john proctor

I am not well read in terms of biblical criticism, but I interpret "she cried not" to mean that she was a willing party to the adulterous sex. If that's the case, I don't see why it's so terrible that she be punished in some shape or form.

In present society, should there be a penatly (besides getting "dumped") for cheating? Is there?

When I was cheated on, I did whatever was within my power to exact vengance, but that was a sort of vigilanteeism. Is there a happy medium between stoning a cheater and breaking up with them?

Please excuse the derailment, and split this as appropriate.

Toto

If there were a death penalty for adultery that were actually enforced, the adult population of the US would drop by about half, including some of our most prominent politicians.

Most laws criminalizing adultery have been quiety shelved or dropped as an embarassment to a civilized society.

You probably should have consulted with a marriage counselor.

We'll send this over to MFP.

Reign_Cryogen

If only..

Toto

BTW - the original thread is here

john proctor

It should have been apparent in my post that I didn't advocate the death penalty. I simply feel that there should be some penalty, and was reaching out to the forum to determine the appropriate level.

Why is criminalization of adultery a bad idea? How about possible non-criminal penalties?

IsItJustMe

There are some, at least theoretical, non-criminal penalties, such as the innocent spouse gets more alimony or a bigger part of the marital estate if the couple divorces. This is really only important if the people involved have some money, though.

In my personal opinion I wouldn't do any more than that, and possibly less. I don't like to see government involved in that kind of thing very much.

john proctor

I understand your hesitation to involve the government. But, if two people have a contract, and one party violates it in a way that is extremely damaging to the other, shouldn't there be some sort of restitution?

Toto

There used to be a civil cause of action called "alienation of affection." Most states have abolished this, for good reasons (the courts don't like to be used as instruments of blackmail.)

I would still recommend counseling over punishement.

atechnie

I would recommend the former and require the latter.

-atechnie

john proctor

I think it was "loss of consortium." But, the marriage contract has legal significance in many other respects. See:

If a woman sleeps with me as a result of my agreeing to marry her, and then I back out, she can sue me.

If I give her an engagement ring, and she backs out, I can sue for the return of the ring.

If my wife has a child, it is legally mine regardless of the actual biological father.

How come adultery stands alone as the part of the marriage contract with no legal consequences?