Do you feel sympathy for pedophiles?

[Kyle]

A surprisingly large number of people approach doctors/therapists confessing their urges, usually if not always led by their own shame and fear that they might do something awful if they don't get help.

But problems arise where these sexual urges interact with other issues within the individuals' minds. Those that have difficulty feeling shame or embarassment for example are not likely to be deterred from committing such an offense so how else can we deal with them? The main difficulty here is not those that do seek help (I think we've established that a degree of sympathy is held for them) but those that don't, or can't - are we condemning them to the depths of hell because they don't know how to control themselves?

[j0rd]

no, not at all

i do think for some it is actually an illness and others god knows!
for those who do have is as an illness then i do feel for them, however I still think there is a sense of self control which everyone can resist.

question is, if a young close family member of yours was a victim of a pedophile, would you sympathize then?

[FlyingJesus]

But problems arise where these sexual urges interact with other issues within the individuals' minds. Those that have difficulty feeling shame or embarassment for example are not likely to be deterred from committing such an offense so how else can we deal with them? The main difficulty here is not those that do seek help (I think we've established that a degree of sympathy is held for them) but those that don't, or can't - are we condemning them to the depths of hell because they don't know how to control themselves?

Pretty much, same way we don't tend to have sympathy for mass murderers who get off on violence. Reasons aren't excuses

question is, if a young close family member of yours was a victim of a pedophile, would you sympathize then?

No because then they've acted on it, that's been pretty much everyone's point

[Kyle]

question is, if a young close family member of yours was a victim of a pedophile, would you sympathize then?

yes cos it's possible to look beyond what somebody has done and into what can be done to help them. Obviously anybody who has been victim to or knows somebody that has been victim to a child predator is going to harbour some resentment towards that individual but it's important to separate yourself from a situation and not generalise the situation of 1 person onto all those with/that act upon these urges.

You say it's an illness for some and others "god knows", I wonder where that distinction between these two is for you?

Homosexuality was regarded as an ilness, an abomination, in our recent history. I think it's possible through a civilising process that attitudes towards these unnatural urges will be relaxed.

looks like I am only truly sympathetic person here. not a paedophile peeps.

[j0rd]

yes cos it's possible to look beyond what somebody has done and into what can be done to help them. Obviously anybody who has been victim to or knows somebody that has been victim to a child predator is going to harbour some resentment towards that individual but it's important to separate yourself from a situation and not generalise the situation of 1 person onto all those with/that act upon these urges.

You say it's an illness for some and others "god knows", I wonder where that distinction between these two is for you?

Homosexuality was regarded as an ilness, an abomination, in our recent history. I think it's possible through a civilising process that attitudes towards these unnatural urges will be relaxed.

looks like I am only truly sympathetic person here. not a paedophile peeps.

illness when it's you think its right and whatever happens when its an illness (i've never been in the position to be educated on when its an illness)
god knows when it is done deliberately, out of own will when you know its morally wrong

my sister was a carer for people who were convicted pedophiles, some knew what they were doing (not an illness) and others didn't (illness)

[Kyle]

illness when it's you think its right and whatever happens when its an illness (i've never been in the position to be educated on when its an illness)
god knows when it is done deliberately, out of own will when you know its morally wrong

my sister was a carer for people who were convicted pedophiles, some knew what they were doing (not an illness) and others didn't (illness)

yes this is a legal definition and is how diseases of the mind are categorised as defences. It's the last part of the m'naghten rule on insanity and it states that the individual must not know the nature/quality of their act or know it but not know that it's wrong. Children who molest younger siblings or other children for example may fall into this category if they are seen to be unaware of the harm they are causing. If it's done deliberately with knowledge of potential harm then I agree, it's wrong, but I still think though that some sympathy and delicacy needs to be applied in these cases.

Reasons are not excuses - I agree - but they should still be taken into account in order to make a just decision on the treatment of paedophiles. Collective condemnation of an individual or group and consignment to eternal suffering is a very backward-looking approach and frankly, aside from uniting onlookers through hatred, (of "witches", paedophiles, murderers, homosexuals and others) I don't quite know what positive effect it could have. Rehabilitation and looking below the surface require, I think, a degree of sympathy - a desire to help.

[Inseriousity.]

Not really. I was quite shocked to hear about the existence of PIE (pedophile information exchange for anyone not aware of the Harman scandal in the media lately) as if there could ever be a society for pedophiles that wasn't just tolerated but seen in some parts as a valid viewpoint - often wrapping up arguments in gobbledegook to make it sound intelligent and reasonable. For the benefit of society as a whole, I think pedophilia needs to remain one of those no-go areas although if someone seeks out help to deal with it, I wouldn't feel sympathetic ("aww you poor thing!") but I'll be glad they've took that route. If someone's controlling urges it'd also depend on how they're controlling them.

[Eric]

I think there are studies proven that paedophilia is actually caused by something in the brain. so it's some sort of a mental condition and they're actually born with it and thrust upon against their will, having a sex drive for children without exception, with little or no assistance provided for them as much of what society does about paedophilia is punishing them and not preventing. someone who has weird thoughts for children should be given help and treatment to lead a normal life as having a clear awareness of state of mind is difficult. If they seek help or know their thoughts before they act then yes, they have my sympathy. when they inflict harm upon children then they cross the line, but like kyle said a degree of sympathy should still be given

[Yawn]

imagine all the closeted paedos

[FlyingJesus]

Living for today, ooh ooooh ooh-ooh-ooh