Thanks for your reasonable and clearly formulated reply! I think I agree that it would be good if there was more rational and calm discussion on these topics.

First, a short note just for the curiosity;

I remember when I first started to study Western moral philosophy at the University, our lecturer used a following description; just like mathematics is a science studying numbers and their relations, so ethics is a science studying morals.

Well, which ever definition of words we use, I think it is very fruitful and necessary to take a note of that distinction between individual and group level of regulating behaviour.

In a way, all of my own moral philosophizing - all the provocations put aside - could be simplified down to what we think about the individuals self-regulating their behaviour. A lot of classical philosophy seems to assume that people are badly selfish and constantly seeking to hurt others to advance their private interests, so that individuals need to be kept in check by constant group pressure. That works to a certain degree, but personally I feel that more sustainable, smooth and long-lasting effects could come from individuals behaving in a peaceful good manner without a need of the external pressure prodding them to do so. Hence, my interest in all the possible ways of self-education and innate benevolence.

And, given that basic orientation, I then only have a minor foot-note to add to the idea of individuals behaving in ethical way without a need of external pressure; I've noticed that sometimes, despite our innocent or good-meaning intentions we are biased, or we might be blinded by our simple gut reactions, so that we mistakenly act in such a way which then creates trouble for others (and the others might feel bad about us, thus feeling justified to put pressure on us, and so the cycle of group pressure begins again, soon anyone can't trust anyone for it becomes common for people to group together to put pressure on this or that individual or group of individuals).

(What comes to pedophiles, I'd guess a society would do better to invest more resources in empirical research of what makes a person become a pedophile, how to spot the early signs, and if there are any ways to affect the flow of the things so that less of current kids would grow up the become a pedophile, so that for the future generation there would be fewer pedophiles around. And, if there aren't that many viable ways to help people not turning into pedophiles, then what does long-term evidence-backed scientific research say about best ways of preventing pedophiles from disturbing minors - like, if they can't be cured of their phantasies, then can they learn to keep it only as a phantasy understanding that such actions will cause harm and trouble for others. And, as the golden rule says, if you don't like others harming you, then stay away from hurting others. A fear of collective punishment has been a traditional way to keep pedophiles in check, but maybe the fear is not the only possible way, maybe a society could get better results if it applied a wider range of means instead of just increasing the classic fear.)

Ah yes, The North American continent - I'm fully aware that the culture there is somewhat different from what I see here and that I can't quite understand all of it for I haven't experienced it first-hand. I mean, I stay away from judging or taking sides on your local issues like the much debated gun control and everything. It has been a while since I last checked any statics, but I think Finland is another of the countries near the top when it comes to firearms owned per capita. But, luckily, here they still are mostly and mainly for hunting grouse, hare and moose =)