Originally posted by Wraith
Furthermore such comparisons show a lack of real insight we all have into the minds of pedophiles.
These are extremely sick pitiful wretched creatures who lack itegrity, any modicum of a ethical/moral belief system. They are selfish, and lack even basic self control to curb their loathful desires.
Speaking from experience?
I don't support the act.
However, I would never be so rash as to assume that all people that share a similar trait must be carbon copies. Everyone has desires, and weaknesses. To say that, because a man is weak in the face of such, he has no ethical/moral beliefs is just short sided. Take the priests that molest alter boys (come on, we all knew it was just a matter of time before the catholics got drug into this), men that have served as the moral backbone of their community: Are you honestly telling me they have absolutely no morality? Some of them break down into tears when faced with the truth of their actions. That would suggest to me that they know damn well it wrong and feel badly because of that.
That is what makes this a problem. If these people where just plain evil, with no conscience, no sense of right and wrong, they would be much easier to find and weed out of society. Generalizations of that nature are simply unfounded. Case in point: Two homosexuals. One serves in the army, has a slight drinking problem, but is very well spoken, mannerly, and clean. Most people view him as being a farily nice guy. The other is a successful business man that is generous to a large degree.He holds street parties for friends and neighbors and volunteers his time at local childrens hospitals. No one woud ever suspect that these two men liked to drug and rape their victims, and the first even ate them.
Jeffery Dahmer and John Wayne Gacy. Now we can look at this two different ways. Both of which would be supported by generalizing in the way you are.
1)All homosexuals must be sick and twisted serial killers.
or
2)Gacy, at least, must have been innocent because he was such a nice guy. There is no way a man who dressed up as a clown for hospitalised children could ever do such things.
Both of these conclusions are way off base though. Much like your broad sweeping judgement of pedophiles. For such an obvious insight into their minds, you sure aren't using it.
Closer to the truth would be likening it to an addiction much like alcoholism or drug use. These people might realize what they are doing is wrong, and want to honestly stop, but a lack of will power is their downfall. I do not, however, see this as any form of excuse. Much the same way alocholism is no excuse for taking a life in a DUI, this sickness is no way ramoves blame from anyone that chooses to act upon those urges.