Is adultery wrong?

[Lerodan Chinamerica]

I've heard quite a lot of debate over what should be done about adultery. Some say it should be a crime punishable by imprisonment, others say it's equivalent to breaking a legal contract. Some say the government should just keep out of it.

Here are two questions for you: is adultery fundamentally immoral and what consequences should there be for it, if any? In my opinion, adultery is wrong in most cases but it should not be a criminal offense. Instead, judges should consider the background behind the extramarital affair being dealt with. For example, did the other spouse have one as well? Did they do it because they were being abused? Was it an open marriage? The result should be more favorable to the victim of the marriage rather than the judge arbiting based on logistical factors.

What say you, NSG?

[Blekksprutia]

Umm...yes.

[Esternial]

I wouldn't say the law has any say in it, really. Only when the married couple wants to divorce because of it, the case of adultery has to be taken into account.

The court doesn't really have to step in and deal with people's personal problems.

[Cameroi]

what is wrong is to deceive partners as to one's affections and to deny them the same openness one grants one's self.

jealousy is a most unfortunate human emotion. it is born of insecurity. remove the source of insecurity and you have removed the source of immortality and wrong.

[Zottistan]

Adultery in it's own right is not inherently wrong.

Adultery when you know your partner wouldn't be ok with it is very wrong.

[Living Freedom Land]

My personal opinion is that adultery is wrong, at least in most instances. However, it would be a terrible overreach of power to allow the government any say over our sexual lives. Adultery ought to be completely legal with no legal repercussions.

[Faolinn]

This is a case by case deal to me. It depends on the conditions the couple has set, the circumstances surrounding said infidelity, and why.

[Republica del Marikoon]

No.

[Ryccia]

Its wrong, and its a crime in Ryccia. If you want to have another woman, then divorvce and that would do it.

[The Tiger Kingdom]

Well, it sure as hell hurts feelings, doesn't it?

[Lerodan Chinamerica]

Its wrong, and its a crime in Ryccia. If you want to have another woman, then divorvce and that would do it.

This is an OOC forum, sir.

[Lithosano]

I'd say its only wrong if the couple makes it wrong.

My view of marriage is decidedly legalistic. Marriage is a relationship with a contract stipulating that to be "married" and enjoy all benefits thereof, both spouses will do X, Y, and Z. If Z, Y, or Z is "be always faithful, to death do us part" then yes, adultery is wrong.

Similarly, if there is an expectation of fidelity such that infidelity would cause emotional pain, then adultery is wrong. I find that, unless otherwise specified, the rule is fidelity even if not directly stated. Thus, in most cases, adultery is wrong.

[Kilobugya]

It is wrong when it's a break of trust, like any other break of trust, not worse, not better. And while a break of trust can be considered by courts in many cases (like in a divorce affair), it's not in general the concern of the government, it would require way too much intrusion of the gov into private lives to be doable reliably.

[Ryccia]

Okay, well then, I think its very very wrong.

[The Grey Wolf]

Adultery in it's own right is not inherently wrong.

Adultery when you know your partner wouldn't be ok with it is very wrong.

^ This.

[Ashmoria]

adultery is a sin. if you believe in sin and that adultery is a sin then its wrong.

cheating on your partner is wrong because its cheating. it ought not be the grounds for a worse outcome in a divorce. the non-offending spouse is not a victim. they don't deserve more because their spouse cheated on them.

[L Ron Cupboard]

Texas is planning to bring back stoning to death for such Biblical offences.

[Terrordome]

Government and the law should stay out of it it should be completely legal. The only legal effect adultery should have is as a grounds for divorce.

But if you commit adultery without the knowledge/consent of your spouse then you show yourself to be untrustworthy and capable of breaking a solemn oath to a loved one. So even if you should not be prosecuted, I can still think you are a shitty human being.

[Ashmoria]

Government and the law should stay out of it it should be completely legal. The only legal effect adultery should have is as a grounds for divorce.

But if you commit adultery without the knowledge/consent of your spouse then you show yourself to be untrustworthy and capable of breaking a solemn oath to a loved one. So even if you should not be prosecuted, I can still think you are a shitty human being.

you shouldnt need grounds for divorce. and you don't in most states of the united states. not wanting to be married any more is enough.

[Napkiraly]

If it's an open marriage, no. If not, yes.

[The Grey Wolf]

If it's an open marriage, no. If not, yes.

I envy the lucky bastard who gets one of those.

[Grenartia]

Define adultery.

If you mean cheating on your significant other(s) without informing them of your desire to engage in sexual/romantic actions (including who with), and/or doing so without their permission, then yes, I'd argue that it is wrong.

If you mean ANY sexual/romantic desire/activity with ANYBODY, outside of your relationship with a single significant other, regardless of whether or not you informed them and obtained permission, then I'd argue that it is not inherently wrong.

I see mutual, consensual polyamory as just as valid as traditional monogamy.

However, unless the instance of adultery in question causes some sort of damage, or deprivation of reasonable rights (its a little hard to get into specifics due to the vast nature of hypotheticals possible), it shouldn't be a matter of the law.

[Napkiraly]

If it's an open marriage, no. If not, yes.

I envy the lucky bastard who gets one of those.

Eh, I wouldn't want one. Then again, I don't plan on getting married.

[Zottistan]

If it's an open marriage, no. If not, yes.

I envy the lucky bastard who gets one of those.

I don't.

[The Tiger Kingdom]

I envy the lucky bastard who gets one of those.

I don't.

I really don't either.
I don't like sharing, or being shared.