Is pedophilia going mainstream?

Jewish World Review ^ | April 16, 2002 | John Leo

[FormerLib]

Back in 1981, an astute writer at Time magazine (that would be me) noticed that pro-pedophilia arguments were catching on among some sex researchers and counselors. Larry Constantine, a Massachusetts family therapist and sex-book writer, said children "have the right to express themselves sexually, which means that they may or may not have contact with people older than themselves." Wardell Pomeroy, coauthor of the original Kinsey reports, said incest "can sometimes be beneficial." A Minnesota sociologist included pedophile sex among "intimate human relations [that] are important and precious." There were more.

My article caused some commotion, so budding apologists for child molesters' lib ran for cover. Since then, frank endorsements of adult-child sex have become rare. But pro-pedophilia (or anti-antipedophilia) rationalizations of the early '80s are still in play. Among them: Children are sexual beings with the right to pick their partners; the quality of relationships, not age, determines the value of sex; most pedophiles are gentle and harmless; the damage of pedophilia comes mostly from the shocked horror communicated by parents, not from the sex itself.

For example, take the controversy over the new sex book Harmful to Minors: the Perils of Protecting Children from Sex . The mini-uproar comes from the fact that the author, a journalist named Judith Levine, recycles some of the old arguments that play down the dangers of pedophilia. (The book has a foreword by former Surgeon General Joycelyn Elders, so don't say you weren't warned.) Levine says pedophiles are rare and often harmless. The real danger, she thinks, is not the pedophile but parents and parental figures who project their fears and their own lust for young flesh onto the mythically dangerous child molester. One section carries the headline "The enemy is us."

Priestly lapse. Levine opposes incest and adult-child sex that involves authorities with power over kids. That would seem to include predatory priests, but Levine thought this was a good time to endorse some priest-boy sex. She told Mark O'Keefe of the Newhouse papers that "yes, conceivably, absolutely" a boy's sexual relationship with a priest could be positive.

Harmful to Minors is a classic example of how disorder in the intellectual world leaks into the popular culture. In this case, I think the leakage comes from the Rind study, which caused a national furor after it appeared in 1998 in the Psychological Bulletin, a publication of the American Psychological Association. The study's conclusion that child sex abuse "does not cause intense harm on a pervasive basis" was the highest-level endorsement yet of the no-harm rationalization for child sexual abuse. Understandably, the Rind study is the new bible of pedophiles and their groups.

The study also called for a sweeping change in language used to discuss child sexual abuse (a term the study rejected as judgmental). This delighted the pedophile movement, which favors terms like "intergenerational intimacy." One critic of Rind mockingly asked whether the word rape should now be changed to "unilaterally consenting adult-adult sex."

The Rind study was a meta-analysis, an academic term for noodling around with other people's old studies instead of conducting your own. Meta-analyses notoriously leave lots of room for omissions and arbitrary decisions to somehow fit together different studies with different standards and definitions.

The major point about the Rind study is not whether it was intellectually shoddy (though I think it was) but that it shifted the national discussion several degrees toward the normalization of pedophilia. It will take a great deal more to convince the American people that tots have the right to select adult sex partners. But the terrain has been changed. Instead of virtually all Americans versus the pedophiles, the Rind team (who grandly compare their case to the travails of Galileo) invited us to see it as scientific and fair-minded people who believe in openness and dialogue versus meddling, antiscientific, right-wing moralists. It invites the left and the center to view antipedophilia traditionalists as the real problem, just as Levine says "the enemy is us," not pedophiles.

Here's an example of the terrain change. For more than 20 years, pedophile advocate Tom O'Carroll has been a stigmatized outsider. Now he has been invited to address an international sex convention in Paris on the subject of privacy rights of pedophiles and their child partners (or targets). His pro-pedophilia book is on a course list at Cambridge University. O'Carroll is surprised and delighted by his new stature and thinks the Rind study brought it about. Intellectually respectable pedophilia? What's next?

[Hemingway's Ghost]

Sorry, but I believe that you are quite wrong here. Going back to the days of Stonewall, you'll see that the most vocal proponents of the homosexual agenda also target the reducing or elimination of age of consent laws.

I'll grant you this: there seem to be two separate and distinct group of homosexuals---homosexual activists and mere rank-and-file homosexuals. I'm neither, but I do know homosexuals of the latter variety, and they're decent enough folk with an agenda the same as everybody else's---leading a happy, productive life. I don't like to see those people lumped in with the maniacs who advocate sex between men and boys, or sex between men and toddlers, or sex between men and sheep.

Just like licentious heterosexuals like Hef or Larry Flint or Bob Guccione don't speak for all heterosexuals, I don't think homo freaks who are into gayness as a "cause" speak for all homosexuals. I say we treat people as people---and Americans---first.

[jwalsh07]

Is pedophilia going mainstream?

Absolutely and with a huge boost from SCOTUS and the folks who applaud the norming of virtual child pornography.

[FormerLib]

Just like licentious heterosexuals like Hef or Larry Flint or Bob Guccione don't speak for all heterosexuals, I don't think homo freaks who are into gayness as a "cause" speak for all homosexuals. I say we treat people as people---and Americans---first.

Hef or Larry Flint or Bob Guccione are not leaders or spokesman of any organized political action groups. Comparing them to such is disingenuous.

"In the early days of 'gay liberation,' 1972, a National Coalition of Gay Organizations adopted a 'Gay Rights Platform.' This list of demands included one to repeal all laws governing the age of sexual consent ? a matter of some obvious concern to pederasts." -Connie Marshner, writing on "We Told You So: The Homosexual Movement 20 Years Later," in the Free Congress Foundation's Notable News Now

Please note that these demands have never been repudiated. Demanding that these people be treated "as Americans first" only works if we first acknowledge the threat they represent to our children and our nation.

Hey, you want to offer your children up to them, fine!

Just don't expect any of us to go along with you!

[FormerLib]

Just a BUMP for #'s 61 & 62!

[JimRed]

...if you catch a child molester in the act of sodomizing your kid...

A dead pedophile can't testify at your trial...

[Hemingway's Ghost]

Where do you get your graphics? Swish, swish?

[OPS4]

Join the 17,532 people who have supported this petition already by signing below. Help Stop Publication Of Pro-Pedophile Book In Minnesota!

Dear Concerned Parents,Grandparents, and those who care!:

As the Executive Director of Survivors And Victims Empowered, and Managing Editor of Treating Abuse Today, I am outraged that the University of Minnesota is going to publish Judith Levine's book, Harmful to Minors: The Perils of Protecting Children from Sex.

Levine's book is a manifesto for child molesters--and will create an even greater epidemic of child molestation in this country than already exists. Every day I see the results of the devastating consequences of child molestation on children and on adult victims of child abuse.

Levine's book will be used by homosexual and heterosexual child molesters, as well as pedophiles to legitimize the sexual abuse of children.

Levine's previous work provides us a clue to her pro-pedophile thinking. In an article published on the pornographic Nerve.com web site, Levine says this: "Yes, humans have bodies, which from birth appear to seek pleasurable touch as surely as slugs seek moisture." In another comment on Nerve.com, she describes a Sally Mann photo, "The Alligator's Approach," which shows a naked three-year-old as "sexy."

She describes men this way: "Men's sexuality is mean and violent, and men so powerful that they can 'reach WITHIN women to ....construct us from the inside out.' Satan-like, men possess women, making their wicked fantasies and desires women's own. A woman who has sex with a man, therefore, does so against her will, 'even if she does not feel forced."

Here are some of Levine's views on adult/child sex published on the University of Minnesota web site: "My book says that sexuality is a fact of life, and a potentially wonderful part of growing up for children at all stages of their lives. It's not sex itself that is harmful to children, but the conditions under which they might express themselves sexually...."

Levine says the greatest danger to children is the "...conservative religious agenda that would deny minors all sexual information and sexual expression." Minnesota Governor Jesse Ventura Must Stop Publication Of A Book Promoting The Sexual Molestation Of Children! I am urging you -- as a concerned parent -- to call upon Governor Jesse Ventura to use his authority as the leader of Minnesota to stop publication of Judith Levine's pro-pedophile/child molestation book! This is an outrage--and must be stopped!

State Representative Tim Pawlenty, majority leader in the Minnesota House of Representatives has shown courage in asking the University to stop release of Levine's book. Let us hope that Governor Ventura follows his lead.

Judith Levine is recommending that adults engage in criminal behavior with children! All states have statutory rape laws on the books. She apparently wants adults and children to break these laws so they can pursue "pleasurable touch."

The University of Minnesota is a tax-funded institution. It should not be funding a book that urges citizens to violate the laws of the state by sexually abusing children!

Please sign the petition below to Governor Ventura. If Judith Levine wants to promote pedophilia and sexual abuse, let her join the North American Man-Boy Love Association (NAMBLA) and post her views on this group's web site. She does not deserve to have her views promoted by the taxpayers of Minnesota!

Sincerely, Jim Hughes Executive Director Survivors And Victims Empowered Publisher: Treating Abuse Today

Dear Governor Ventura: As a concerned citizen, I am calling upon you to use your authority as Governor of Minnesota to stop publication of Judith Levine's pro-pedophile book, Harmful to Minors: The Perils of Protecting Children from Sex to be published by the University of Minnesota Press.

Levine's book is a call for the normalization of adult/child sex and will contribute to an increase in child abuse throughout Minnesota and the rest of our nation. Child molesters do not need more encouragement to sexually abuse children. The recent scandal of child abuse within the Catholic Church should serve as a warning children need to be protected in our culture from sexual predators. The University of Minnesota is giving aid and comfort to pedophiles by publishing Levine's book.

The taxpayers of Minnesota fund your university and should not have to support the publication of a book that advocates the violation of state laws against adult/child sex and child abuse. Levine's book is a call for criminal action on the part of adults to sexually abuse children. This must be stopped!

I am urging you to cancel publication of this book immediately! Your state must not be involved in an effort to promote the molestation of children or the breaking of state and federal laws against sexual abuse!

I agree with the views recently expressed by Jim Hughes, Executive Director of Survivors And Victims Empowered (SAVE), a child abuse recovery group, that if Judith Levine wants to promote pedophilia, let her join the North American Man-Boy Love Association (NAMBLA) so she can publisher her views on their web site. The taxpayers of Minnesota and your state should not provide her credibility and a forum for her pro-child molestation views!

Please take a stand against this woman's efforts to normalize adult/child sex! Cancel publication of her book immediately!

got to www.millionsofamericans.com you can sign the petition.

[OPS4]

Join the 17,532 people who have supported this petition already by signing below. Help Stop Publication Of Pro-Pedophile Book In Minnesota!

Dear Concerned Parents,Grandparents, and those who care!:

As the Executive Director of Survivors And Victims Empowered, and Managing Editor of Treating Abuse Today, I am outraged that the University of Minnesota is going to publish Judith Levine's book, Harmful to Minors: The Perils of Protecting Children from Sex.

Levine's book is a manifesto for child molesters--and will create an even greater epidemic of child molestation in this country than already exists. Every day I see the results of the devastating consequences of child molestation on children and on adult victims of child abuse.

Levine's book will be used by homosexual and heterosexual child molesters, as well as pedophiles to legitimize the sexual abuse of children.

Levine's previous work provides us a clue to her pro-pedophile thinking. In an article published on the pornographic Nerve.com web site, Levine says this: "Yes, humans have bodies, which from birth appear to seek pleasurable touch as surely as slugs seek moisture." In another comment on Nerve.com, she describes a Sally Mann photo, "The Alligator's Approach," which shows a naked three-year-old as "sexy."

She describes men this way: "Men's sexuality is mean and violent, and men so powerful that they can 'reach WITHIN women to ....construct us from the inside out.' Satan-like, men possess women, making their wicked fantasies and desires women's own. A woman who has sex with a man, therefore, does so against her will, 'even if she does not feel forced."

Here are some of Levine's views on adult/child sex published on the University of Minnesota web site: "My book says that sexuality is a fact of life, and a potentially wonderful part of growing up for children at all stages of their lives. It's not sex itself that is harmful to children, but the conditions under which they might express themselves sexually...."

Levine says the greatest danger to children is the "...conservative religious agenda that would deny minors all sexual information and sexual expression." Minnesota Governor Jesse Ventura Must Stop Publication Of A Book Promoting The Sexual Molestation Of Children! I am urging you -- as a concerned parent -- to call upon Governor Jesse Ventura to use his authority as the leader of Minnesota to stop publication of Judith Levine's pro-pedophile/child molestation book! This is an outrage--and must be stopped!

State Representative Tim Pawlenty, majority leader in the Minnesota House of Representatives has shown courage in asking the University to stop release of Levine's book. Let us hope that Governor Ventura follows his lead.

Judith Levine is recommending that adults engage in criminal behavior with children! All states have statutory rape laws on the books. She apparently wants adults and children to break these laws so they can pursue "pleasurable touch."

The University of Minnesota is a tax-funded institution. It should not be funding a book that urges citizens to violate the laws of the state by sexually abusing children!

Please sign the petition below to Governor Ventura. If Judith Levine wants to promote pedophilia and sexual abuse, let her join the North American Man-Boy Love Association (NAMBLA) and post her views on this group's web site. She does not deserve to have her views promoted by the taxpayers of Minnesota!

Sincerely, Jim Hughes Executive Director Survivors And Victims Empowered Publisher: Treating Abuse Today

Dear Governor Ventura: As a concerned citizen, I am calling upon you to use your authority as Governor of Minnesota to stop publication of Judith Levine's pro-pedophile book, Harmful to Minors: The Perils of Protecting Children from Sex to be published by the University of Minnesota Press.

Levine's book is a call for the normalization of adult/child sex and will contribute to an increase in child abuse throughout Minnesota and the rest of our nation. Child molesters do not need more encouragement to sexually abuse children. The recent scandal of child abuse within the Catholic Church should serve as a warning children need to be protected in our culture from sexual predators. The University of Minnesota is giving aid and comfort to pedophiles by publishing Levine's book.

The taxpayers of Minnesota fund your university and should not have to support the publication of a book that advocates the violation of state laws against adult/child sex and child abuse. Levine's book is a call for criminal action on the part of adults to sexually abuse children. This must be stopped!

I am urging you to cancel publication of this book immediately! Your state must not be involved in an effort to promote the molestation of children or the breaking of state and federal laws against sexual abuse!

I agree with the views recently expressed by Jim Hughes, Executive Director of Survivors And Victims Empowered (SAVE), a child abuse recovery group, that if Judith Levine wants to promote pedophilia, let her join the North American Man-Boy Love Association (NAMBLA) so she can publisher her views on their web site. The taxpayers of Minnesota and your state should not provide her credibility and a forum for her pro-child molestation views!

Please take a stand against this woman's efforts to normalize adult/child sex! Cancel publication of her book immediately!

got to www.millionsofamericans.com you can sign the petition.

[Don Myers]

bttt

[Don Myers]

bttt

[Old Professer]

Biologically any age past pubescence is naturally prepared for sex; many girls may not be fully grown and could have delivery problems though, but that is easily corrected medically.

The arguments against adolescent sex are mainly ones of pyschological preparedness and morality as it pertains to the culture in which such acts take place.

Since America has no culture but seems to be always in search of one, it might well be that such changes do lie in our future.

Of course, they said similar things about the nuclear holocaust that has yet to materialize...