I'm aware that desiring children sexually and encouraging others to do the same in itself is not illegal (there are many websites condoning such), but the act of seducing, molesting, or otherwise sexual relationships with a child is illegal (in the United States). Is that what you mean?

It is indeed. (Though I'm not sure where encouraging others comes into it - I'd imagine that it'd be impossible to encourage someone to find children sexually attractive.)

'Encouraging' may not have been the proper word to use - there are several anonymous forums and imageboards up and running where it is perfectly legal for pedophiles to share tips on how to lure children, where to do it, and how to get away with it. That's what I was referring to by using the word 'encouraging.'

Legally? I hope not.

It's only legal because it can't be proven that the users of those forums have actual intent to commit sexual acts against children. The majority of those sites are for sharing nonsexual photos, apparently. I think that's the reason, anyway.

There was a television special about an owner of one of the websites once. You can probably find the clip on Youtube.

Well, that's some distance from the topic under discussion anyway.

I think the original question could have been better phrased as 'does anybody think gay and lesbian hate crimes are anything but horribly wrong?'.

Hate crimes are horrible, I don't care what you're hating. Being gay doesn't hurt people but the hate crimes do.

If you guys want to continue on about pedophilia then you can make a topic about it.

Worst thing is... killing a homosexual here isn't a crime, being a homosexual is a crime.

I never said raping children was the same as being attracted to the same sex. I said being attracted to children is possible the same as being attarcted to the same sex, and you can't help it. You can help raping kids of course, but I find it hard to believe every person that has that issue does it. You'd have to be the rapist type anyway. Being a pedofile doesn't make you a rapist.

This is going so wonderfully off topic. But, thats what I love about forums.

Being a pedofile would typically mean that you are a sex offender, aka breaking the law and having relations with a minor.

That can be prevented. There is NO excuse for harming un-wanting children into engaging in sexual activity.
I don't see how the similarity can even be made. Gays are willing participants, and I don't get why people keep leaving that out.

I thought a pedofile was someone who was attracted to children, but doesn't neccesarily rape them. I know pedofiles do feel attracted towards children, but everyoen that feels like that isn't neccesarily going to act on those feelings!

This needs its own topic.

Then make one.

Being a pedofile is not okay. That's basically a fact.
I will never acknowledge a similarity between pedophilia and homosexuality, because there is none.
Homosexuals should be able to act on their feelings without facing hate crimes, what they are doing is not against the law. (Assuming you are in the US.) If you're acting on your feelings as a pedofile, you ARE breaking the law.

The point here isn't that pedofiles can control their feelings, it is that what they want to do is illegal and immoral.
I happen to disagree that the same classifications apply to homosexuality.

I'm not saying it's ok to act on it, as obviously that is a crime, but simply being a pedofile couldn't possible be!

Ugh, I'm gonna stop replying, nobody has any idea what I'm going on about. Including myself.

^ I get what you mean and I think I broadly agree with you.

Well then people could say that about heterosexuals.

Did you choose to be straight? Doubt it.
You can't just apply that theory to homosexuals.

Ok, I'll be the one to make the new thread because I actually want to discuss this.

I'm straight, and I think hate crimes against ANY group of people is wrong.

But here's what I feel...

I have many gay and/or lesbian friends, and we all get along great because we are all normal people, but the ONE thing that annoys the hell out of me about the gay community, is that they don't want to be discriminated against...... yet they go PARADE themselves around cities, have bumper stickers that say "gay pride" all over them, and go around waving rainbow flags all over the place.

If you don't want to be discriminated against, don't go make yourselves stand out, and rub your sexuality in everyone's face. It would be no different if straight people went around parading the fact that they LOVE screwing people of the opposite sex, and throwing parades where they makeout with people on top of giant floats.

My 2 cents. Like I said, gays and lesbians are great, just keep your sex lives private like everyone else does

^^

Agreed! And I am gay.

LOL that made me laugh little v