Volume 53, Issue 2

Abstract

Abstract

Adult-child sexual interactions are a controversial issue within the church. Many experts argue that they should be regarded as sexual abuse. Advocates of the acceptance of paedophiles claim that these interactions are potentially beneficial. Through a comparison of publications from 1980 and 1998 and an analysis of a congregation confronted with adult-child sexual interactions, the author shows how various perspectives are adapted. These perspectives, wich reflect the underlying interests and power relations, determine the precise meanings of the words employed (e.g., sexual abuse, perpetrator, child sexual development, intimate relation). The author claims that moral evaluation of the reasoning of any party involved should take into account its specific perspective. This critical analysis of power relations and the various corresponding perspectives enables us to develop an adequate ecclesial policy.

Loading

Article metrics loading...

/content/journals/10.5117/NTT1999.53.003.GANZ
1999-04-01
2024-03-29
Loading full text...

Full text loading...

http://instance.metastore.ingenta.com/content/journals/10.5117/NTT1999.53.003.GANZ
Loading

Most Cited Most Cited RSS feed