Lil Red Posted March 11, 2009 Posted March 11, 2009 +J.M.J.+ [url="http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/11/world/europe/11castrate.html?_r=1"]Article here[/url] Now, i'm not talking about involuntary castration, but voluntary castration (what the Czech Republic offers). would that be a moral option according to Church teachings?
HisChildForever Posted March 11, 2009 Posted March 11, 2009 (edited) The man they mention in the article did it for the sake of the community. Clearly the castration convinced him, psychologically, that he is now somehow "cured" of inappropriate sexual thoughts and behaviors. Maybe the physical urges and arousal have diminished if not vanished completely, but the thoughts can still be there. However, a sex offender [b]can[/b] still violate and molest an individual, castrated or not. [quote]“Sex offenders are requesting castration in hope of getting released from a life of incarceration,” he said. “Is that really free and informed consent?”[/quote] I have to hope that the castrated sex offenders are [i]still[/i] being monitored. In the States there are life sentences of probation and parole for sex offenders. I actually finished a paper the other day about the management, treatment, and containment of sex offenders in America and the restrictions are [i]crazy[/i] strict. It is dangerous to assume that castration will solve all problems. Edited March 11, 2009 by HisChildForever
CatherineM Posted March 11, 2009 Posted March 11, 2009 If rape were about sex, then castration, either physical or chemical, might be looked at differently. Rape is about power and control. The reason chemical castration doesn't get wider use is that there have been cases of those on the meds who still commit sexual assaults.
HisChildForever Posted March 11, 2009 Posted March 11, 2009 [quote name='CatherineM' post='1803839' date='Mar 11 2009, 02:57 PM']If rape were about sex, then castration, either physical or chemical, might be looked at differently. Rape is about power and control. The reason chemical castration doesn't get wider use is that there have been cases of those on the meds who still commit sexual assaults.[/quote] This is true. I should clarify: When I said "physical urges and arousal" I meant more along the lines of physical responses as opposed to what [i]makes[/i] those physical responses (which would be, as you said, power and control).
Lil Red Posted March 11, 2009 Author Posted March 11, 2009 +J.M.J.+ okay, but would it be moral for a man to choose this according to the Church's teachings?
MissyP89 Posted March 11, 2009 Posted March 11, 2009 I don't think so. If you lump rape in with other, "milder" sexual sins, you might look at porn, but you should still be open to life. You might masturbate, but you should still be open to life, etc. Castration takes away that God-intended purpose, so I'd say it would be immoral, regardless of intention. Think of it as a woman getting sterilized because getting pregnant would endanger her--that doesn't make it right. Just my opinion, though.
MIKolbe Posted March 11, 2009 Posted March 11, 2009 I would say no. We all have our crosses to bear. To reject your cross is to reject Christ, imho. I think there was a religious guy (back in the day) who did this to himself, or had it done; and it is argued that is why he is not a saint now. (but then i heard that and can't back it up)
ardillacid Posted March 11, 2009 Posted March 11, 2009 [quote name='MIkolbe' post='1803872' date='Mar 11 2009, 03:20 PM']I think there was a religious guy (back in the day) who did this to himself, or had it done; and it is argued that is why he is not a saint now. (but then i heard that and can't back it up)[/quote] ...how could anyone argue against this?
CatherineM Posted March 11, 2009 Posted March 11, 2009 I'd say no. He might do better with a 24 hour babysitter. I'm not sure we have the scientific means to rehab guys once they become abusers. They either find some way of fixing themselves, or they need to be separated from society.
Archaeology cat Posted March 11, 2009 Posted March 11, 2009 [quote name='MIkolbe' post='1803872' date='Mar 11 2009, 07:20 PM']I think there was a religious guy (back in the day) who did this to himself, or had it done; and it is argued that is why he is not a saint now. (but then i heard that and can't back it up)[/quote] Origen of Alexandria
rhetoricfemme Posted March 11, 2009 Posted March 11, 2009 Since he's volunteering himself for the procedure, wouldn't that be considered self-mutilation? I would say no to castration. It seems like a good idea on the surface, but if it's providing relief to the pedophile, I don't see how that's right. Not to mention that there is not a 100 percent guarantee that his sexual arousal will be eliminated. And if the problem goes further than arousal, a castrated offender can find other outlets to control and hurt somebody. You just never know. Mikolbe has a good point in that we all have our cross to bear, and denying our cross would be denying Christ.
Jesus_lol Posted March 11, 2009 Posted March 11, 2009 if it meant one child might have one less HUGE cross to bear, then i would say fine! in fact, the fact that they are volunteering just seems a happy coincidence.
cmotherofpirl Posted March 11, 2009 Posted March 11, 2009 Life imprisonment with no chance of parole is rather an expensive option for an ever increasing number of pedophiles. So are we going to designate an island so we can babysit them for the rest of their natural lives?
CatherineM Posted March 11, 2009 Posted March 11, 2009 [quote name='cmotherofpirl' post='1804074' date='Mar 11 2009, 06:16 PM']Life imprisonment with no chance of parole is rather an expensive option for an ever increasing number of pedophiles. So are we going to designate an island so we can babysit them for the rest of their natural lives?[/quote] Believe it or not, I don't have a problem with that idea.
goldenchild17 Posted March 12, 2009 Posted March 12, 2009 [quote name='Lil Red' post='1803820' date='Mar 11 2009, 01:37 PM']+J.M.J.+ [url="http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/11/world/europe/11castrate.html?_r=1"]Article here[/url] Now, i'm not talking about involuntary castration, but voluntary castration (what the Czech Republic offers). would that be a moral option according to Church teachings?[/quote] Crazy, I'm watching Lie to Me right now where I guy did that... I need to check my Moral Theology source but first reaction would be no it's not moral. The ends don't justify the means.
Nihil Obstat Posted March 12, 2009 Posted March 12, 2009 Rape and pedophilia are crimes committed by sick individuals. Last time I checked castration wasn't a cure for any sickness. I can't see it solving any problems. Maybe helping... maybe not, I won't even speculate on that.
jeffpugh Posted March 12, 2009 Posted March 12, 2009 [quote name='CatherineM' post='1804083' date='Mar 11 2009, 07:24 PM']Believe it or not, I don't have a problem with that idea.[/quote] neither would I, actually
cmotherofpirl Posted March 12, 2009 Posted March 12, 2009 Granted not all of them are violent sex offenders, but even if only 10% are, what island are you gonna commandeer to house them? And who is gonna pay to lock them up and throw away the key? [url="http://www.missingkids.com/en_US/documents/sex-offender-map.pdf"]http://www.missingkids.com/en_US/documents...ffender-map.pdf[/url]
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