Memphis City Council member Shea Flinn wants the the city to study the idea of creating an ‘adult entertainment district’ for strip clubs and other sex-oriented businesses. He wants a committee to look into a possible location as well as answer the question whether “this is the right thing to do.”

Is it the right thing to do? Why or why not?

I suppose a religious forum such as this expects me to voice an opinion on this issue that is rooted in some element of theology or scriptural doctrine. I don’t have such an opinion. Anyway, in a country that was built to prevent the imposition of parochial religious values on the populace, I’m not sure such opinions offer practical, constitutional solutions. Mostly, I’m curious as to how we’ve come to use the term “adult entertainment” as a euphemism for our least mature activity. Rather than an “adult entertainment district,” perhaps the city council should study the idea of a “not-really-adult entertainment district.”

Before I become altogether too flip about this subject, I don’t see a problem in considering the possibility of such a district. I would expect such a consideration to begin with a couple basic questions: What problems would this special district solve? What new problems would this special district create? If it can be demonstrated, for instance, that there is a problem with crime—especially violent crime—in the areas of businesses that specialize in so-called “adult entertainment,” I expect the proponents of a special “adult entertainment district” would be able to show how such a district would solve the crime problem.

In looking for the “right” thing to do, we might try to think beyond the inclination to identify the “right” with personal biases, and look for constitutional ways to ensure that we can all live side-by-side.