Are Bill Henson's photographs of naked underage children art or pedophilia?

Question

Are Bill Henson's photographs of naked underage children art or pedophilia?

Answer 1

No...and yes!  It really all depends on who you ask, and what you are trying to do.  Was the bombing of Hiroshima in World War II a mass murder or an valid act of war time survival?  Is Michelangelo's "David" a magnificent work of art, or a profane 20 foot statue of a naked man?  The list goes on and on, but you get my point...I hope!

Are these pictures bad...?  If you find these pictures in Bill Henson's house...maybe not.  If you found these Polaroid pictures in the custody of a 3 time convicted paedophile... may be yes!  That pictures have not changed, put the character of the person possessing them has.  So, what is law enforcement and society to do????  Do you ask the person: "hey you, are these pictures art or about s*x?"  I think you can guess every persons answer.  How do you make a bright line rule that fits EVERY case....answer: you can not!  Are the people who want to totally outlaw these pictures wrong?  Are all the people who want these pictures perverts?

     There are no bright line rules, the answer is No...maybe yes, and the police have to do what they did.  Now let's hope that the powers that be, see THESE pictures in THIS instance for what they are and just move on.