Is There any Justification for Adultery?

Trying to come up with any kind of reason that can actually be used as any form of justification for adultery is difficult. Adultery is far easier to understand in certain situations than others but to go as far as to say that there is any particular reason that could actually result in society’s support of adultery is a matter of opinion.

People have come up with many reasons over the years to actually try and justify adultery, partly to ease their guilt and partly to make them look less guilty in the eyes of their family and friends. But when it comes down to the bare facts what reason can honestly support someone getting into bed with anyone other than the person who they are married to and still co-habiting with. Adultery can only be seen as working against the sanctity of marriage and in so doing inflicting an act of sheer cruelty on the cheated spouse.

One instance when I can perhaps see a justification for adultery is in a situation such as if someone has spent years nursing their spouse through a difficult illness and sexual relations are no longer possible. It is hard on someone who has effectively become a long term carer and it is understandable that a sexually active partner will find a prolonged period of celibacy too hard to bear. Adultery in such cases is often seen as an act to fulfil a need with no impact on the love and commitment to a marriage.

A couple I know had a really active sex life before they were married and until their only child was conceived. Immediately afterwards all sexual relations came to a halt with the wife deciding that she no longer wanted to be involved in that side of the marriage. As far as I am aware her husband hasn’t committed adultery but if he chose to cheat on his wife after six years of celibacy would he have reasonable grounds for committing adultery? He loves his son and although the marriage lacks intimacy it otherwise works ok. The question is can someone reasonably expect their spouse to remain celibate for years?

Justification for adultery cont...