Pedophiles

[Dracil]

That depends. Pederasty is between males.

Did you mean Ephebophilia instead?

 

[TeddyKGB]

Thats pedastry, thats different.

Not according to the law in most states.

 

[flicka]

I think many people get confused when discussing pedophilia and things like age of consent/statutory rape. One is not equal to the other. Pedophilia is being sexually attracted to someone who has no yet gone through puberty. Being attracted to a mature looking 14 year old is not the same thing at all. There are different sets of laws and different issues at stake.

 

[reverend B]

but back to the original post. does any of this discussion have the least little bit to do with homosexuality? the op is a sophmoric attempt to draw some kind of parallel between being gay and being a pedophile. is anyone else appalled by this? does anyone else think they should be judged by the same criteria?

 

[fillerbunny]

but back to the original post. does any of this discussion have the least little bit to do with homosexuality?

No.

the op is a sophmoric attempt to draw some kind of parallel between being gay and being a pedophile. is anyone else appalled by this?

Absolutely. Unfortunately, it seems like it's virtually impossible to have a discussion relating to homosexuality on this board without somebody attempting to play the "P" card.

does anyone else think they should be judged by the same criteria?

No. Homosexuality, when acted upon, results in relations between consenting adults. Pedophilia, when acted upon, results in the sexual abuse of children. Besides, the last time I checked, pedophilia was considered a paraphilia, not an orientation.

 

[Spinrad]

I think the reason we all moved on is BECAUSE it was so absurd.

 

[knightlight72]

Is the comparison about levels of sin? If I remember correctly, no sins can be in God's presence.

So whether it "hurts someone" or not in a person's opinion, sin hurts God. God doesn't want us to sin, even if people feel the sin is between consenting adults, or not.

 

[Spinrad]

Actually the OP was about exactly not that.

 

[faster_jackrabbit]

Absolutely. Unfortunately, it seems like it's virtually impossible to have a discussion relating to homosexuality on this board without somebody attempting to play the "P" card.

In a similar fashion, whenever porn is discussed, someone always drags kiddy porn into it. There is no relation between regular porn and kiddy porn either. You can't buy it in porn stores. Any internet search would find police sting sites rather than actual kiddy porn sites. Even if I was so inclined, I wouldn't have a clue on how to get my hands on kiddy porn.

As with the homosexuality, critics of porn bring children into it to inflame everyone.

 

[faster_jackrabbit]

So whether it "hurts someone" or not in a person's opinion, sin hurts God.

Then why did he create sin?

This is hilarious to me, the idea that my actions could "hurt" a universe-creatin' god.

 

[faster_jackrabbit]

So whether it "hurts someone" or not in a person's opinion, sin hurts God. God doesn't want us to sin, even if people feel the sin is between consenting adults, or not.

If it doesn't hurt anyone, why did he make it a sin in the first place? What problem was being solved?

 

[Yusuf Evans]

Your intent is not to bring an end to pedophilia, but to demonize a group of people you detest and think are weaker than you... or in other words, cause violent, destructive and traumatizing harm by using God to justify your actions.

Now, that is a clear connection.

How far off you are concerning me. I merely presented the question as a hypothetical one, not factual. I am here for opinions not flame wars. The mere fact that YOU would presume I am demonizing a group of individuals is baseless and factless. Present your evidence if I am picking on people.

True, I'm a conservative Christian and a Marine. However, my personal beliefs about the acts of others are my own and I don't press them upon others, or at least I make a conscious effort not to. You sport a donkey as your political icon, but your response speaks more of a fanatic without an open mind and not wanting to see where an individual is coming from.

 

[knightlight72]

If it doesn't hurt anyone, why did he make it a sin in the first place? What problem was being solved?

Why did God make homosexuality sin? I suppose because he had intended something else for us.
As sited by Genesis 2:24 For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh.

God wants us sinless, because He wants what is best for us.

1 thessalonians 4:3 God wants you to be holy, so you should keep clear of all sexual sin.

 

[faster_jackrabbit]

Why did God make homosexuality sin? I suppose because he had intended something else for us.
As sited by Genesis 2:24 For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh.

This is just what a book claims he wants. The question is: why does it have to be that way?

God wants us sinless, because He wants what is best for us.

1 thessalonians 4:3 God wants you to be holy, so you should keep clear of all sexual sin.

But he was the one who made it a sin. It's only harmful because he says it is.

The words "sin" and "holy" are meaningless to me.

This is a level of indirection. Why is it a sin? What is the actual harm?

 

[sparklecat]

The issue of consent is very important.

Can a child give consent to someone twice their age(or older)?

Can a child identify and overcome the manipulation of an adult?

Would the child's consent be authentic or would it be gained through manipulation/coersion?

Age of consent laws help assure a child has the cognitive ablility to give genunine consent.

http://www.cssm.ca/sk/Staff/Forms/CYP_App-SK06-05.pdf

Well, I certainly would say that before puberty, the vast majority of people are not capable of giving informed consent and understanding the issues; however, it becomes a little more difficult once you are sexually mature. People can be manipulated at any age; how much older the partner is than they are isn't really something I'd see as an issue. Before we are considered legal adults and have the type of exposure to society you won't likely get at 14 or so, our naivete will be greater and leave us more open to manipulation, sure. But I think our society makes a bigger deal out of sex in many cases than we should. So long as we are mature enough to protect ourselves against pregnancy and STDs, and take responsibility for doing so, experimenting with others, whether our own age or older, can be a positive experience and good for teaching us about sex.


I would have been happy to hook up with someone older and more experienced at 14, and consider I was capable of informed consent at that age. I won't say I was a typical 14 year old, but I believe it's just a question of educating people and ensuring they have people they can talk to about these issues so they can make informed decisions and get help if someone is harassing them.

 

[knightlight72]

This is just what a book claims he wants. The question is: why does it have to be that way?

Just as scripture says, God wants us to be Holy, and pure.

1 thessalonians 4:3 God wants you to be holy, so you should keep clear of all sexual sin.

But he was the one who made it a sin. It's only harmful because he says it is.

Does something that is true become false if one says otherwise? Something is bad, even if someone tells you or not. Abortion is wrong, even if it legal.

The words "sin" and "holy" are meaningless to me.

This is a level of indirection. Why is it a sin? What is the actual harm?

I have to admit it might be nice to havea "selective" dictionary, as sometimes I think I'd like to say "what does abortion mean, as it is meaningless to me."

Respectfully, I have used scripture to back my point.

 

[faster_jackrabbit]

I have to admit it might be nice to havea "selective" dictionary, as sometimes I think I'd like to say "what does abortion mean, as it is meaningless to me."

Nobody was talking about abortion, but about "sexual sin".

Respectfully, I have used scripture to back my point.

I'm not interested in what scripture says, or what is "holy" or what is not. I'm not interested in the dream world. Here in the real world, what harm is caused by sexual "sins"? In particular, what harm is caused by homosexuality?

 

[Dracil]

I would have been happy to hook up with someone older and more experienced at 14, and consider I was capable of informed consent at that age. I won't say I was a typical 14 year old, but I believe it's just a question of educating people and ensuring they have people they can talk to about these issues so they can make informed decisions and get help if someone is harassing them.

Just had a random thought, perhaps sex ed. should be a prerequisite to giving consent? Yeah, those conservatives are gonna hate the idea, but it's pretty important in helping one make the decision to have sex.

 

[faster_jackrabbit]

Just had a random thought, perhaps sex ed. should be a prerequisite to giving consent? Yeah, those conservatives are gonna hate the idea, but it's pretty important in helping one make the decision to have sex.

Better yet, make sex ed the sole criteria for consent and do away with the laws that base it on age.

 

[sparklecat]

That could get tricky. I'm all in favor of mandatory sex ed classes that are actually informative and not censored, but I think there should be some discussion of such for all ages, including ones where the children would be way too young to actually go out and start practising. But having sex ed built into the system so that anyone who reaches sexual maturity can have a fair understanding of the issues and what resources are available to them could be a very good thing.