by Gary Kent

Created on: July 03, 2007

Affairs are only are a 'forgivable sin' if you are from a Christian background, and even then that is dependable on the three, or more, individuals involved.

We must be very naive to believe that when we meet that 'special' person, normally when we are our teens or early twenties, that this is the 'real' thing ( whatever that means) and that we shall sail off into the sunset to live happily ever after.

Life isn't like that. Check out the divorce statistics.

And anyway, who are we to say what is a sin; and in whose eyes?

In many religions across the Globe men take on numerous concubines and in some,albeit rare situations, women have more than more than one husband. So, from a typically moralistic Christian viewpoint who is the adulterer in those situations?

Of course we would all like to think we will stay with the same partner through 'sickness and health', for 'richer or poorer', and 'for better or worse'.
And do not forget this was the Christian wedding mantra which insisted, until recent years, on the woman vowing to 'Honor and obey' her potential philanderer - or vice versa!

The test of any relationship, irrespective of religion, is what you think and feel about the person you are with. Or in the case of the African tribeswoman, the person you are with for only a few moments because you have to share Him with five others!

We are brainwashed into thinking from an early age that when you get to the stage where you think that you 'love' some-one you can only feel that way about that person and no other - and no body else had better impinge of your feelings... or else!

Why? During my Christian upbringing I was always taught sharing is good!

Seriously though, if you have any aspirations about keeping the person you're
with till 'death us do part' then try to understand what they do and why they do it.
The test,and strength, of any relationship is when things go off the straight and narrow. If it means that much to you you'll find a way, together, to put your relationship on a good old-fashioned Christian even keel.

And now it's cliche time.

Fact is, it doesn't really matter what your wife or husband has done to your feelings, you can forgive their indiscretions because you love them, and for all you romantics out there isn't it true that 'love conquers all'?

In conclusion, adultery is forgivable sin, but it really does depend on the people involved.

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