I’ll play the devil’s advocate here. Not supporting or opposing your point of view. Just to add to the discussion. Let’s use another extreme: People with a killing spree sexual attraction. I know, I know, it may be not the same, and it’s something that doesn’t exist (God I hope!) But for the sake of the argument, let’s assume it does.
You have this forum of people posting memes about mass killings and frustrations about not being able to kill, but that you would totally never ever kill anyone, even though the urge is there.
What would you think of such community? Would it be a safe one?
(Dear CIA, NSA, FBI agents, the above is just a completely hypothetical scenario. I am a law-abiding citizen. Always have, always will.)
I’d argue it’s way better to give them a platform to vent, so instead of going to the street and killing everyone they post memes and share therapists.
Would I be grossed out? Hell yeah, just like with pedophilia. Would I still think it’s a good thing? Absolutely.
It’s easy to go with your gut feeling and think you’re righteous to follow it. It’s always harder to think it through and do and support what’s actually right.
…there is a joke here that I could make about incel forums. I’m not going to try to because it’s in poor taste, but my point is that I’m pretty sure that does exist…
Also, what’s your actual position if that’s your devil’s advocate position? I’m a bit unsure if the implication there is intentional or not
Well, I don’t really have a position. I think pedophilia is heinous, but I understand that sexual attraction is not a choice. Would an internet forum be a good and healthy supporting tool for pedophiles making an effort to do the right thing? That’s the question I’m trying to answer.
TL;DR it very much depends on the nature of the platform, but peer support platforms like Virtuous Pedophiles seem to be more good than bad, helping in combating child sexual abuse.
I’ll play the devil’s advocate here. Not supporting or opposing your point of view. Just to add to the discussion. Let’s use another extreme: People with a killing spree sexual attraction. I know, I know, it may be not the same, and it’s something that doesn’t exist (God I hope!) But for the sake of the argument, let’s assume it does.
You have this forum of people posting memes about mass killings and frustrations about not being able to kill, but that you would totally never ever kill anyone, even though the urge is there.
What would you think of such community? Would it be a safe one?
(Dear CIA, NSA, FBI agents, the above is just a completely hypothetical scenario. I am a law-abiding citizen. Always have, always will.)
I’d argue it’s way better to give them a platform to vent, so instead of going to the street and killing everyone they post memes and share therapists.
Would I be grossed out? Hell yeah, just like with pedophilia. Would I still think it’s a good thing? Absolutely.
It’s easy to go with your gut feeling and think you’re righteous to follow it. It’s always harder to think it through and do and support what’s actually right.
…there is a joke here that I could make about incel forums. I’m not going to try to because it’s in poor taste, but my point is that I’m pretty sure that does exist…
Also, what’s your actual position if that’s your devil’s advocate position? I’m a bit unsure if the implication there is intentional or not
Well, I don’t really have a position. I think pedophilia is heinous, but I understand that sexual attraction is not a choice. Would an internet forum be a good and healthy supporting tool for pedophiles making an effort to do the right thing? That’s the question I’m trying to answer.
Here’s something I found on the issue:
https://www.nomos-elibrary.de/10.5771/9783748904403-279.pdf
TL;DR it very much depends on the nature of the platform, but peer support platforms like Virtuous Pedophiles seem to be more good than bad, helping in combating child sexual abuse.