Amazon caves in and removes pedophilia book from website

PUEBLO, Colo. - Amazon pulled an electronic book on pedophilia off their website early Thursday morning after the company was threatened by a boycott.

Early Thursday morning a listing and description of the book were no longer available on Amazon.com.

When customers searched for The Pedophile's Guide to Love and Pleasure: A Child-Lover's Code of Conduct, a 404 Error page would appear with the message "The Web address you entered is not a functioning page on our site."

The author of the controversial book, Philip Greaves, said he wrote it so pedophiles would not hurt children and follow a strict code of conduct.

"It is a guide to love and pleasure. It is not a guide to abusing children," said Greaves. "Every time you see them on television their either murderers, rapists or kidnappers. And that's just not an accurate presentation of that particular sexuality."

Greaves said he has sold one copy of the book that listed for $4.79.

Many Twitter users criticized Amazon in their tweets for allowing the book to be sold. More than 600 people joined a Facebook group calling for a boycott until the internet retailer withdrew the book. Child advocacy groups also demand its removal, too.

Free speech advocates say that Amazon has the right to sell the book under the First Amendment because it does not contain any photos of illustrations and therefore is not considered child pornography or legally obscene.

Before the company removed the book from its website, Amazon said in a statement it would be censorship not to sell objectionable books: "Amazon does not support or promote hatred or criminal acts, however, we do support the right of every individual to make their own purchasing decisions."

More surprising might be Greaves’ thoughts on pedophilia that he told to television reporter.

"To tell you the truth, I don't think it is always that bad for the child, but I do think it is always confining for the adult," said Graves. "If it is something the child didn't have any problems with then maybe a fine of some sort, but if it was actual physical harm or mental trauma... oh a few years in jail perhaps."

According to police records Greaves has not been charged with any sexual crimes. He also said he was not molested as a child and has never touched a child as an adult.

The Associated Press and KRDO contributed to this report.