Tinseltownshame

Harvey Weinstein’s alleged implicit offer to his victims was wealth, fame and career advancement in exchange for acting and sexual favours.

I challenge those who argue that prostitution is just like any other type of employment to explain what is wrong with such a contract. If it is morally acceptable to exchange sex for money, to seek to recruit women into sex work, and to combine different types of work within a single contract, what’s the problem? The women that he is claimed to have preyed on would have become aware of the tacit deal he was offering. One could object that he was not open about the terms of employment until the women were isolated and under pressure, but surely that doesn’t capture the entirety of his alleged transgression.

The reason we are appalled is that we know that providing sexual services in exchange for material gain or career advancement is wrong. Our conscience screams that adding sexual services to an otherwise attractive contract is not a valid open market transaction, but exploitation. Giving sexually is too high a price to demand or to pay in exchange for goods less than committed faithful exclusive reciprocal loving relationship.

Through its output, Holywood preaches against this principle, routinely depicting sex as casual, inconsequential and cheap. While it thus erodes the moral system of societies world wide, the film industry reaps what it has sown within its own ranks.

RICHARD LUCAS Scottish Family Party Bath Street, Glasgow I had never heard of Harvey Weinstein. The indignation being expressed against him is surely tinged with much hypocrisy.

For the past century Hollywood has led the way in western decadence, breaking the boundaries of decency and personal behaviour. Anyone going there and getting involved must have known what it was like.

Its “stars” set examples shocking in their times. Mae West said: “I wrote the story myself. It’s about a girl who lost her reputation and never missed it.” She had six marriages. Zsa Zsa Gabor said: “How many husbands have I had? You mean apart from my own?” She had nine marriages. Elizabeth Taylor said: “I’ve only slept with men I’ve been married to. How many women can make that claim?” She had seven husbands and eight marriages.

The annual camouflage, the Oscar ceremony, shows the complicity of everyone in maintaining the conspiracy of silence all the while seeking respect and recognition for a corrupt way of life. (REV DR) ROBERT ANDERSON

Old Auchans View, Dundonald