"Would a serial killer be just as horrible for fantasizing about murders without ever murdering, or helping others murder? Of course not. " Sure, because they

"Would a serial killer be just as horrible for fantasizing about murders without ever murdering, or helping others murder? Of course not. " Sure, because they simply would not be serial killers, if they have never killed. So yes, it is important to make the clear distinction between people who have done horrible things and those, who have fantasies about it and not mix them all together. Part of what makes us human is impulse control. I might feel the urge to beat someone - but only if I would let that part of myself go, then there is a real problem as then something happened. With pedophiles it is of course a bit more tricky. Would you let someone close to your kids, if you knew they have fantasies about sex with them, but so far he has showed restraint? "But stigmatizing thoughts to the point where you can't ask for help with the thoughts seems like a recipe for problems." Yes, there was the famous incident, where one pilot decided to suicide himself and the whole plane with him. Smart populistic politicians reacted by saying they need a new law that says psychotherapists who treat pilots, must inform the authorities when the pilot has dark thoughts. Awesome way to hinder people from getting therapy as they could never open up if they know it might lead to their job being taken away. Therapies must be and remain confidential to have a chance of working.