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So a word that just moments ago you were saying was made up by the Catholic Church, you are now claiming to have expert knowledge of its history? You'll excuse me if I'm a tad doubtful. You claim that it's anachronistic. I have to ask you, do you know what that word means? Ephebophilia has a very concise definition and it's entirely inappropriate to use a word that is completely incompatible as a substitution. Pedophilia specifically states that the subject has an intense attraction for PRE-PUBESCENT children, that is simply not the case with ephebophiles. It's insane to criticize a group for not using a particular word when the word they choose to use is accurate and the one they don't use is not. I'm not defending the church, but it's not the church's fault that you're not familiar with the term. Pederasty, no matter how much a "term of art" it is would also be a wholly inappropriate word to use unless you are suggesting that all of these priests are homosexuals (I'm sure that some of them are, but certainly a minority). The Church has for a long time unconscionably tried to pin these horrific acts on homosexuals as a way of deflecting blame. These boys were abused because they were available, if these priests had access to girls as well, we'd be hearing of molestation of girls as well, probably in far greater numbers. These priests abuse because they are sick, sometimes evil people. Not because they are homosexuals.
With regard to criminality, although that has nothing to do with the appropriate use of the word, in most states, it's not considered to be equally criminal, especially with the creation of Romeo and Juliet laws. Quite often it's the difference as to whether the crime is a felony or not in terms of consensual sex.
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