If addiction is considered a disease....?

Question

1) is "Pedophilia" consider a disease too?
2) Is it true that there is no cure (like alcohol and drugs) but a program that will allow them recovery?
3) Do they really recover or will they always be a threat?
Here is the big question....
4) Can YOU ever forgive a pedophile?

God forgive me, but I can't! How wrong is that?

I would like honest opinions because I haven't been able to forgive my uncle (the pastor) and this has been bothering me for years. I would like "Christians" answers mostly, but will happly take any honest answers.

Jonjon

thanks for the honesty-I would never look at you or any other "gay" person as a pedophile! but unfortunately some people would.

Answer 1

Not a Christian answer, but an honest one.

1. Yes, it is. It's listed in the DMS-IV-TR.
2. There is no cure, but there is treatment.
3. There's treatment, mostly involving lowering the sex drive through drugs. Still, I wouldn't put them in an environment with children.
4. Could I? I don't know.

Answer 2

I watched a programme a couple of days ago on chemical castration of paedophiles. It was very interesting. They interviewed about four men who are in jail for their crimes and they all said they had no control. All were receiving treatment - either chemical or full physical castration.
One man said he was relieved at long last of the fantasies and he could now look at children without lust. The psychologist mentioned that some men were so aroused that they couldn't control themselves and would openly drop their trousers and masturbate in fornt of a whole group of people. All the men spoke of their great relief of being freed from this compulsion.
I don't know, I am not a psychologist. I do know that I think they should never be released, no matter of sympathetic I feel towards them, if uncontrollable compulsion it is. And I am sure that I would never forgive either.
Perhaps you need to read the book written by the victim of a rape. The girl was a vicar's daughter and she forgave her rapists. I'm not sure I could do that too. I can find out more for you, if you are interested.
I would pray for help. And I woulnd't waste another minute worrying about your sins in not forgiving your attacker. Jesus said that it was better for a man to have a millstone around his neck than to hurt a little one. Your uncle will meet his punishment. But God is the judge and you as the victim, will receive all the help you ever need.
What a tremendous burden to bear. Throw away your worries and concerns and just concentrate on living your life to the full.
All the best.

Answer 3

1. I think it is a mental sickness, not a chemical addiction, but I am no expert in mental health.

2. There are programs, but I would have a real hard time ever trusting kids around them again.

3. Even if they are cured, I would consider them always a threat. Some molesters that I have seen interviewed have said that there is no cure.

4. Forgiveness is an important thing, I cannot say if I could in your situation because I have not been there. We can hope that he seeks forgiveness and redemption, you can pray for him, It would take a lot of grace to be able to forgive him on a personal level. I don't think you could be blamed if you did not. I can tell you that it is best for you to at least give up the hate, as hate will hurt you.

Do not focus on forgiving him, focus on taking care of yourself. If forgiveness is not something you can do, there is nothing wrong with that in my opinion.

Seek counseling, good luck and God Bless!

Answer 4

I can not consider an addiction of any sort to be a disease (speaking as one addicted to nicotine). The reason that I don't consider it a disease is that, while yes a person can have a "genetic predisposition" to something like being an alcoholic (or at least that's one of the many excuses used) ultimately, it is the choice of the individual to act on that and thus become addicted. Diseases have nothing to do with choices. Some diseases are the result of choices (AIDS, lung cancer, etc) but that is not to say the person chose to get the disease (as is implied with the addiction disease argument).

I believe a pedophile will always be a threat, and no, I could not ever forgive them.....I have children and the thought that someone could do something like that to someone so innocent sickens me in ways that I can't describe.

Answer 5

1) I suppose. "Disease" may be defined as "any harmful, depraved, or morbid condition."

2) I don't personally believe pedophiles are "curable," based on the evidence of research.

3) Given 2), yes, I think the pedophile will always be a threat.

4) I would have a hard time forgiving anybody who had sexually molested me or mine, but I would probably try to get beyond it somehow for my own sake.

Incidentally, I'm not a "Christian." Also, I'm gay - which I mention because so many people like to compare/confuse homosexuality with pedophilia. The difference, of course, is that pedophilia is not consensual sex, but essentially rape. Homosexuality is only "depraved" in the depraved minds of certain "religious" people.

Answer 6

Pedophilia is a mental disorder according to the DSMIV-R. Addiction was recognized as a disease in 1988 by the medical association, alcoholism was declared a disease decades before that.

I don't have much compassion with pedophiles and don't mind if society locks them up for long periods of time - repeat offenders should never be allowed in society again.

Everyone's capacity to forgive is different. I don't know if I would be able to forgive such an offense... regardless, sexual offenders should all be prosecuted regardless of their position in the society or the family.

Answer 7

You must forgive in your heart so you can move on. God will take care of the rest.
I believe that being a pedophile is a choice and if it's brought on by mental illness or intoxication it is just enhanced. I do believe that if your violated as a child you run the risk of becoming an offender....BUT.....it is still ultimately a choice!
I truly believe that Jesus Christ can get you through ANYTHING and HE is who will be the strength we all need to heal.
Your Uncle will face the Lord one day and will need to account for his life, you do not need to worry about justice and as far as your pain goes, continue to grow in your faith and Jesus will guide you to your healing place. God Bless you sister!

Answer 8

Human is a dumb creature. He wants answers to everything, which he has no clue about.

Pedophilia in my view is not a disease it is just an attraction to children as so called normal people have attractions to those near their age.

Long ago, groups of people came to an agreement abpit behavior that is deemed normal or acceptable and not normal or unacceptable. Now a days, pedophilia is wrong.

Just like a long time ago, 18 became the age of adult. Why? Because law makers and experts in behavior came to an agreement that 18 is the minimum age that one is mature enough and have clarity of mind to know right and wrong, responsibility, etc.

Do you see what I mean. Humans have done this to almost everything, dammit.

Answer 9

1) Some do consider it to be a disease.
2) Only with the help of God can a man change his desires.
3)If they have a heart of repentance they can be healed, but it is a long process.
4) Even though it's a hard thing to do, we must forgive. If we do not forgive we carry the hurt with us which stops the healing process.

Answer 10

Forgiving means that you no longer hold something against someone, it does NOT mean that your trust in them has been restored, nor does it mean there should be no consequences for an action.

What forgiveness does is set you free, because you will not be consumed by the issue, seeking 'justice'.

In this case, I doubt the trust can be restored.