Member-only story
So I recently came across this story while arguing about the bible with my mother. She is religious and I’m an agnostic atheist (I don’t believe it’s possible to know with certainty if there is a god but my belief is there isn’t one based on the evidence or lack thereof.)
I had always heard this story as Solomon and the two mothers, and it was TIL (today I learned) experience. The King James version calls them harlots, other versions other words but the theme is the same. It is better in modern times to use the term sex worker, but pretty sure that wasn’t the term used in 600 BC and earlier.
I think the persecution of sex work by mostly religious people is misguided, how much more biblical can you get than Solomon, right? See also his 300 concubines. Maybe if our presidents had 300 concubines they would be too busy to start so many wars…also they might be wise like Solomon. Imagine the skill it takes to keep household relations peaceable with 700 wives and 300 concubines…but I digress.
I’m sure you’re familiar with the story although I hadn’t known little details like this is death by overlay of the mother, something I’d heard of but didn’t realize was cautioned against in the bible. (How about fundamentalists spend their energy providing cribs for all families?) Although there is evidence that Sudden Infant Death Syndrome is or was not…
