NAMBLA's Internet Forum

In ancient Rome, the Forum was where people often gathered to discuss philosophy and politics. With this forum we hope to present ideas that viewers to our Web site wish to contribute. Even ideas contrary to our  views will be considered as long as opinions are presented courteously and in understandable English. We reserve the right to correct spelling and minor errors without altering meanings. None of the arguments presented in this forum should be assumed to be in line with NAMBLA's policies. They may or may not be. The purpose is the creation of a series of debates that may ultimately distill unassailable truths. We encourage readers, even when they agree with an opinion, to find flaws in logic or fact that the writer did not see. This is the best way of arriving at sound conclusions. Contributors are free to identify themselves by any actual name or alias they choose. Send your thoughts to: info@nambla.org

Some Thoughts on Love and Consent by David E. When I hear the word "love," I don't think of age, race, sexual preference, or appearance. I think of commitment, mutual agreement, and understanding. The ability to bond and coexist as a communion of one. The nesscessary actions one takes to put his needs on the back burner, so he can provide for the needs of his significant other. But society had abused this word and set limitations on it. They say that you've got to be a certain age to understand love, as well as consenting to any acts of love. Yet consent will vary with the individual. I could be twelve years old and know nothing of sex, then down the road, a boy my age has been sexual active since he was seven. So why is society treating all of this the same? Is it because of their lack of understanding? Or have they never experienced this when they were young, so they assumed minors don't know as much as they give them credit for? I think there might be a couple of reasons. One, it could be the fact that they don't want to see their children and grandchildren as sexual beings, so they're in denial of this truth. But when we were born, we had this nature already instilled in us. We could be extremely sheltered from anything that's sexual related, and nature will always find a way to draw us to it. And two, society may be concerned on the crime rate going up? Let me elaborate. If there's no age of consent, then it'll be very easy to lie about everything involving relationships, love, or sex. Even if at first it was consensual, later on, the boy might feel differently? So he says that he was raped or molested. That'll look very badly on people like us. I can see things from both sides, but society's side is labeling it only one thing. We're cold hearted monsters that needs help, and children can't consent. Which I understand their point of view, but they're putting it all in one basket. We all aren't molesters, and all children aren't innocent. That's the truth, and once society knows the truth, the better. I actually respect you guys at NAMBLA. From what I see so far, you aren't sexually crazed. You've got your own belief system, but you're not doing anything stupid to jeopardize that. Like society had labeled us, driving around in dark-tinted vans looking for children. But we're just normal people who's opposite in agreement with society and the law way of thinking. And once they come to terms with our reality, they'll see things in a whole new light. I want to become a NAMBLA participant, because my belief is similar to yours. And I'm a good speaker, whether verbally or on paper. When I'm passionate with something, I keep at it. Hopefully someday, your work with come into the light with a different perspective. But for now, you've got to work in the shadows, so that it can happen eventually. © 2022 NAMBLA