Christianity and Prostitution in the Middle Ages Twenty-first century Americans live with the hope of being a tolerant society. Modern American culture attempts to teach diversity and acceptance. However, there is uncertainty about issues associated with immoral behavior and sexuality. Many people are uncomfortable with the idea of ​​prostitution as a legal institution. Therefore, it remains illegal in all of the United States except a few counties in one state, Nevada. People have questioned the moral and legal issues of this career choice throughout much of written history, especially since the beginnings of Judeo-Christianity. Many modern views derive from the development of Christianity and its articulation in the Middle Ages. Throughout the Middle Ages, Christians, priests, scholars, and civil governments all sought to understand where and even whether prostitution fit into society. Prostitution during the Middle Ages was considered immoral by the church, but was tolerated "... to protect the respectable women of the city from seduction and even rape." [1] It was a legal institution in most of Europe during the Middle Ages and was obviously in great demand. Most attempts to abolish prostitution failed. Prostitutes were protected by law and were safer in brothels than on the streets. In brothels they were protected, but they were also regulated. Compared to the modern view of prostitution, in the Middle Ages people had a more rational view. By this I mean that the medieval period was more consistent when it came to a belief system that corresponded to actual practice. It is very clear that prostitution was seen as immoral and wrong but also necessary. It was because of this understanding of human nature that logic rather than morality... middle of paper...[24] Board for polls and comments, http://boards2.ivillage.com/message/get/rlsexualrevolution1.html.[25] Tone, Andrea, ed., Controlling Reproduction: An American History, United States: Scholarly Resources Inc., 1997. p. 185.[26] Ibid. P. 191.[27] Ibid.[28] Nevada State Law, NRS 201.295 Definitions. http://www.leg.state.nv.us/.[29] Meier and Geis. Crimes without victims: prostitution, drugs, homosexuality, abortion. P. 21.[30] Ibid. P. 28.[31] Ibid. pp. 29-30.[32] Ibid. P. 31.[33] Sarah McNaught. “Legalize Prostitution,” The Boston Phoenix. October 23-30, 1997. http://www.bostonpheonix.com/archive/features/97/10/23.[34] Prostitution in the United States: The Statistics, http://www.bayswan.org/stats/html.[35] Ibid.[36] McNaught. «Legalize prostitution».[37] Ibid.[38] Ibid.[39] www.sexualità.org/1/workers/nevada.html.[40] Ibid.