When the Homily is about Immunology

Is there an epidemic of Child abductions/molestations?

I wonder. It seems almost EVERYDAY I hear a new local news story about some pastor, some coach, some teacher, some relative, or some stranger trying or succeeding in molesting/abducting a child.

Here'a brief sampling: HERE HERE HERE HERE

Now of course some will say that we are just HEARING about this more and that in reality the frequency of such crimes has not dramatically increased. That in times past such crimes were so horrific that they would go unreported, unbelieved, and simply denied by all parties. Of course, you cannot deny a child's corpse. It DOES seem to be happening more and more. And it is rather odd how unsurprised we are to hear such news today, isn't it?

And then think about the internet? Good night! Between chat rooms and porn sites with all manner of horrors - the availability of child exploitation and related "products" (Lord have mercy!) is astonishing. Sickening. Have any of you seen the Dateline undercover series "To Catch a Predator"? On any given episode they can get 30 some grown men to show up with pretty ugly intentions for girls as young as 12.

I suspect there IS an epidemic. One might argue there is a genetic basis for pedophilia and they may be right, and of course they'll get no sympathy from me. Genetics are never an excuse as I believe that which makes us human (as opposed to animal) is our ability to rise above our "programming." But I wonder if our society is presenting a side of itself that ALLOWS predators such as these to feel inclined to indulge their passions? How can we deny such? Of course our culture points us in the direction of our passions.

Over and over and over again we are pounded with morality founded upon the "your okay, I'm okay" belief system. By what means could our newest generation of pedophiles ever have the idea that what they FEEL, what they DESIRE (especially sexually) could ever be WRONG? Perhaps because we do still cling (a little) to the notion of "Do what thou wilt, as long as you cause no harm to others?" Maybe...but even this I think is ultimately trumped when the passions are so entertained, coaxed, and inflamed.

I'm just thinking out loud here, I truly wonder if we have not opened the floodgates ourselves?

In the meantime we need to teach our kids to fight. Yep, fight. Like this young girl and these two teens. Young Cory Daniels likely saved he and his friend's life, and inspires me to think that perhaps not all our young men are feminized passive victims.