No such grace for the Catholic church...
onehandle (39,142 posts)
'Mild Paedophilia Never Did Me Any Harm': Atheist Scientist Richard Dawkins Declares
Dawkins, 72, who is known for his strong religious criticism, said it was important to distinguish between varying levels of paedophilia, and that cases involving rape and murder should not be compared to 'mild touching up'.
In his autobiography, Professor Dawkins told how a master at his Salisbury prep school had pulled him on to his knee and put his hand inside his shorts', adding that other boys had been molested by the same teacher.
While he said that he had found the episode 'extremely disagreeable' he wrote: 'I don't think he did any of us any lasting damage.'
However his comments have provoked an angry reaction from child protection groups. The NSPCC’s Peter Watt told The Times: 'Mr Dawkins seems to think that because a crime was committed a long time ago we should judge it in a different way.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2416953/Richard-Dawkins-controversial-mild-paedophilia-comments.html
MattBaggins (6,998 posts)
16. He was the victim and processed it in his own way.
But you go ahead and bash away
Bash the victim, how cute.
"processed it in his own way" is code speak for "as long as the child doesn't complain" which is the NAMBLA position.
Yet, this same group runs around telling you if you check out some chick's nice ass in her yoga pants you're an eye rapist and they will do their level best to convince her she should be offended.
mike_c (32,536 posts)
30. you're blaming the victim....
Last edited Wed Jan 8, 2014, 09:24 PM - Edit history (1)
Actually, I had a similar experience as a boy, and processed it in much the same way. It was unpleasant. I never went back to that guy's house again. But that was pretty much the extent of it. Dawkins is simply speaking his own truth, as I just have.
Want to blame me, too?
Because no one would ever accuse mike-hunt of being maladjusted.
quinnox (18,691 posts)
2. and this guy is like a rock star to some atheists
Last edited Wed Jan 8, 2014, 08:46 PM - Edit history (1)
What a creep.
Whisp (21,179 posts)
48. what the ****!!!!!
you have some problems, man. really you do!
The un****able scrag weighs in...
nadinbrzezinski (128,865 posts)
15. I see this as coping behavior
and completely understandable given the society he grew up in.
These days what he experienced is sneered at. When he was a child, it was ignored, completely.
It's like bullying, the boys will be boys (that can kill) is now not as tolerated as it used to be.
That said, understanding does not mean I condone it, before somebody says such. That teacher (or his modern counterpart. that teacher is likely dead), should face the full legal consequences of that act.
Golly! If only women would learn to cope with rape better!
Then Hairy-Tick I Am runs about a dozen self-deletes which brings out the following:
newcriminal (1,625 posts)
93. Since I can't respond to your post A Heretic I am
What a cowardly and underhanded person you are. Post vile disgusting messages and delete them right away to not have them hidden. You need more help than I thought. COWARD!!!
Then there's this giveaway:
Hamlette (11,901 posts)
51. Would the outcry here be different if it was someone besides Dawkins? Someone you admire?
Would you hate him if it was Obama who said this? Or Greenwald or whoever it is you admire?
I too had a similar experience. I can't help but think it would have been worse on me had I spoken out about it. We all want to get the perpetrator but sometimes the cost to the victim is very high.
I just wanted to a normal kid. I thought if I spoke up I would lose my anonymity, I would no longer be one of the group. I'd be the kid who got molested by that guy. I'm glad I said nothing. It was harmless.
IOW: Dawkins gets a pass because of his celebrity.
SummerSnow (2,125 posts)
126. Asshat...he probably touches boys and think its ok.
I see another Sandusky case coming
Electric Monk (8,838 posts)
132. Please log off the internet and don't post again, if that's what you got from this. nt
baldguy (31,912 posts)
141. I was hesitant in clicking on this thread
Because I knew some religionists would deliberately fail to recognize Dawkins' position - he is at best merely uninformed on the subject, or at worst a victim in denial - and use it as an opportunity unfairly attack atheists.
I was sadly not disappointed.
Alternate Headline:
Proglodytes not so butthurt over pedophilia.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10024301471
