I'm taking a western civilization class right now, and I read excerpts from the Code of Hammurabi (first written law code). I knew back then, they were very strict about adultry (in most places, it was just for women though. Men were allowed many wives).

So that got me thinking... Should there be laws in modern society concerning adultry? In some countries, they have extremely harsh punishment for those who commit adultry, but here in America it's everywhere. Have you seen the movie Derailed? The whole reason he's targeted is because he chose to commit adultry. So some people seem to think it's wrong, and I've seen your guys' reactions to cheaters.

The emotional pain people inflict upon each other can be just as bad as physical pain. So why not punish those who cheat on their spouses? The point of marriage is for two people to remain committed to each other, but how often to people break that committment?

I personally don't think there should be laws, because you can't prove how you feel, and people would just take advantage of that. But I had a 30 minute drive home, and was thinking about this... What do you guys think? Should there be punishment for adultry?

Jack, psycho, mojo, and Lost... if this fits better in Humanities, move it there. I figured I'd put it here because it concerns people sexing and being affectionate and whatnot, not just the concept of the law or whatever.

no way, are you kidding? that's so puritanical it's not even funny.

no, there should not be punishment for adulterers, because that is using the law to control people's personal relationships. the purpose of the law is to protect the weak from the strong and enforce property rights.

-1 for spelling 'Adultery' wrong.

quote:Originally posted by lauren7249:

no, there should not be punishment for adulterers, because that is using the law to control people's personal relationships. the purpose of the law is to protect the weak from the strong and enforce property rights.

Well, I guess, but maybe I mean more like... hurting somebody that bad. Because if you punch somebody, there are assault charges. But I'd much rather be punched than cheated on.

But, I did say I don't think there should be punishment for adultery. It just bothers me that it's become so acceptable.

I think that in a marriage contract there should be very specific instructions as to what constitutes adultery, what it's punishment should be, etc. But if there is nothing pertaining to adultery in the marriage contract itself then there should be no legal ramifications.

quote:Originally posted by firekitty751:

Well, I guess, but maybe I mean more like... hurting somebody that bad. Because if you punch somebody, there are assault charges. But I'd much rather be punched than cheated on.

But, I did say I don't think there should be punishment for adultery. It just bothers me that it's become so acceptable.

have you read the scarlet letter? it doesn't make a good case for punishing adulterers.

quote:Originally posted by lauren7249:

have you read the scarlet letter? it doesn't make a good case for punishing adulterers.

I haven't, but I think you're missing my point.

I don't think there should be punishment at all, I just think it's wrong and unfortunate that people in general are hardly phased by it anymore.

It's the evolution of society.

In a few hundred years, the idea of having a single partner for more than a night will seem insane.

There isn't much we can do to change that.

quote:Originally posted by Gus:

It's the evolution of society.

In a few hundred years, the idea of having a single partner for more than a night will seem insane.

There isn't much we can do to change that.

I agree. Let us forthwith go back int the trees and jungles we have long-since abandoned. Let us throw away this conservative lifestyle of moderation. Take heed unto the common ape. He is unclothed and has relations with whomever he pleases.

Cast off this weight, citizens. Throw out that which homo sapiens has created out of his sweat and blood. Erectus knows what is best for us all. Cast off evolution, for it is the weight that for eons has emprisoned us away from rank decadence and perversion. Let us abandon this modern life for there is much pleasure to be had by all.

For is that not what mother nature has intended all along? That we may give ourselves unt each other and eat our offspring for sustinence? Let it be far from me to sugges that this puritanical lifestyle is best for all. Let it be far from me to even think that society is somehow better than the lifestyle of the ape.

Thank you sir for enlightening my mind unto this piece of eternal wisdom. Let us celebrate with much homosexual intercourse and fellacio.

quote:Originally posted by ArgonPlasma2000:

[...]Let us celebrate with much homosexual intercourse and fellacio.

AGREEMENT! Jill, join us in homosexuality!

It's only gay if there isn't a girl, right? RIGHT?!

quote:Originally posted by Gus:

AGREEMENT! Jill, join us in homosexuality!

It's only gay if there isn't a girl, right? RIGHT?!

Whatever, as they say, floats your boat, my lover.

quote:Originally posted by Gus:



In a few hundred years, the idea of having a single partner for more than a night will seem insane.



THAT is god damn scary.

quote:Originally posted by firekitty751:

I haven't, but I think you're missing my point.

I don't think there should be punishment at all, I just think it's wrong and unfortunate that people in general are hardly phased by it anymore.

You haven't read The Scarlet Letter? Is that even possible?

Are you home schooled?

While i'm against legislation which would penalise adultery per se, i personally would welcome a return to the days when divorce required the discernment of a 'guilty party'.

ps. you confused polygamy with adultery in the original post.

Hmmm, well where I live it's known for certain "crimes of passion" to be acquitted. Keep in mind I live in Texas though so we tend to be a little crazy.

For example: Husband comes home and finds his wife having sex with another man. Husband slits man's throat (really should've been the wife but moving on). Husband is tried and serves no jail time.

Basically while *I* know of no laws pertaining to this, it is factored in and I'm happy it is.

wtf?

quote:Originally posted by Byss:

I think that in a marriage contract there should be very specific instructions as to what constitutes adultery, what it's punishment should be, etc. But if there is nothing pertaining to adultery in the marriage contract itself then there should be no legal ramifications.

I agree, it should be in the original marraige contract.

And firekitty...People make mistakes and unfortunately adultery is one of them. And adulterers do get punished when their spouses hate and divorce them. When my husband cheated I "punished" him for six months...I mean I wouldn't sleep with him and I wasn't sweet to him and I kept telling him I wanted a divorce and poisoning him with my hatred.

Believe me by the time we had worked things out he regretted a million times over ever just LOOKING at that other woman, much less sleeping with her.

Firstly i would like to say that there really is no place for the law in personal relationships like this. We have Big Bro sticking his nose into too many things which are none of his business already.

Dont we have enough people complaining about gays etc falling foul of the law in some places.

Where do we stop with this approach? On the one hand we want freedom to persue our sexual desires and drug habits etc any raise a ruckus about the gov control.

Secondly what happens to someone in a bad marriage(for whatever reason) who truly finds a loving relationship outside of his/her marriage. Do we punish these people? Do we deny them the chance to make a better life for themselves with a better partner? What happens to women/men who find themselves in abuse relationships? Do they never get a chance to get out?

No, Keep the law out of personal matters, Sure provide some sort of guidance, counselling etc if it is requested but punishment?? Lets not wind back the clock 100 years thanks very much!

quote:Originally posted by pedro the swift:

Firstly i would like to say that there really is no place for the law in personal relationships like this. We have Big Bro sticking his nose into too many things which are none of his business already.

Dont we have enough people complaining about gays etc falling foul of the law in some places.

Where do we stop with this approach? On the one hand we want freedom to persue our sexual desires and drug habits etc any raise a ruckus about the gov control.

Secondly what happens to someone in a bad marriage(for whatever reason) who truly finds a loving relationship outside of his/her marriage. Do we punish these people? Do we deny them the chance to make a better life for themselves with a better partner? What happens to women/men who find themselves in abuse relationships? Do they never get a chance to get out?

No, Keep the law out of personal matters, Sure provide some sort of guidance, counselling etc if it is requested but punishment?? Lets not wind back the clock 100 years thanks very much!

While i agree with what you are saying you must also remember that in many countries that marriage is a legal instituiton and NOT just an affair of the heart.And that as such it does need to be governed by laws.

Secondly, I really wish we could wind the clock back a 100 years..at least in regard to marriage, which thanks to the fem-nazis has been almost destroyed as a concept.

[This message has been edited by jackketch (edited 10-02-2006).]

100 years ago women were essentially slaves in their own homes and that was unfortunate, because women have just as much worth and ability to contribute as men do. Marraige should be an equal partnership in whatever way works for the two people involved. But no one should ever have to obey another person if is against their better judgement. I would never just blindly "obey" my husband...I mean I'll do what he wants in most cases if he feels strongly about it, but I'm not one to just take orders. I don't think most other women are either and I don't just mean "feminazis!":P

quote:Originally posted by Xiao Mei:

100 years ago women were essentially slaves in their own homes and that was unfortunate, because women have just as much worth and ability to contribute as men do. Marraige should be an equal partnership in whatever way works for the two people involved. But no one should ever have to obey another person if is against their better judgement. I would never just blindly "obey" my husband...I mean I'll do what he wants in most cases if he feels strongly about it, but I'm not one to just take orders. I don't think most other women are either and I don't just mean "feminazis!":P

If men could give birth then maybe, just maybe, i'd agree about the 'equal partnership' bit.

Partnership is one thing and marriage is another. Partnership is about supposed equal partners working together for a common goal. Marriage is about giving up the notion of individuality..ie two becoming one. In marriage neither is equal or more important.

And i question wether women a century ago were virtual slaves. You probably just mean they hadn't been 'empowered'...poor unenlightened things:P

I bet there were a lot of women that were happy in their roles as housewives and basically dress up dolls for their husbands to show them off.

It only took a couple of women shooting their mouths off to ruin it for everybody. Slaves in their home? I suppose, but you don't see women having to do any of the tasks men had to do back then.

*Cough* War *Cough*

Do you really think women back then would of loved to go riding into battle and get mowed down by gun fire? I doubt it.

Stop kidding yourself, men and women are different, and therefore can't be equal.

A lot of women probably were happy being houswives...But obveiously a large majority weren't, so hence all of the women who marched and lobbied for women's rights. Men and women ARE different, but that doesn't mean they can't be equal...What kind of idiot thinks that differences preclude equality?? (At least in these circumstances)

Just because women can have babies it doesn't mean they are less than men. The advent of affordable, effective birth control has allowed women to have control over their reproduction so that they are no longer slaves to their bodies or limited in their sexuality.

And just because men went to war in the past, it doesn't make them better. If anything it makes them STUPIDER because of the reasons for those wars. (religion *cough* religion, communism *cough* communism)

quote:Originally posted by Byss:

I think that in a marriage contract there should be very specific instructions as to what constitutes adultery, what it's punishment should be, etc. But if there is nothing pertaining to adultery in the marriage contract itself then there should be no legal ramifications.

Marriage is a legally binding contract. The contract spells out each persons rights and duties. One of the things is about loyality to eachother. Trust me cheating is a terrible thing, my moms a cheating whore, and I don't want to tell my dad because a divorce and what not will ensue.

However I feel terrible for not telling my dad. Cheating should be punishable by law, at very least as breach of contract. Personally though I think you should have your nuts cut off, or if your a women be spayed.

quote:Originally posted by Xiao Mei:

A lot of women probably were happy being houswives...But obveiously a large majority weren't, so hence all of the women who marched and lobbied for women's rights. Men and women ARE different, but that doesn't mean they can't be equal...What kind of idiot thinks that differences preclude equality?? (At least in these circumstances)

Just because women can have babies it doesn't mean they are less than men. The advent of affordable, effective birth control has allowed women to have control over their reproduction so that they are no longer slaves to their bodies or limited in their sexuality.

And just because men went to war in the past, it doesn't make them better. If anything it makes them STUPIDER because of the reasons for those wars. (religion *cough* religion, communism *cough* communism)

UHm i think you need to check your facts regarding the statement about 'large majority' of women and how many actually campaigned.

And you misunderstood my reference to having babies. I was implying that that feature of being female actually raises women above men...in some regards.If men could go through a pregnancy and birth then i guess this world would improve a great deal.

What I mean was that a large majority of women must've wanted equality...Since they went along with having it.

And anyway, however they felt in the past, women certainly don't want to be "enslaved" now! At least judging by how many women I meet who look down on me for my more traditional role in marraige.

quote:Originally posted by Xiao Mei:



Just because women can have babies it doesn't mean they are less than men. The advent of affordable, effective birth control has allowed women to have control over their reproduction so that they are no longer slaves to their bodies or limited in their sexuality.



Actually i would argue that the much hailed advent of the pill etc has set back the cause of equal rights for women by several hundred years! It has 'dumbed down' women and has enslaved them anew.

Open the covers of any glossy women's mag and tell me i'm wrong.

The advent of the motor car was wonderful and freed us from the slavery of having to walk. Shame about the rain forests but...

quote:Originally posted by Xiao Mei:



And anyway, however they felt in the past, women certainly don't want to be "enslaved" now! At least judging by how many women I meet who look down on me for my more traditional role in marraige.

While i doubt i would consider your marriage as anything like what i understand as traditional i must agree that these days any woman who dares stay at home is almost a social leper.

Pisses me off no end...especially when the same (female) detractors then complain about the terrible youth of today....

I don't know...Despite my support for feminism, I'm pretty traditional in my role as a wife! Come over to my house on any given day and there I am in a dress, kneading dough for bread and cleaning up what needs to be cleaned!:P Come over at about 3:00 and there I am taking a pie or some cookies out of the oven and brewing coffee as I anxiously watch for my husband to come walking up the driveway.

I'm lucky, though, because I'm a housewife who actually LIKES to cook and clean. It's therapudic for me, because in cooking there's always a happy ending.

I don't know if anyone's mentioned it.

But people in the military get punished if they commit adultery.

My brother in law cheated on my sister with her neighbor, he's in the army. (they're getting a divorce)

He got deranked.

Honestly, I don't see any excuse to cheat. Everyone is in control of their actions, I refuse to accept an answer like "I didn't know what I was doing" "I couldn't control myself"

Bullshit.

quote:Originally posted by Gus:

It's the evolution of society.

In a few hundred years, the idea of having a single partner for more than a night will seem insane.

There isn't much we can do to change that.

Thats not the way it works. It's a wave cycle. Decadence is self limiting. Even now, the largest growing communities in America are 'exurbs', where people are choosing to move away from the larger cities and put more emphasis on moral and family values.

Believe it or not, there is a moral backlash that occurs when society reaches a certain point. When the next generation looks back and says 'wtf?'. Then you begin to see a return to the more conservative values. And then a few generations after that, the children rebel again. And so forth, and so forth.