Yo! rational ones

Why is pedophilia unnatural?

I don’t think its unnatural but wrong yes. Maybe in 100yrs of more “rationality” where a child consents sex with an adult pedophilia will be viewed very differently. Just like homosexuality.

Like homosexuality, pedophilia has an ancient history too. Version of it was legal in Ancient Rome. Yes, that bastion of Modern Rationality.

I think you just have to wait for super-lube.

I do not condone this kind of behavior and it disgusts me as a former member of the clergy anytime I hear of more of these types of examples. As far as a “something else” might go though (speaking as one who was in that kind of role before and probably understands it more than those who haven’t even been Christians, much less pastors in the Christian faith), I thought I would share my thoughts. They are not gospel truth, but I did feel compelled to share so take it for whatever you will.

Yes, pastors/clergy/etc. are to be the leaders and examples to their followers of “virtue” and “decency.” Yes, they should (and most often do) strive with all their heart, soul, mind and strength to live up to that calling on their life. At the same time, they are still human beings and I don’t know about you, but we all have things that we struggle with and things in life that we do that we later regret. What if we were to label you as whatever it is that you struggle with in life (lying, cheating, stealing, etc.)? The fact is (assuming that these things are in fact true and not just accusation or rumor–which btw we so often forget to check and examine and correct our assumptions when necessary) that is who this person was at that moment in time, that moment of weakness where they succumbed to those temptations, whatever they were. We all have the capacity to get help and change and just because someone has been that way, they don’t have to stay that way and I’ve personally see God make those kinds of changes in a person’s life. Do we put them back in that kind of situation again? Absolutely not! Do we forgive these people and work with them and love them in order to help them to change and grow from it? Absolutely yes!! We’re not here to judge, we are here to love and to serve all people, especially those who are broken and/or hurting and I think we would all agree that regardless of who they are, these people are broken and most likely hurting in some way and in that regard need us more as a church than anyone else. Jesus didn’t come on behalf of the healthy but the sick (see Mark 2:13-17 if you don’t believe me).

So first of all, we need to remember that these people are just as human as we are. Next, we need to remember that even though they are held to a higher standard and have specific training that most people believe will somehow make them less likely to succumb to these things, I believe that there is in fact “something else” in play here. I believe there is a very real and personal enemy to the faith out there, namely Satan or the Devil. This is not to negate personal responsibility here as the Devil can only have as much power as anyone will choose to give him in their life, but he has plans for all of our lives just as God does. Only instead of plans for hope, life and a future as God extends to us, the Devil would like to kill steal and destroy us and the faith we stand for. With that said, if you were going to do your best to bring down the Christian faith and a belief in Jesus Christ and His Father God, what would you do? If you’re a smart soldier, you attack your enemy where it hurts and with that said I would claim that church leaders, especially pastors and missionaries would be the primary target. Hardly anyone notices when the average person succumbs to some of these things (it definitely doesn’t get posted internationally to internet web boards), but if a high profile leader does, it gets noticed as you well know if you’re reading here. As deeply as I am saddened when I hear of these types of things happening, it is further evidence to me that there is a very real Devil out there and he truly does want to destroy us and everyone else on the planet through these types of tactics. I can personally attest to these facts. During my 5 years serving in full time paid youth ministry at two different churches, I felt incredibly stronger compulsions to fall to my own personal struggles than I do now that I’m out of that role. It’s kind of strange like that. I’m the same person I was, I’m still at the same church that I last worked at and still serving with youth, but all of the sudden that compulsion is significantly less if not completely gone in that regard. I don’t know how to explain that except for the presence of an enemy that was dangling the carrot in front of me trying to tempt to do something that would not only bring me down, but collectively give the church a black eye and obviously personally hurt any parties involved. Its almost like I don’t matter enough to bother anymore. I’m a small fish in the grand supernatural battle that is raging for the souls of the world. And again I can personally attest to situations similar to mine happening to various people in various locations over basically the whole course of my life.

So anyway, I’m sorry for the length here and I thank you if you actually took the time to read the whole thing. But again those my just thoughts as somewhat of an “insider” to these types of scenarios and situations and how they might be more different and complex than they seem on the surface. Take it for what you will as you already have something made up in your mind about what it means to you.