1.2.5 Adultery

Question 1

What is adultery?

Answer 1

Adultery is voluntary sexual intercourse between a married person and someone who is not their spouse (husband or wife).

Question 2

Why does Christianity teach that adultery is wrong? (8)

Answer 2

• Marriage is sexually exclusive and should not be shared with anyone else.
• The Ten Commandments forbid adultery:
  “You shall not commit adultery.”
  Exodus 20:14
• Marriage is a sacrament in the Catholic Church and a gift from God in all Churches, and adultery goes against this.
• Committing adultery destroys the special relationship between a husband and wife.
• Adultery breaks the marriage vow of faithfulness.
• Adultery does not model the faithfulness Christ has for his Church.
• Committing adultery can harm the family unit and cause the partner to feel cheated and betrayed.
• Adultery is not good for people or for society in general.

Question 3

Even though adultery is a sin as far as Christians are concerned, what did Jesus teach about this issue?

Answer 3

Even though adultery is a sin as far as Christians are concerned, Jesus recognised that all people sin and should be forgiven. So, when an adulterous woman was brought to Jesus, he refused to condemn her, but encouraged her not to continue sinning
(John 8:2-11).

Question 4

What does Buddhism teach about adultery?

Answer 4

Buddhism teaches that adultery is unskilful. This means that it can cause harm to others and, consequently, harm oneself. This is because of the principle of karma: actions have proportionate effects.

Question 5

What reasons does Buddhism give as to why adultery is unskillful? (7)

Answer 5

• It breaks the third Precept, which warns against sexual misconduct.
• It is likely to involve breaches of other Precepts: lying, deceit, humiliation, cruelty and possibly, intoxication.
• It can lead to the development of negative emotions, such as anger, hatred and selfishness.
• It destroys the trust that should exist between a married couple.
• It disregards the responsibilities that married couples have towards each other according to the Sigalovada Sutta: love, respect, kindness, consideration and faithfulness.
• It is motivated by the Three Poisons: selfishness, hatred and ignorance.
• It is a form of attachment that will cause suffering.