I was sickened to see an advert on Australian television for the internet dating site 'Ashley Madison' that carries the slogan 'Life is short. Have an affair'. The website proudly boasts over 35 million anonymous members and unashamedly encourages married couples to cheat on their partners.
It claims to be the 'most famous name in infidelity and married dating'1. I never thought the words 'dating' and 'married' would ever be joined together in a phrase.
Ashley Madison was founded over 10 years ago and doesn't stand alone in this despicable business. There are many other dating websites that encourage infidelity. Sadly, it's obvious these websites are still in business because there's a market for it. They have turned infidelity into a money making business like prostitution and pornography. Forget immorality, bring in the money!
Nothing new under the sun
I am well aware that infidelity is nothing new under the sun. However does that mean it should be encouraged? The site founder, Noel Biderman, actually believes his site is preserving many marriages2. But is adultery ever acceptable?
Society has in no doubt changed. What really gets to me is that these days, people tend to glorify things that are bad. It is evident in the media, television and the internet. Infidelity is but a part of the many bad things that are praised today. TV shows like 'Dating Naked' were contestants literally date while naked, make indecency look pleasurable.
To an interview in Elle magazine with world known rapper Ludacris admitting to making music specifically for strip clubs3. Is this the kind of mindset we want our children to have?
I believe that many would agree that infidelity destroys marriages, relationships and families.
The sanctity of Marriage
Marriage is sacred. It is exclusive to a man and a woman. I believe that marriage was created by God. The bible tells us that God created man, but because no suitable helper was found for man, God created woman. A man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife and they become one flesh [Genesis chapter 2 verses 20-24]. In addition, the seventh commandment tells us that we should not commit adultery.
Marriage should be honoured by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral [Hebrews chapter 13 verse 4].
Someone might argue that these are all Christian principles. One cannot impose their beliefs on others. I agree. I know I cannot stop people from doing as they please, and I cannot impose my own beliefs on others. At the end of the day, it is an individual choice - right?
But who decides the immoral from moral? Who decides right from wrong? In an ever changing culture that decides something isn't okay today, then flips and decides is okay tomorrow, how can I be sure morality and immorality will have the same definition tomorrow?
With no single absolute authority, it all becomes subjective. Will murder ever be acceptable?
This is why I choose to stick to the absolute word of God. The fact that God's word and character is unchanging - is the same yesterday, today and forevermore. It gave life over 2000 years ago and still continues to breathe life today. The same principles applied thousands of years ago, and still apply today.
I am sticking to the morality I know as defined by its creator God. It will never be okay to murder. It will never be okay to steal. It will never be okay to lie. It will never be okay to commit adultery.
We truly need forgiveness, for we do not know what we are doing.
Notes:
- www.ashleymadison.com, access date 1/06/15
- Siobhan Duck & Katherine Firkin, "Aussie desperate for affair as thousands sign up for ashleymadison.com", Herald Sun, 12 April 2010: http://www.heraldsun.com.au/archive/news/aussie-desperate-for-affair-as-thousands-sign-up-for-ashleymadisoncom/story-e6frf7l6-1225852502872
- Mickey Rapkin, "Runaway Love", Elle April 15 NO.356 Shailene Woodley p. 350
Kandima Awendila was born in ambique and lives and works as an IT Service Desk Engineer on the Gold Coast.
Kandima Awendila's archive of articles may be viewed at www.pressserviceinternational.org/kandima-awendila.html