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You write that "most people find the concept of attraction to children offensive." That is true. But why is it the case? Because -- as any perusal of the historical, anthropological, or artistic record will verify -- attraction to young people is, if not precisely universal, then extremely widespread. If it were not, humanity would have died out long ago. But for complex reasons -- economic, social, political -- our society has collectively "decided" that this attraction must be repressed. (it wasn't a conscious decision as such but a result of all kinds of power dynamics coming together). The fact that it cannot be ultimately repressed by everyone everywhere is very useful to power holders because it provides an endless diversionary spectacle that neutralizes opposition from both the right and the left to current power alignments (the only thing now that both left and right agree on is the demonization of "pedophiles" -- it is no accident that the pedo-priest scandals were splashed all over the front pages of the most liberal newspapers in America at just the time the GW Bush administration launched an illegal and disastrous war.) The whole issue can be distilled into what one wit said: "Of course everyone wants to have sex with kids. That's why there are laws against it." This is why Vir Ped's whole reason for being is absurd and simply invites more oppression. But their mistake -- if you can call it that -- was also at the heart of the failure of NAMBLA and other pro-BL organizations that hikari alluded to. Implicit in their very platforms is the notion of a separate category of human beings defined by a peculiar sexual "orientation." There will be no peace and no end to oppression until we can get away from that entire approach. It is not going to happen in yours or my lifetime -- the notion of people being defined by "orientation" has set in too deep and is too useful to those who hold the reins of power in our society. But understanding this and working to change it is the first step towards setting oneself free -- at least in one's own mind -- and giving one a sense of purpose. SR |