rationalskepticism.org

Darwinsbulldog wrote:

james1v wrote:Is it natural? No. Breeding wise, fucking a child, who is not fertile, is barking mad. That's why barking mad people try to justify the rape of children

Well, what else can you expect from complex brains designed by evolution?

There is not much functionality [as far as procreation goes] in having sex where children are not likely: a man having sex with a man, or with a female before or after her reproductive years.
Genetic input into behavior is usually of the "channeling" sort, rather than determining specifics. In the absence of suitable mates, male beetles will sometimes try to hump a rock.
Short version, no behavior is "unnatural".
But sex is used for a lot more than procreation. In bonobos, it is used to build friendship or lessen conflict, irrespective of gender.

In any case the "evolutionary psychology" approach does not give us any real insights, because pedophilia as a problem seems to be a mix of social and personal ills in modern society. The sexualization of almost everything in advertisements, the warped sexual values of religions that try and make people think sex is dirty or sinful.

Religions warp ordinary human values so much that I think some lose their natural moral compasses. Most people do not want to kill, but you can ask some to kill for god. Most people would not be homophobic, except when they are taught to be by religious clerics. Most people would not offer their daughters for sex with rapists, to prevent a man being raped. Most people would not consign their first-born to the flames, unless their god demanded it. Most people don't rape kids, because its wrong. Even if their religion approves of it.
Holy books don't teach us well about physical or moral reality, and tend to compromise our understanding of both. Add that to a species where psychosis, delusions, paranoia and aggression are never far from the surface, and you get bad shit happening.