tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12970718.post116542950417318670..comments2024-03-18T03:40:39.185-04:00Comments on The Curious Jew: Little Children: The Pedophile as HumanChanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17655144434904957767noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12970718.post-92023497271024897072010-02-01T19:38:45.239-05:002010-02-01T19:38:45.239-05:00I am a pedophile. I have never offended except in ...I am a pedophile. I have never offended except in my mind. My father was convicted of a sex crime at the age of 55 that was 5 years ago. I am now 35 and my thoughts have turned to offending after years of normal relationships. My fathers crime has forced me to be honest with myself. I have sought help in a passive way. Never revealing the true nature of my condition. I now know that their is no treatment that would allow me to have the life I want. I have the morale strength to never offend. Always hating myself for my disturbing thoughts. I have been this way my entire life. Is their no hope for me? I don't want to die. I gave my daughter up for open adoption to protect her from me. I want to be able to love her and protect her in a normal way. This affliction has destroyed me and everything I love. I am a human. I love. Tomorrow I set a plane in motion that should lead to my death. I would rather die a man who never hurt anyone. Than live with what I am.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12970718.post-1169096756909954002007-01-18T00:05:00.000-05:002007-01-18T00:05:00.000-05:00I dragged my sis-in-law out tonight to see the mov...I dragged my sis-in-law out tonight to see the movie because tomorrow is its last run in the local theater. It was truly gripping. <BR/><BR/>My feelings turned for Ronnie during that conversation with his mommy over the personal ads. He recognized his perversion. He didn't welcome it. He truly wanted to be a good boy. (btw, I thought he was going to kill himself with the knife. I didn't dream he would kill Larry. His anger was so focused on himself, on his own perversion.)<BR/><BR/>My heart bled for Sarah.<BR/><BR/>I was glad that Larry was able to redeem his soul at the end.<BR/><BR/>Maybe you can clarify some things for me: Firstly (only a very minor point) - was there any importance to the clip that Kathy was editing about the little boy of the fallen soldier? I couldn't find a connection, yet the scene directed your attention to his story so forcefully. And, more importantly, why did Brad stop to skateboard? Was Sarah really that unimportant? I thought it was true love, not just childish fantasy. And why did he want to go back home to his loveless marriage? I don't get what changed in him.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12970718.post-1165871868727499062006-12-11T16:24:00.000-05:002006-12-11T16:24:00.000-05:00Brings to mind Nabokov's Lolita.Brings to mind Nabokov's Lolita.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12970718.post-1165511579199573922006-12-07T12:12:00.000-05:002006-12-07T12:12:00.000-05:00Just FYI, this was a book first. It was okay.Just FYI, this was a book first. It was okay.Jewish Atheisthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04616617537150446818noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12970718.post-1165495936306380392006-12-07T07:52:00.000-05:002006-12-07T07:52:00.000-05:00One thing more to clarify, as you make a good poin...One thing more to clarify, as you make a good point, Olah Chadasha- I was actually thinking of this man's story and portrayal- and his struggle to control his desires- as the "escape" part of his story. He was trying to escape from his disease, to run from it (which keeps him in line with the other characters, all of whom have fantasies of escape from life, society, or relationships.) Of course, he fails. But when you see him moaning, "I'll be a good boy now," you shudder-<BR/><BR/>Another very important point you made:<BR/><BR/>"We should never confuse recognizing the humanity of a person with needing to protect our children and protect society."<BR/><BR/>Agreed. There's no question the character, as portrayed in the movie, was sick, and that children should be kept safe from him. I do not mean that we should recognize his rights as a human being and give him free run of the neighborhood, or even let him out of jail. I mean mentally, emotionally, to realize there is- there could be- a connection between us and this man, even though we would prefer for it not to happen.Chanahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17655144434904957767noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12970718.post-1165459211017810992006-12-06T21:40:00.000-05:002006-12-06T21:40:00.000-05:00Oh, I have to be more clear. I am not in ANY way D...Oh, I have to be more clear. I am not in ANY way DEFENDING the actions of pedophiles. Neither do I advocate giving them second chances. I was simply moved by the portrayal of this man in the movie, and thought that in that specific situation, I could see humanity within the person. I only mean to distinguish between pedophiles as being human rather than monsters.Chanahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17655144434904957767noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12970718.post-1165450995140771792006-12-06T19:23:00.000-05:002006-12-06T19:23:00.000-05:00As a mother, it is difficult for me to fathom feel...As a mother, it is difficult for me to fathom feeling any shred of sympathy for a child molester. To me, attempting to rationalize the root of these actions smacks of defending them. I see this as one of the ultimate black-and-white issues, distinguishable from other types of criminals for whom it may be relevant to "give them a chance to restrain themselves." The consequences of giving a pedophile a second chance that includes access to children means the likelihood of many more lives destroyed and terrorized.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12970718.post-1165445549545538682006-12-06T17:52:00.000-05:002006-12-06T17:52:00.000-05:00I knew very well one pedophile, who had committed ...I knew very well one pedophile, who had committed numerous disgusting acts, claiming that they were all "consensual" and often switching between regret for his actions and excusing them. He denied claims against him for years, until he could deny them no longer; he has never been and never will be put into jail for his actions, because nobody is willing to testify.<BR/><BR/>He had a wife and 7 children, and thank God, he never molested his own children. His ex-wife, whom I spoke with numerous times, had intense contempt for him - but also, felt bad for him on occasion. Her brothers and she felt both that he was responsible for his actions, and that he had a clear sickness that was not his fault. I think that both are true.<BR/><BR/>They often said that as bad and sick the actions he committed were, it is mind-boggling that his Rosh Yeshiva and Rabbeim, who knew he had a problem and had done things as a yeshiva bochur, failed to inform his wife before they got married of his issues. Not only that, his parents as well failed to do so. He himself never said a word, and denied it when confronted near the end of their marriage. He still places himself into situations to do terrible things, though thankfully there are people who keep an eye on him and others like him.<BR/><BR/>So to answer the question... Of course, they get sympathy and compassion - when they try their hardest to control their problems, when they do what is expected of them as decent human beings, and when they take excessive care to make sure they don't hurt anybody else. Without that, they deserve no respect, much like any other person who can't do those basic things would not deserve any respect.<BR/><BR/>As for those who protect such people, who try to 'save face' in the face of incredible wrong? They are contemptible people, selfish people. They cause harm not only to the individuals who have been hurt, but to the individuals who will be hurt. To the families, to the schools, to the communities who are affected. Often, it is the enablers who help cause more harm than the criminals themselves.Ezziehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12494592434522239195noreply@blogger.com