Pedophilia: A Disorder, Not a Crime (NYTimes)

by NewYork44M 73 Replies latest watchtower child-abuse

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  GrreatTeacher

  I think there's an assumption by some that saying something is inborn automatically means that it's okay. This is not being said at all.

  Here are some inborn tendencies. Is acting on them okay? Some yes, some no. It's the nature of acting on it that determines whether or not it is okay.

  Lefthandedness, acting upon it is okay

  Righthandedness, acting upon it is okay

  Heterosexuality, okay

  Homosexuality, okay

  Pedophilia, not okay to act upon

  Quick temper/ murderous rage, not okay to act upon

  Psychopathy/ lack of empathy, not okay to hurt others

  Why are people getting so upset about trying to discover the origins (and thus prognosis) of these conditions? It's the behavior that should be judged and understanding the origins can help find ways to prevent negative behaviors.
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  Razziel

  Cognition: Society should not discriminate or condemn someone based on the attributes a person was born with. People are born with a certain sexual orientation.

  Behavior: I detest and condemn people who are sexually aroused by children.

  Dissonance reduction:

  Change my cognition to "Society should not discriminate or condemn someone based on the attributes a person was born with so long as they do not hurt other people".

  Justify my congition by adding a new one that "Society should offer support and remedial therapy for those born with certain attributes that society deems unacceptable".

  Change my behavior to "I detest and condemn people who act on their sexual arousal by children."
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  GrreatTeacher

  Razziel, we posted at the same time. Please see my post regarding the false assumption that some have that we are saying that because someone was born with an attribute, it automatically means it is okay to act upon it. That is NOT being asserted.
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  Razziel

  No it's not being asserted by anyone.
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  flipper

  PROLOGOS- The strengths of sexual desire in normal human feelings and emotions of teenagers towards one another are a lot different than the " strengths of sexual desire " within pedophiles which is primarily based not on " sexual desire " at all - but based on power and control of their potential child victims . Even IF pedophiles do not act on those desires , the possibility that circumstances may arise for them TO act on those desires may arise. If given the circumstances or opportunity pedophiles WILL and HAVE assaulted children in a sexually offensive way. Just look at the JW religion. They've got so many child abuse cases going- their head is spinning ! And those are NOT normal desires to be lusting after minor children in a sexual way. Believe me- most if not all cases of pedophilia deserve responses like I am giving. It's a criminal desire that is waiting for a criminal opportunity just as murder is the same
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  flipper

  DOGONE- So you are saying it's not a crime to lust sexually after a 5 year old boy or girl ? Pretty skewed view I'd say
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  flipper

  DJS- I've read the opening post and I've READ the article being referred to. I just disagree with YOUR premise or views. Your statement, " Pedophiles are sexually attracted to pre-pubescent children in the SAME manner that I'M attracted to fully formed females . " Really ? WTF ? So you are saying that you enjoy dominating or controlling your fully formed females or that it's a power game for you in a relationship with females ? Because THAT is the way that pedophiles and sexual predators towards minors LOOK at those possibilities with child victims. Get this straight- it's NOT just sex, it's the power and control pedophiles exercise over children that gets them off- not just sex.

  If I'm wrong then answer me this : If a pedophile was looking at child porn or gawking at a child in the child's presence - would that same pedophile STOP doing that if told BY THE CHILD that he was making the child uncomfortable with the lurid looks and behavior ? I doubt it. As I stated before comparing pedophilia to normal heterosexual or normal homosexual activity is comparing apples with oranges. There is NOTHING normal about pedophilia, it is a sickness and criminal mentality
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  Apognophos

  I'm curious about your assertion that pedophilia is about power, flipper. Do you have any citations for that? To me, it just seems that the pedophile is using his authority as an adult in order to victimize children -- that it's a means, not a motive.
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  flipper

  APOGNOPHOS- I do not see what you don't understand. You answered my assertion with your statement, " To me, it just seems that the pedophile IS USING HIS AUTHORITY as an adult in order to VICTIMIZE children . " You are essentially saying the same thing that I'm saying. It's the same thing I am saying about the adult pedophile is using his authority in an abusive and controlling manner - thus abusing power that he or she may have over minor children. Seems pretty clear to me. Which is not considered acceptable in our society and is considered criminal behavior. I'm sure there are plenty of citations to research on the Internet backing this up if you care to look
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  Apognophos

  You wrote:

  The strengths of sexual desire in normal human feelings and emotions of teenagers towards one another are a lot different than the " strengths of sexual desire " within pedophiles which is primarily based not on " sexual desire " at all - but based on power and control of their potential child victims.

  You're asserting that the motive is power, not sex? I am skeptical of that, but I am open to reading something that backs it up. It seems that this is a pretty crucial difference in our viewpoint of pedophiles. That being said, even if you are right, I don't think you really understand what others are saying on this thread. The fact that you keep asserting that this is criminal behavior indicates to me that you think someone else is saying it's not.