Normalizing Pedophilia

 

After studying the trend toward corrupting our children with transgender propaganda, I didn’t think there was a way to intensify my outrage about the distortions of gender and sexuality in this country.

I was wrong.

We have a queer (his own label) human being, Allyn Walker, who is an assistant professor at Old Dominion University, who has decided to reduce the incriminations against people who “like children,” but have shown restraint in their own behavior. He is proposing that pedophiles not be labeled so negatively, and that the term, “minor attracting persons” (MAPS) be used instead:

Walker is the author of the book ‘A Long, Dark Shadow: Minor Attracted People and Their Pursuit of Dignity,’ which challenges ‘widespread assumptions that persons who are preferentially attracted to minors—often referred to as ‘pedophiles’—are necessarily also predators and sex offenders, this book takes readers into the lives of non-offending minor-attracted persons (MAPs).’

I find this effort unconscionable. And yet in these days where every norm is subject to distortions, condemnation, and irreverence, we shouldn’t be surprised. Our world of right and wrong, good and bad, moral and immoral has been turned upside down, and too many people now believe that any people who are “oppressed” are entitled to special treatment.

But they are not.

Spencer Lindquist who wrote the linked article in the Federalist made this powerful point:

Yet again we witness an instance of the left siding with the oppressor while pretending to advocate for the victim, this time under the guise of academic inquiry. One has to wonder if Walker has ever considered that our sympathies should lie not with pedophiles who don’t appreciate being called what they are but instead with their victims. Walker’s book intends to help pedophiles pursue dignity. How does a child robbed of his or her innocence pursue his or her sense of dignity?

The magnitude of the problem is not well understood. In addition, the long-term effects on children are staggering. And then there are the international organizations that have been openly supporting child sexual abuse.

There has been a petition posted, protesting this professor’s actions and calling for him to be fired. Given the times, I’m not hopeful for dismissal; to date, 1,500 people have signed.

Old Dominion University released the following statement regarding Walker:

An academic community plays a valuable role in the quest for knowledge. A vital part of this is being willing to consider scientific and other empirical data that may involve controversial issues and perspectives. Following a recent interview that gained national attention, Dr. Allyn Walker has released the following statement.

‘I want to be clear: child sexual abuse is an inexcusable crime. As an assistant professor of sociology and criminal justice, the goal of my research is to prevent crime. My work is informed by my past experience and advocacy as a social worker counseling victims. I embarked on this research in hopes of gaining understanding of a group that, previously, has not been studied in order to identify ways to protect children.’

Following recent social media activity and direct outreach to the institution, it is important to share that Old Dominion, as a caring and inclusive community, does not endorse or promote crimes against children or any form of criminal activity.

I expect that everyone will be reassured by the ODU statement.

The ongoing efforts to ruin the lives of our children are exhausting, and I see no end in sight. The effort to normalize pedophilia in any way is repugnant. We can only hope that someday, some time, wisdom prevails.

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  1. Flicker Coolidge
    Flicker
    @Flicker

    Stina (View Comment):

    Hoyacon (View Comment):
    Apology for being glum, but is there any doubt that, at the very least, the “minimum age” for what is considered pedophilia in society will be “lowered”? The only question is how low.

    My hard limit is 16. I’d prefer 17. But I’m more persuadable if we are ok with them having sex in their own age group – because I don’t see a difference there at all.

    Which is why I question our permissive attitudes to uncommitted teen sex.

    A philosopher Starcicus wrote:

    You’re all ribbons and curls, ooh, what a girl,
    Eyes that sparkle and shine.
    You’re sixteen, you’re beautiful and you’re mine.
    (mine, all mine, mine, mine)

    I never understood why this was allowed to go number one.

    Joel Pollak: “You know, in 1973, Ringo Starr hit Number 1 on the Billboard charts with the song ‘You’re Sixteen, You’re Beautiful and You’re Mine’ and it was a remake of an earlier song. He was 30-something at the time, singing about a 16-year-old. You want to take away Ringo Starr’s achievement?”

    • #151
  2. kedavis Coolidge
    kedavis
    @kedavis

    BDB (View Comment):

    kedavis (View Comment):
    I’m still baffled by why that should be at least informally “acceptable” yet if those same girls/young women had children with men who were older and able to support them and the children, suddenly it’s time for the pearl-clutching and the fainting couches.

    This is in recognition of the predation aspect of grown men scooping up naive girls. I find the distinction right and good.

    That wouldn’t be so obviously… something… if there were some kind… almost any kind, really…  of sanction on the teenage boys maybe PLUS the teenage girls, for… spurious reproduction?  Instead the teenage fathers tend to be admired by their peers, as are the teenage mothers too plus they likely get free housing and other subsidies.  In the end it’s the children they produce who suffer the most, and eventually they tend to bring that suffering into society when they get older.

    Put another way, if it’s wrong for teenage girls/young women to be having children with men who ARE capable of supporting them, then it’s DAMNED SURE wrong for them to be doing it with teenage boys who AREN’T.

    • #152
  3. Henry Racette Member
    Henry Racette
    @HenryRacette

    Stina (View Comment):

    Henry Racette (View Comment):
    Again, our values may differ. I’m pretty strongly in the leave-people-alone camp when it comes to sex and relationships.

    I don’t really care what is moral according to Henry Racette. The only one who worships at that altar is you.

    That seems a bit intemperate, Stina. You and I differ about some matters of values; let’s leave it at that.

    • #153
  4. Western Chauvinist Member
    Western Chauvinist
    @WesternChauvinist

    Henry Racette (View Comment):

    Stina (View Comment):

    Henry Racette (View Comment):
    Again, our values may differ. I’m pretty strongly in the leave-people-alone camp when it comes to sex and relationships.

    I don’t really care what is moral according to Henry Racette. The only one who worships at that altar is you.

    That seems a bit intemperate, Stina. You and I differ about some matters of values; let’s leave it at that.

    Yes, but the moral laxity of “leave-people-alone” is one of the ways we’ve gotten to the point of normalizing pedophilia. Seriously. You can’t see that?

    • #154
  5. Zafar Member
    Zafar
    @Zafar

    Western Chauvinist (View Comment):

    Henry Racette (View Comment):

    Stina (View Comment):

    Henry Racette (View Comment):
    Again, our values may differ. I’m pretty strongly in the leave-people-alone camp when it comes to sex and relationships.

    I don’t really care what is moral according to Henry Racette. The only one who worships at that altar is you.

    That seems a bit intemperate, Stina. You and I differ about some matters of values; let’s leave it at that.

    Yes, but the moral laxity of “leave-people-alone” is one of the ways we’ve gotten to the point of normalizing pedophilia. Seriously. You can’t see that?

    One moment you stop burning witches, because mean, and the next your children show an interest in Buddhism.  Hold the line!

    • #155
  6. Susan Quinn Contributor
    Susan Quinn
    @SusanQuinn

    Western Chauvinist (View Comment):

    Henry Racette (View Comment):

    Stina (View Comment):

    Henry Racette (View Comment):
    Again, our values may differ. I’m pretty strongly in the leave-people-alone camp when it comes to sex and relationships.

    I don’t really care what is moral according to Henry Racette. The only one who worships at that altar is you.

    That seems a bit intemperate, Stina. You and I differ about some matters of values; let’s leave it at that.

    Yes, but the moral laxity of “leave-people-alone” is one of the ways we’ve gotten to the point of normalizing pedophilia. Seriously. You can’t see that?

    It’s still not her business and it’s insulting the way she addressed it. If she wants him to hear her point, she should speak in a way she can be heard.

    • #156
  7. Stina Inactive
    Stina
    @CM

    Zafar (View Comment):

    Western Chauvinist (View Comment):

    Henry Racette (View Comment):

    Stina (View Comment):

    Henry Racette (View Comment):
    Again, our values may differ. I’m pretty strongly in the leave-people-alone camp when it comes to sex and relationships.

    I don’t really care what is moral according to Henry Racette. The only one who worships at that altar is you.

    That seems a bit intemperate, Stina. You and I differ about some matters of values; let’s leave it at that.

    Yes, but the moral laxity of “leave-people-alone” is one of the ways we’ve gotten to the point of normalizing pedophilia. Seriously. You can’t see that?

    One moment you stop burning witches, because mean, and the next your children show an interest in Buddhism. Hold the line!

    Clearly, that’s not what’s going on here and I don’t understand what point you are trying to make with the satire.

    • #157
  8. Henry Racette Member
    Henry Racette
    @HenryRacette

    Western Chauvinist (View Comment):

    Henry Racette (View Comment):

    Stina (View Comment):

    Henry Racette (View Comment):
    Again, our values may differ. I’m pretty strongly in the leave-people-alone camp when it comes to sex and relationships.

    I don’t really care what is moral according to Henry Racette. The only one who worships at that altar is you.

    That seems a bit intemperate, Stina. You and I differ about some matters of values; let’s leave it at that.

    Yes, but the moral laxity of “leave-people-alone” is one of the ways we’ve gotten to the point of normalizing pedophilia. Seriously. You can’t see that?

    No, I can see that. But, like it or not, leaving people alone is an important part of what I love about America. We aren’t a country that has historically spent a lot of time controlling the private behavior of individuals in order to further one particular set of values over another. We put a lot of value on individual liberty. I like it that way, even if I don’t always like the consequences.

    • #158
  9. Stina Inactive
    Stina
    @CM

    Susan Quinn (View Comment):

    Western Chauvinist (View Comment):

    Henry Racette (View Comment):

    Stina (View Comment):

    Henry Racette (View Comment):
    Again, our values may differ. I’m pretty strongly in the leave-people-alone camp when it comes to sex and relationships.

    I don’t really care what is moral according to Henry Racette. The only one who worships at that altar is you.

    That seems a bit intemperate, Stina. You and I differ about some matters of values; let’s leave it at that.

    Yes, but the moral laxity of “leave-people-alone” is one of the ways we’ve gotten to the point of normalizing pedophilia. Seriously. You can’t see that?

    It’s still not her business and it’s insulting the way she addressed it. If she wants him to hear her point, she should speak in a way she can be heard.

    I have spoken in a way that’s heard even if this isn’t one of them. The thing that is the point is that most of us are reaching outside ourselves to define what is right and wrong in an objective way, typically defined by our respective faiths. Henry keeps reaching into himself to define right and wrong and thinks that should mean something to us. Sure, he’s polite about it, but he is just as intractable as the religious people are. I can at least point to what defines my sense of right and wrong and it’s something that’s been quite stable over a very long time. He has no such stability.

    • #159
  10. Western Chauvinist Member
    Western Chauvinist
    @WesternChauvinist

    Zafar (View Comment):

    Western Chauvinist (View Comment):

    Henry Racette (View Comment):

    Stina (View Comment):

    Henry Racette (View Comment):
    Again, our values may differ. I’m pretty strongly in the leave-people-alone camp when it comes to sex and relationships.

    I don’t really care what is moral according to Henry Racette. The only one who worships at that altar is you.

    That seems a bit intemperate, Stina. You and I differ about some matters of values; let’s leave it at that.

    Yes, but the moral laxity of “leave-people-alone” is one of the ways we’ve gotten to the point of normalizing pedophilia. Seriously. You can’t see that?

    One moment you stop burning witches, because mean, and the next your children show an interest in Buddhism. Hold the line!

    I should clarify, I don’t mean we should be busting down the doors of homosexual couples. But, we should be able to speak honestly about the costs associated with normalizing homosexuality — both to the practitioners and to society at large. And we certainly shouldn’t be legitimating homosexual behavior with SSM and adoption (all children deserve a mother and a father). 

    And, yes, I would be appalled if my children wanted to be Buddhist. They’ve been shown a God who loves them enough to suffer and die for them. Christianity is radical love and its demands are great because the graces are unfathomable and undeserved. “Take up your cross and follow” means practicing chastity even if you’re inclined to homosexuality. It means practicing chastity (rightly ordered relations) even within (real, traditional) marriage. 

    • #160
  11. kedavis Coolidge
    kedavis
    @kedavis

    Henry Racette (View Comment):

    Western Chauvinist (View Comment):

    Henry Racette (View Comment):

    Stina (View Comment):

    Henry Racette (View Comment):
    Again, our values may differ. I’m pretty strongly in the leave-people-alone camp when it comes to sex and relationships.

    I don’t really care what is moral according to Henry Racette. The only one who worships at that altar is you.

    That seems a bit intemperate, Stina. You and I differ about some matters of values; let’s leave it at that.

    Yes, but the moral laxity of “leave-people-alone” is one of the ways we’ve gotten to the point of normalizing pedophilia. Seriously. You can’t see that?

    No, I can see that. But, like it or not, leaving people alone is an important part of what I love about America. We aren’t a country that has historically spent a lot of time controlling the private behavior of individuals in order to further one particular set of values over another. We put a lot of value on individual liberty. I like it that way, even if I don’t always like the consequences.

    But if what you value – i.e., your values – has consequences you don’t like that lead eventually to the destruction of the society you claim to want, doesn’t that suggest that your values need adjusting?  After all, despite their claims to value “sustainability,” it seems to be more the Left that advances “this is what we think is right, no matter how destructive it is.” 

    (“It doesn’t matter what happens to society because of what I believe, because I’ll be long gone before it gets REALLY bad” sounds like the Left too.)

    “After me, the deluge.”

    • #161
  12. Zafar Member
    Zafar
    @Zafar

    Western Chauvinist (View Comment):

    I should clarify, I don’t mean we should be busting down the doors of homosexual couples.

    Me neither, but I am completely okay with busting down the doors of pedophiles if we think there’s pederasty underway.  Ditto with other child molesters.  I think you would be too.

    The salient difference, imho, is the ability to give informed consent is by default missing when it comes to children having sex.

    But, we should be able to speak honestly about the costs associated with normalizing homosexuality — both to the practitioners and to society at large.

    Sure, but you should expect pushback and you need to be armed with facts in addition to opinions. (Editorial you.)

    And, yes, I would be appalled if my children wanted to be Buddhist.

    Didn’t going easy on witches start society on the path to current day moral decadence and relativity?

     

     

     

    • #162
  13. Western Chauvinist Member
    Western Chauvinist
    @WesternChauvinist

    Zafar (View Comment):
    Didn’t going easy on witches start society on the path to current day moral decadence and relativity?

    Akshully, from my perspective, the decline of the West (Christendom) started about 500 years ago, when the authority of the First Church of Christ was undermined. YMMV.

    • #163
  14. Stina Inactive
    Stina
    @CM

    Zafar (View Comment):
    The salient difference, imho, is the ability to give informed consent is by default missing when it comes to children having sex

    For now. And if we want to keep it that way, we must be wary and resistant to all efforts that move massive decisions ever lower – including abortion, voting, and gender reassignment.

    Will you hold those lines?

    About 10 years ago, there was a radical leftist child development major who claimed you could teach infants to consent by asking them if they wanted their diaper changed and waiting for smiles to change it. It might sound innocent and reasonable in a bizarre and quirky way, but if it softens us on believing children can’t consent then it moves us one step closer to this.

    • #164
  15. Zafar Member
    Zafar
    @Zafar

    Stina (View Comment):

    Will you hold those lines?

    Sure. I’m all about informed consent being the determining factor in people’s private lives and the laws which affect them.

     

    • #165
  16. Zafar Member
    Zafar
    @Zafar

    Western Chauvinist (View Comment):

    Zafar (View Comment):
    Didn’t going easy on witches start society on the path to current day moral decadence and relativity?

    Akshully, from my perspective, the decline of the West (Christendom) started about 500 years ago, when the authority of the First Church of Christ was undermined. YMMV.

    You softy. 

    • #166
  17. Susan Quinn Contributor
    Susan Quinn
    @SusanQuinn

    As a Jew, I don’t believe that everyone should adopt my religion. In fact, I believe that people like Hank are sufficiently principled that believing in a religion won’t necessarily make him a better man. I think he would benefit from a belief in G-d, but that he doesn’t pursue it doesn’t bother me. His values are close enough to mine that I feel we share a lot in that area. There are many people who claim they are Jewish or Christian who are not principled, but rather are hateful and bigoted. So religion doesn’t guarantee that a person will be good.

    I think our society has lost a great deal by turning into a secular society, but that’s not the only problem. It is the disdain and hatefulness, the unprincipled judgment of others, that is the worst part of that lifestyle. I think, Stina, that you unfairly characterize Hank as self-centered, as a man who thinks he is his own god. From everything I’ve read from him on this site, that is far from a fair description of him. Not everyone has to be religious. Not everyone has to be a Christian or a Jew. And I think, especially in America, we have room for all kinds of people, especially if they are self-reflective, kind and thoughtful.

    One last thought. I accept that some people are homosexual. I must say honestly that their choice makes me uncomfortable, and it doesn’t go along with Jewish beliefs. But I also believe that if they are good people otherwise, and since they are created in the image of G-d, I want to treat them politely, and I believe they have free will to make whatever choices they do.

    • #167
  18. Vince Guerra Inactive
    Vince Guerra
    @VinceGuerra

    Henry Racette (View Comment):

    Western Chauvinist (View Comment):

    Henry Racette (View Comment):

    Stina (View Comment):

    Henry Racette (View Comment):
    Again, our values may differ. I’m pretty strongly in the leave-people-alone camp when it comes to sex and relationships.

    I don’t really care what is moral according to Henry Racette. The only one who worships at that altar is you.

    That seems a bit intemperate, Stina. You and I differ about some matters of values; let’s leave it at that.

    Yes, but the moral laxity of “leave-people-alone” is one of the ways we’ve gotten to the point of normalizing pedophilia. Seriously. You can’t see that?

    No, I can see that. But, like it or not, leaving people alone is an important part of what I love about America. We aren’t a country that has historically spent a lot of time controlling the private behavior of individuals in order to further one particular set of values over another. We put a lot of value on individual liberty. I like it that way, even if I don’t always like the consequences.

    Susan’s post has nothing to do with controlling the private lives of others, or even their disturbed, though consensual, actions with other adults. It’s about protecting children from sexual predators and from the normalization of the sick infatuations they possess. Anyone who tries to argue away the fact that sexual relationships between adults and children is anything other than criminal has lost their moral compass, or never had one to begin with. 

    • #168
  19. Western Chauvinist Member
    Western Chauvinist
    @WesternChauvinist

    Susan Quinn (View Comment):

    As a Jew, I don’t believe that everyone should adopt my religion. In fact, I believe that people like Hank are sufficiently principled that believing in a religion won’t necessarily make him a better man. I think he would benefit from a belief in G-d, but that he doesn’t pursue it doesn’t bother me. His values are close enough to mine that I feel we share a lot in that area. There are many people who claim they are Jewish or Christian who are not principled, but rather are hateful and bigoted. So religion doesn’t guarantee that a person will be good.

    I think our society has lost a great deal by turning into a secular society, but that’s not the only problem. It is the disdain and hatefulness, the unprincipled judgment of others, that is the worst part of that lifestyle. I think, Stina, that you unfairly characterize Hank as self-centered, as a man who thinks he is his own god. From everything I’ve read from him on this site, that is far from a fair description of him. Not everyone has to be religious. Not everyone has to be a Christian or a Jew. And I think, especially in America, we have room for all kinds of people, especially if they are self-reflective, kind and thoughtful.

    One last thought. I accept that some people are homosexual. I must say honestly that their choice makes me uncomfortable, and it doesn’t go along with Jewish beliefs. But I also believe that if they are good people otherwise, and since they are created in the image of G-d, I want to treat them politely, and I believe they have free will to make whatever choices they do.

    It’s not really about whether Henry is a good person or not. It’s about having a more homogeneous agreement on the source of moral authority that can unite a society around some kind of wisdom tradition, whether Jewish or Christian. 

    • #169
  20. J Climacus Member
    J Climacus
    @JClimacus

    Western Chauvinist (View Comment):

    Zafar (View Comment):

    Western Chauvinist (View Comment):

    Henry Racette (View Comment):

    Stina (View Comment):

    Henry Racette (View Comment):
    Again, our values may differ. I’m pretty strongly in the leave-people-alone camp when it comes to sex and relationships.

    I don’t really care what is moral according to Henry Racette. The only one who worships at that altar is you.

    That seems a bit intemperate, Stina. You and I differ about some matters of values; let’s leave it at that.

    Yes, but the moral laxity of “leave-people-alone” is one of the ways we’ve gotten to the point of normalizing pedophilia. Seriously. You can’t see that?

    One moment you stop burning witches, because mean, and the next your children show an interest in Buddhism. Hold the line!

    I should clarify, I don’t mean we should be busting down the doors of homosexual couples. But, we should be able to speak honestly about the costs associated with normalizing homosexuality — both to the practitioners and to society at large. And we certainly shouldn’t be legitimating homosexual behavior with SSM and adoption (all children deserve a mother and a father).

    And, yes, I would be appalled if my children wanted to be Buddhist. They’ve been shown a God who loves them enough to suffer and die for them. Christianity is radical love and its demands are great because the graces are unfathomable and undeserved. “Take up your cross and follow” means practicing chastity even if you’re inclined to homosexuality. It means practicing chastity (rightly ordered relations) even within (real, traditional) marriage.

    WC, I love your don’t hold back comments on this thread. Preach it!

    • #170
  21. BDB Inactive
    BDB
    @BDB

    Western Chauvinist (View Comment):

    Zafar (View Comment):
    Didn’t going easy on witches start society on the path to current day moral decadence and relativity?

    Akshully, from my perspective, the decline of the West (Christendom) started about 500 years ago, when the authority of the First Church of Christ was undermined. YMMV.

    Hey hey hey!  No food in church!

    • #171
  22. Vince Guerra Inactive
    Vince Guerra
    @VinceGuerra

    Henry Racette (View Comment):

    Vince Guerra (View Comment):

    Henry Racette (View Comment):

    Vince Guerra (View Comment):
    Ask any counselor who’s dealt with these individuals and they will tell you that the universal shared characteristic of the homosexual or sexually perverse is early childhood (usually sexual) trauma.

    I suspect that isn’t true.

    I’ve spoken with many trauma counselors about it, many are friends.

    Is it possible that “trauma counselors” might be dealing with a subset of the homosexual population that is particularly likely to have experienced… trauma… and so may not necessarily be representative?

    I said ask any counselor. Or just ask any homosexual you call a friend and are close enough to broach the question with. I also notice you left out the other portion of my comment which had nothing to do with trauma counselors.

    • #172
  23. Western Chauvinist Member
    Western Chauvinist
    @WesternChauvinist

    BDB (View Comment):

    Western Chauvinist (View Comment):

    Zafar (View Comment):
    Didn’t going easy on witches start society on the path to current day moral decadence and relativity?

    Akshully, from my perspective, the decline of the West (Christendom) started about 500 years ago, when the authority of the First Church of Christ was undermined. YMMV.

    Hey hey hey! No food in church!

    Bread of Life, baby!

    • #173
  24. The Scarecrow Thatcher
    The Scarecrow
    @TheScarecrow

    Can’t find the clip, but Dennis Miller had some great advice for pedophiles:

    Something like “If you are an adult man and you feel the need to have sex with children, and you can’t control it … you’ve got to kill yourself.  Yes, you’ve got to lean into the strike zone and take one for the team. Nothing else you are ever going to do with your life is going to make up for the damage you are going to cause. If you are truly a caring person, you will see this, and kill yourself.”

    • #174
  25. The Scarecrow Thatcher
    The Scarecrow
    @TheScarecrow

    Susan Quinn (View Comment):

    Stina (View Comment):
    Definitely a she however she identifies.

    I did a little more checking. She’s transgender–a female who became a male. I’m not interested in the details.

    Yeah? She didn’t look like a male to me, in any respect. I thought you had put up a generic picture of a liberal chick with a typical stupid haircut. I kind of like her glasses though.  She’s the professor – the GUY – who is at the center of all this?? Good god.

    Why would a woman-pretending-to-be-a-man be so interested in furthering the cause of pederasty?

    • #175
  26. The Scarecrow Thatcher
    The Scarecrow
    @TheScarecrow

    Susan Quinn (View Comment):

    BDB (View Comment):
    CP is TG? Is that new?

    I thinnk it’s in the interview linked. I think she had earlier identified as lesbian.

    As Adam Corolla says, “I’m shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhocked.”

    • #176
  27. The Scarecrow Thatcher
    The Scarecrow
    @TheScarecrow

    Henry Racette (View Comment):

    kedavis (View Comment):

    Henry Racette (View Comment):

    Vance Richards (View Comment):

    Henry Racette (View Comment):

    Flicker (View Comment):
    what are the studies showing that pedophilia is correlated with maternal hormone levels?

    I’m not aware of any, though I admit I haven’t gone out looking.

    But whether or not such studies exist, it wouldn’t change my sense of how we should deal with pedophilia. I believe that the attraction pedophiles feel is sincere; they aren’t faking a sexual interest in children. That interest should continue to be stigmatized, even if there’s a cruelty in that; acting on that interest should be harshly punished. I don’t see any safe and sensible alternative.

    Similarly, there is lots of evidence of genetic link to addiction. That doesn’t make addiction OK. Having desires is no excuse for acting on them.

    I think there is 100% agreement here on that point.

    That used to apply to homosexuality too.

    How the mighty have fallen.

    And black people marrying white people, too.

    This is a difference in our sense of values, I guess, and everyone is entitled to their own values. For my part, I have no objection to same-sex relations between consenting adults, and I’m perfectly okay with it being legal and not stigmatized. I feel the same about people of different skin colors and ethnicities being together. I don’t see any victims in the participants in such relationships. The same is not true of pedophiles, and so I vehemently oppose that.

    Again, apples and oranges.

    There are of course different kinds of differences.

    The practical difference between a black man and a white man is almost non-existent. While we may look a bit different superficially, we are basically the same cat.

    The practical difference between a homosexual man and a heterosexual man is much more pronounced. But only in certain areas; in many (most?) we are functionally the same.

    However, the practical difference between a man and a woman is off the charts. In almost every category. Who can make sense out of women? – words fail me. And they probably feel the same about us. But of course they’re all crazy.

    (And I wouldn’t have it any other way. Viva le difference!)

    This is why I know that men can’t become women simply by putting on a dress and telling me I’m wrong about everything: they don’t intimidate me and bewilder me and make me confess to everything, as a real woman will. They just make me shake my head.

    • #177
  28. The Scarecrow Thatcher
    The Scarecrow
    @TheScarecrow

    kedavis (View Comment):
    (“It doesn’t matter what happens to society because of what I believe, because I’ll be long gone before it gets REALLY bad” sounds like the Left too.)

    Hey! Keynesian economics!

    • #178
  29. James Lileks Contributor
    James Lileks
    @jameslileks

    Western Chauvinist (View Comment):
    Immoral behavior always, always has a cost. Even if heterosexuals are the ones doing it (adultery, fornication, etc.)

    The heterosexuals are the ones who are doing the sodomy thing the most, quantitatively speaking,  so perhaps best concentrate all efforts to reduce the harm on that randy cohort? 

    • #179
  30. James Lileks Contributor
    James Lileks
    @jameslileks

    Stina (View Comment):

    Henry Racette (View Comment):
    Again, our values may differ. I’m pretty strongly in the leave-people-alone camp when it comes to sex and relationships.

    I don’t really care what is moral according to Henry Racette. The only one who worships at that altar is you.

    “As we celebrate LGBT Pride Month and recognize the outstanding contributions LGBT people have made to our great Nation, let us also stand in solidarity with the many LGBT people who live in dozens of countries worldwide that punish, imprison, or even execute individuals on the basis of their sexual orientation.  My Administration has launched a global campaign to decriminalize homosexuality and invite all nations to join us in this effort!,”

    • #180
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