The Energon Pub

This is a question I had in one of my law classes a few weeks back. The question is: who is more dangerous: the pedophile who molests kids, or a person who finds children and underage kids sexually desirable, yet does not act on the impulse? Waht is your opinion, and why?

Decepticon Spike wrote:This is a question I had in one of my law classes a few weeks back. The question is: who is more dangerous: the pedophile who molests kids, or a person who finds children and underage kids sexually desirable, yet does not act on the impulse? Waht is your opinion, and why?

While both are equally detestable, obviously the pedophile who can't control his actions and molests kids are the ones who are the most dangerous...and sickining as it may sound, it's the only one out of the two that are against the law. Having a thought is not a crime, it's acting on those thoughts which are.

I agree with your post, I do think that the one who acts on the impulse is more dangerous, since, like you said, thoughts are not illegal. However, I do think the the person who has the thoughts should seek help, in case the urge becomes too powerful, ands they end up like the first guy.

What's the difference? One acts and doesn't? Isn't one the predecessor to the other?

Ok, you have a Pedo, who acts, that's bad. However, before he/she became what they are, weren't they the other?

Now let's say you have one who only fantasizes and does not act. What happends given enough time and isolation in the vacinity of a child. Won't they then become the latter?

I know, it's not a crime until it's commited, but I just finished reading Orwell's 1984 last nite and there is a crime...Thoughtcrime.

The one who molests children is worse. Obviously. Even if we assume that the other person has sexual fantasies about children, so does the molester.

We're not even certain that the person who does not act out on his fantasies ever will do anything or even that he (or she, for that matter) ever wants to do anything.

DJDrew&ScoobyDoo wrote:What's the difference? One acts and doesn't? Isn't one the predecessor to the other?

Ok, you have a Pedo, who acts, that's bad. However, before he/she became what they are, weren't they the other?

Now let's say you have one who only fantasizes and does not act. What happends given enough time and isolation in the vacinity of a child. Won't they then become the latter?

That what we were talking about in class. Since you can not have the act without first thinking about committing it, which one is the worst of the two.

How does a rape of opportunity apply to this? I know that most rapist do it not for the sexual gratification, but for the power of dominating another person. If someone rapes a minor is he the same as a pedo? What if it was premeditated vs just an opportunity?

DJDrew&ScoobyDoo wrote:premeditated vs just an opportunity?

that might be a question about someone who took an i-pod for how seriously they should be punished.

BUT the real question about guilt is not "premeditated / opportunity" it is does the person know what they are doing is wrong.

pedo / rapests should know what they are doing is wrong & then they're guilty. if they don't know what is wrong, then they need a straight jacket & a dark hole. (I'm so PC aren't I?)

here is another question:
When 99% of child sexual abusers are 'Uncle Joe' or 'Soccer Coach Pat.' Is it irresponsible of the media (Dateline: To Catch a Pred & the like...) to protray the threat of sexual abuse comes from strangers hunting our innocent children?


Sending a grizzly sexual predator w/ bloodshot eyes behind bars is sexxy TV. Testifying against your brother in court & realizing that someone you trusted harmed your children doesn't boost ratings.

DJDrew&ScoobyDoo wrote:How does a rape of opportunity apply to this? I know that most rapist do it not for the sexual gratification, but for the power of dominating another person. If someone rapes a minor is he the same as a pedo? What if it was premeditated vs just an opportunity?

I'd say it would be classed as a pedophile assault, with an added rape charge.

I don't believe that thoughts can be criminal or even wrong. Going home and having a good old fap after a day in a kiddies park is pretty disgusting, but it does nothing to hurt anyone. If someone in that frame of mind can keep their bits to themselves, and abstain from child porn, then they aren't criminals. They are, well, ewwwww, but not criminals.

Your thoughts and fantasies are your own.

Nobody can even call you disgusting for having them.


The act is the crime. And that act starts before you actually rape a child.

Possessing child pornography is also the act, because even if you are not doing it yourself, you are taking pleasure in something in which somebody was hurt to produce.


I also want to bring up the issue of age of consent. This is dangerous territory, but I want to bring it up.

Ephebophilia is the attraction to adolescents. Not children. Some would argue that this is not a bad thing as teenage girls are able to reproduce, and therefore is not unnatural biologically. It is, however, culturally.

I've researched the subject. Most countries that I could find, the legal age of consent is 14. This includes our neighbor in the great white north, if I'm not mistaken. (Am I? Anyone from Canada here?) In Spain, it's 13. 16 is also very common. In fact, many states in the US seem to have the age at 16. So the whole idea of "it's disgusting if she's under 18," is stupid. 18 is not a magic number, and Britney and the Olsen Twins did not suddenly become hotter or "available" on their birthdays. I've met 18 year olds who act like they're 14. I've met 14 year olds who act like they're 18.

So the issue comes down to culture. I have to agree with the number 18, and I think that not only should every state set it at 18, but set marriage at 18 as well. Some states actually have the marriage age lower than the sexual age. 18 is a good number for our culture. But that being said, I still don't think it's wrong to have desire for someone under 18.

Yes, I'm 26, and yes, I've had these thoughts myself. Many times. And I know I will again. But I also have a fetish for older women. I'd much rather be stuck on a desert island with a MILF who knows what she wants and hates playing games than a 15 year old drama queen any day of the week. And I don't want to see "eewwww too much information" either. This is a serious discussion.

So am I evil and disgusting? No. I will never dream of manipulating a young girl into sex. Or jerking it while watching her through the window. I've never done either of those things, and if I ever do, I will turn myself in and willfully subject myself to shock therapy. Ask for it even.

Why? Because the question of culture. She is biologically ready, but in our society it would take manipulation to achieve, and therefore is wrong. As for Spain with it's 13, I think that's a bit low, but then again, I don't know how people think there either. Then again, there are places in the Middle East, I think, where it's 9, and there's no way in hell around that.

It's 16 over here, didn't even know it was higher than that anywhere. I think 12 or 13 really is as low as it should ever go, though.
But yeah, I agree with your point about older women, I tend to prefer them myself, despite having had a few relationships with women a fair bit younger than me.

Jesus Prime wrote:It's 16 over here, didn't even know it was higher than that anywhere.

Yep. Over here, despite the fact that the age is 16 in most states, word is that you're a disgusting pervert if she's under the magic number 18.

Dark Zarak wrote:

Jesus Prime wrote:It's 16 over here, didn't even know it was higher than that anywhere.

Yep. Over here, despite the fact that the age is 16 in most states, word is that you're a disgusting pervert if she's under the magic number 18.

Sucks to be you.

DJDrew&ScoobyDoo wrote:I know that most rapist do it not for the sexual gratification, but for the power of dominating another person.

It is for sexual gratification. The feeling of having control serves to either enhance or facilitate that gratification.