Adultery

Definition

     Adultery(noun)
     (s.)a·dul'·ter·y ; Pronunciation: (ə-dŭl'tə-rē, -trē) 
     (pl.) a·dul·ter·ies
      
  Voluntary sexual intercourse between a married person and a partner other than the lawful spouse.
    
     adultery. (n.d.). The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition.
     Retrieved April 06, 2007, from Dictionary.com website:
     http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/adultery

Biblical History

Insofar as Protestant and Catholic Scripture is concerned, adultery is a physical manifestation of the sin nature; its concept includes actions and thoughts like fornication, lust, or physical/emotional intimacy beyond what is "appropriate" for a married man or woman. In the Bible, adultery is a physical manifestation of the sin nature, where any married person engages in sexual activity with anyone other than his/her spouse. The Torah forbids adultery most notably in the Ten Commandments - its punishment: death. Sexual activity before the context of marriage is known as fornication. "Imaginary" sexual activity outside the context of marriage is known as lust. A supplemental note: this sin nature, according to the Protestant and Catholic Bible, is forgiven for all mankind, on an individual basis, forever, via the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, predicated on belief in Him as the Son of God, and willingness to repent, or turn, from the sin nature.

American Social Morés

As American morés are concerned,adultery is any kind of sexual activity between a married person and a partner other than his/her lawful spouse. It is a legal violation of the legal contract "marriage". Furthermore, in America, adultery is a concept dependent upon one or both individuals involved currently being in a lawfully recognized, contractual, love relationship known as marriage.