attack her.

Don't forget we are all humans FIRST. Do not categorise people by their profession. Respect the creature within, not the image you have of them....

Answer 2

It is wrong either way.

I feel that violating a woman by forcing her to have sex - no matter what her occupation - is horribly wrong. I would react the same way no matter what, and I think that should be the reaction of society. Unfortunately, I think that too many would look at the background of the woman. That is where the entire issue of "the victim being on trial" comes into play, and the reason that too many rapes go unreported. A woman is violated once during the crime, and a second time in the trial. By making it different to rape a nun and a prostitute, you are enforcing that way of thinking, and condoning any rape victim to have to defend their history when they were the victims of a horrible crime to begin with. History has nothing to do with the crime. And who's to say that the nun is totally honest, or the prostitute isn't doing what she is doing for some "noble" cause, like supporting the children she has as opposed to going on public assistance and forcing tax payers to pay for her support?

Background isn't the factor. If someone - anyone - says no, that is it. If it goes further, then it is a crime and should be punished. This should be the only baring factor - not the history or background of the woman that was victimized.

Answer 3

Hi, this is an interesting question! I have thought hard about this and have come to the conclusion that a sexual attack on a nun would be worse because of the likely effect on the victim. Sexual assault is a vile crime but I believe it is worse if the victim is a nun or a young virgin. To be violated in this way when you are sexually inexperienced would have a dramatic psychological effect on the victim. I doubt whether it would have quite such an effect on a sexually experienc\e prostitute who, by virtue of their profession know very well what some twisted men are capable of. This is not to say that I don't care if prostitutes are attacked.

Answer 4

I have not heard the news... but some would consider a sexual assault on a nun worse than on a prostitute because of each woman's job. Yes we all do judge others by their jobs but some of us try not to!

A nun is a holy guide to God and something like this would be seen as unforgivable - unless the nun herself forgives her attacker. A hooker would probably be more pissed off because she didn't get paid.

My opinion on anyone performing a sexual assault is in the wrong. No matter who the victim is, they got abused (psychically and mentally) which can be damaging. No-one deserves it unless perhaps if they were someone like Hitler.

Answer 5

It is equally bad but if this was a case that went to court on trial, the man that attacked the nun would probably getting a much harsher sentence than the one that attacked a prostitute (not that that sentence would be much better). The prostitute could have chose a profession that is less dangerous.

Answer 6

Morals are based upon one's conscience rather than rules or laws (see Cyrus M's answer). Therefore, by moral standards, both scenarios are equally wrong. If I heard both stories at the same time on the news, I would be angry and upset. But, frankly, I would be more upset about the prostitute. She would have no one's 'moral' support, and perhaps her case wouldn't be investigated as urgently as the nun's - if at all. My compassion leans slightly toward the underdog.

Answer 7

Morally, it matters not who you sexually assault..it's always wrong. The only relevance being a nun or prostitute has is whom you feel worse for. Prostitutes knowingly make the risk of being sexually assaulted everyday in doing their job. I'm not saying it's right or she deserves it, but one would definately feel alot worse for the nun whom has done nothing to be put in that situtation.

Answer 8

It's a trick question...of course it's equally wrong to force onself on another sexually, even one who works in the sex industry, however - because of the potential for violence in the sex industry as opposed to the expectation of moral civility with members of the clergy, the reaction to the news would be greater in the case of the nun because it might be considered more probable to expect it with the prostitute.

Answer 9

There should be no difference between a nun and a prostitute at all. It would be wrong for the man to attack anyone regardless of their profession.

Answer 10

That goes back to the antiquated notion that there are "good" girls and there are "bad" girls. It's along the same lines of saying that a man who visits a prostitute is not cheating on his wife.

Women are women and we must value them all equally. Unfortunately most women who work in the sex trades do so because they simply can't earn enough money in any other industry. And yet we choose vilify them because their occupation makes us uncomfortable.

Women are women regardless of what they do for a living. Assault is assault.