Do you feel sympathy for pedophiles?

[Evanora]

Before I ask this question, I would like to point out that I am in way supporting sexual relationships involving children or agree with the act of pedophilia.

Do you feel any sympathy for pedophiles? Predominantly those who do not act upon their thoughts?

I certainly do, as sexual thoughts about children aren't something they've chosen to have. They didn't wake up one day and think "Today, I like children!". I think it's wrong for us to condemn somebody for something that is beyond their control.

[lemons]

i agree with you 100% they need help and counselling to help them control and resist the urge

however if someone did 'stuff' with a kid then i would lose ALL sympathy

[MKR&*42]

Yes i have always felt sympathetic towards those who feel that way towards kids and do not act upon it, it is a very hard thing to control and even harder to ''get over''.

[-:Undertaker:-]

In terms of any urges they may have, then yes in a way.

But as stated above, as soon as they act upon those thoughts then any sympathy is lost. Completely.

[Kyle]

How are we supposed to know who is a potential predator until they do in fact act upon their urges? The only realistic way of 'treating' this would be to target those who exhibit certain predatory behaviours and offer them whatever rehabilitation they need. Yes it's wrong and harmful to others but there aren't really many other avenues to go down when the urges become too much.

[Futz]

we as humans should lock dark thoughts away and never act upon them

it's one of the responsibilities of having a concious mind

[FlyingJesus]

How are we supposed to know who is a potential predator until they do in fact act upon their urges?

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 yeah as everyone's said, I have complete sympathy for anyone with such struggles, I'm sure it's not exactly pleasant for them

[Yawn]

yh always thought this

is it a sexuality tho hMmmmmmMMmmMmm

[-:Undertaker:-]

yh always thought this

is it a sexuality tho hMmmmmmMMmmMmm

Don't say that or even suggest it or you'll have the gay lobby down your throat.

[Empired]

Yeah I feel sympathy towards them because I think secretly most humans have some kind of weird thought or urge that they don't tell anybody else about.
I know me and some of my friends have admitted to occasionally realising that we could kill someone really easily. Like I'm walking to college and I realise I could push the woman walking past me right into the road without much thought at all if I wanted to lol

But acting on those urges and feelings is completely wrong and I agree with Futz. Controlling yourself is one of the responsibilities of having a conscious mind.