Criminalizing adultery

[woot]

One of the arguments against legalizing gay marriage that comes up so often is that it will eliminate traditional male-female monogamy as the foundation of society. It seems to me that adultery poses a far greater threat to that foundation than gay marriage would. It therefore seems like those who want gay marriage to stay illegal would also be calling for the criminalization of adultery. Perhaps some have been doing so and I haven't noticed? Would anyone here be in favor of such legislation?

Also, for the lawyers, it seems that adultery already has repercussions in custody and divorce proceedings. Does adultery simply inform a judge's subjective judgment in such cases or is there actually something on the books?

[Commando]

Unless I'm mistaken, adultery is a crime.

[TripletDaddy]

I seem to recall that adultery has been criminalized for ages, but rarely or never prosecuted. It is one of those arcane laws that manages to stay on the local books but never seems to get repealed.

Is this accurate?

[Soccermom]

I seem to recall that adultery has been criminalized for ages, but rarely or never prosecuted. It is one of those arcane laws that manages to stay on the local books but never seems to get repealed.

Is this accurate?

According to wikipedia it is accurate. The military seems to take it pretty seriously, no?

[Indy Coug]

Has someone been arrested for illegally performing gay marriages?

[SeattleUte]

One of the arguments against legalizing gay marriage that comes up so often is that it will eliminate traditional male-female monogamy as the foundation of society. It seems to me that adultery poses a far greater threat to that foundation than gay marriage would. It therefore seems like those who want gay marriage to stay illegal would also be calling for the criminalization of adultery. Perhaps some have been doing so and I haven't noticed? Would anyone here be in favor of such legislation?

Also, for the lawyers, it seems that adultery already has repercussions in custody and divorce proceedings. Does adultery simply inform a judge's subjective judgment in such cases or is there actually something on the books?

Adultery is not supposed to matter at all in custody and divorce proceedings. It has no relevance to the property separation part of it (unless the cheating spouse has been buying expensive gifts for the paramour) and all that matters in the child custody part is "the best interests of the children" (it's generally a cardinal rule that adultery absent more is ot relevant to this consideration). However, divorce lawyers often caution that it can taint a judge's perceptions in the event of a trial.

[woot]

Interesting that it's already illegal. What is the punishment supposed to be? Is this similar to the various old laws against sodomy or against non-believers running for public office that aren't enforced? How often are people arrested for adultery?

[happyone]

According to wikipedia it is accurate. The military seems to take it pretty seriously, no?

It depends. If it is with someone in your chain of command, yes very seriously forr oth parties

[creekster]

This is a red herring. Adultery to traditional marriage is NOT the same as gay marriage ot traditional marriage. That's bad logic.

[woot]

This is a red herring. Adultery to traditional marriage is NOT the same as gay marriage ot traditional marriage. That's bad logic.

Creekster, please reread my original post. You're bombing territory I haven't occupied.

[Indy Coug]

So has anyone been arrested for illegally performing gay marriages?

[byu71]

I would think a good argument among the liberal folks, like Hollywood, would be that important bonding and a good relationship comes from non-adulterous relationships. Also cohabitation and sexual encounters should only happen in the bonds of marriage.

I would like to see Hollywood come out and say, not allowing gays to marry forces them into the sinful practice of living together without being married.

[Jarid in Cedar]

Creekster, please reread my original post. You're bombing territory I haven't occupied.

But the explosions look cool from a distance.

[creekster]

Creekster, please reread my original post. You're bombing territory I haven't occupied.

So I am. That is bad reading comprehension. Mine. I am still unnerved at having been so publicly outed for agreeing with SU. Some of you wear such assocaition as a badge. For me, it is my scarlett letter.

[TripletDaddy]

I am still unnerved at having been so publicly outed for agreeing with SU. Some of you wear such assocaition as a badge. For me, it is my scarlett letter.

frankly my dear, I don't give a damn!