10 Things You Don’t Know About Adultery

[phkrause]

by Rob Kerby, Senior Editor

What is adultery anyway? The legal definition is a husband or wife forsaking their marriage vows by having sexual relations with someone other than their spouse. But did you know that in 23 states adultery is actually against the law? In Oklahoma, it’s a felony and can result in jail time. In Maryland, it can result in a $10 fine, according to Tim Murphy in Mother Jones magazine. “It's also prohibited by the Uniform Code of Military Justice,” he notes, pointing out that today “state-level adultery provisions are rarely, if ever, enforced.”

http://www.beliefnet.com/Love-Family/Gal..._term=yahoo.com

[Green Cochoa]

Did you know? The sin of adultery is ten times greater among Christians. I would go so far as to say it may well be more common among Adventists than other Christians.

Where is my backing for such a bold statement?

Adultery a "Christian" Sin. But if the transgressors of the seventh commandment were to be found only among those who do not profess to be Christ's followers, the evil would not be a tenth part as great as it now is; but the crime of adultery is largely committed by professed Christians. Both clergymen and laymen, whose names stand fair upon the church record, are alike guilty. {TSB 99.1}

Many who profess to be the ministers of Christ are like the sons of Eli who ministered in the sacred office and took advantage of their office to engage in crime and commit adultery, causing the people to transgress the law of God. A fearful account will such have to render when the cases of all shall pass in review before God, and they be judged according to the deeds done in the body. . . . Adultery is one of the terrible sins of this age. This sin exists among professed Christians of every class. . . . {TSB 99.2}

Blessings,

Green Cochoa.

[rudywoofs (Pam)]

Did you know? The sin of adultery is ten times greater among Christians. I would go so far as to say it may well be more common among Adventists than other Christians.

Where is my backing for such a bold statement?

Originally Posted By: Ellen White

Adultery a "Christian" Sin. But if the transgressors of the seventh commandment were to be found only among those who do not profess to be Christ's followers, the evil would not be a tenth part as great as it now is; but the crime of adultery is largely committed by professed Christians. Both clergymen and laymen, whose names stand fair upon the church record, are alike guilty. {TSB 99.1}

Many who profess to be the ministers of Christ are like the sons of Eli who ministered in the sacred office and took advantage of their office to engage in crime and commit adultery, causing the people to transgress the law of God. A fearful account will such have to render when the cases of all shall pass in review before God, and they be judged according to the deeds done in the body. . . . Adultery is one of the terrible sins of this age. This sin exists among professed Christians of every class. . . . {TSB 99.2}

The above quotes from Ellen White do not state that Adventists are more likely to commit adultery than any other denomination...

[Green Cochoa]

You are correct. Nor did I say that Mrs. White pointed specifically at Adventists. I do stand by my opinion, however, that it is likely more of a problem among Adventists. I believe this is a problem we have been afraid to address. In many cases, we keep quiet and move along as if nothing had happened--especially when our ministers, leaders, and evangelists are involved.

I'm not saying we need to hang out the dirty laundry. But I propose we do more to address the issue, rather than just futilely attempting to ignore it. The more we ignore it, the more readily it can grow bigger.

Blessings,

Green Cochoa.

[rudywoofs (Pam)]

Greenco, you pointedly used quotes by Ellen White to assert that adultery "may well be more common among Adventists than other Christians."

[rudywoofs (Pam)]

[Green Cochoa]

Rudy,

What part of "I would go so far as to say" did you attribute to me asserting that Ellen White said it? I guess I thought "I" was clear enough.

Ellen White says adultery is ten times greater among Christians. I presume you accepted that part.

Blessings,

Green Cochoa.

[rudywoofs (Pam)]

Green, you wrote:

Quote:

Where is my backing for such a bold statement?

then you proceeded to quote Ellen White..

best not to make such statements if you plan on backpedaling .... just not good form...

and my name is *not* Rudy...

[Green Cochoa]

Whatever. I tend to think the major statement I was making had to do with "ten times greater." THAT'S the part I was backing with Mrs. White. You chose to pick at my post. That was your choice. I only wonder "Why?"

You have yet to comment on the substance of it--adultery being a "Christian" sin.

Blessings,

Green Cochoa.

[Gregory Matthews]

Green, if we say that EGW said adultery was 10 times greater among Christians, we would say that she said that at a time when she was living. But, that would not mean that it would be true today, almost 100 years later.

We can not assume that every statement EGW made that was true in her time of life would apply today. After all, I remind you of a statement that her grandson, Arthur L. White, used to enjoy making: "Ellen White once said that the women of Loma Linda should shorten their skirts. I doubt that she would say the same today."

:)

[Tom Wetmore]

I would tend to agree. Studies and surveys in our time indicate far less difference between Christians/religious and those not Christian/religious when it comes to sexual behavior. And the difference between Adventists and other Christians is negligible.

But I also suspect a key difference among the compared groups is in the reporting of adultery as a basis for divorce or marital problems. I suspect the motivation to make it an issue is more apt to be brought to light where it is the only basis on which divorce is permitted. But also consider the difference in attitudes toward pre-marital sex and cohabitation without marriage. In those relationships, the same relational unfaithfulness is not going to be called adultery, nor will the end of the relationship because of it be called divorce.

And then there is the issue of characterizing it as a sin. Among non-Chrisitans it may have a different perspective. And secular society may have a different tolerance level of affairs, and sex in general. Take for example the affair of the French President. He is not married but in a long term relationship and reportedly seen with another woman. It hardly causes a stir in France. Married men having mistresses is significantly tolerated. Adultery in our view? Yes. In secular societies? Not a big deal.

And then, dare I say that Ellen White may have been using a bit of hyperbole to make a serious point. I would not necessarily read it as intended to represent an absolute statistical fact.

[Green Cochoa]

I tend to think that things have worsened since Mrs. White's day, not improved.

Blessings,

Green Cochoa.

[M. T. Cross]

There was a great thread about this a while ago

http://clubadventist.com/forum/ubbthread...html#Post654132

[rudywoofs (Pam)]

There was a great thread about this a while ago

http://clubadventist.com/forum/ubbthread...html#Post654132

thanks M.T. .... I thought the arguments looked familiar...