Is there ever a justified case for adultery?

[ssnapier]

This is a question that I am sure will get some people fired up so please remain calm. I just want to know if you can see any scenario in which adultery would be justified.

[Beto]

Committing one murder to prevent another is not "saving a life." It is merely trading another's life for your own, and that right belongs to no one.

If you kill another who is about to kill you, that is quite another matter.

Isn't the second action also a murder?

The thing about self-defense is that you're never actually trying to kill the attacker, only to stop them. But without extensive knowledge of martial arts, full force is usually applied with the means at hand. Some handy objects usually result in death of the attacker. A knife in the back or a bullet between the eyes might be considered a notch above self-defense, should common-sense prevail.

[cnorman18]

Committing one murder to prevent another is not "saving a life." It is merely trading another's life for your own, and that right belongs to no one.

If you kill another who is about to kill you, that is quite another matter.

Isn't the second action also a murder?

No.

[FinalEnigma]

Okay about this whole woman's right to her body thing.

It is universally understood, that if you enter into a relationship with someone, you are responsible for caring about that person. If you enter into a relationship with someone, and then do things that hurt them. you are...a whole lot of nasty words.

If I get married, it is understood that I am agreeing not to have sex with random people. if I do, I am wrong. period. It can never be correct, or justified, to break your own commitments.

If im in a relationship with someone, and she has sex outside of it, then has sex with me, and I get a disease from it, then she is wrong. her actions were NOT justified in any way.

Yes you will always be the master of your own body, but you have a resonsibility to NOT horribly screw people you are married to by taking advantage of your right to your own body.

Having an abortion without telling your spouse is pretty shady, but having extra-marital sex and not telling your spouse is morally disgusting.

[Darren]

I am going to edit your post as if I were trying to make it something that I could agree with. It may help us to understand each other....

Okay about this whole woman's right to her body thing.

It is universally understood, that if you enter into a loving relationship with someone, you are responsible for caring about that person. If you enter into a relationship with someone, and then do things that hurt them. you are...a whole lot of nasty words.

If I get married, it may be part of our understanding that I am agreeing not to have sex with random people. if I do, breach a contract in that way, I am wrong. period. It can possibly be justified, to break your own commitments, but the situations which would be justified must be rare indeed.
If im in a relationship with someoneand we have sexual exclusivity as part of our agreed upon contract, and she has sex outside of it, then has sex with me, and I get a disease from it, then she has wronged me. her actions were NOT justified in any way that I could see

I gotta change formats for a moment here, because I don't think I can explain my position on the following matter in the same way.

Yes you will always be the master of your own body, but you have a resonsibility to NOT horribly screw people you are married to by taking advantage of your right to your own body.

I would have left it at "you will always be the master of your own body". Would you have formal, written contracts for all of your friendships? I would not, and have found that the friends which I enjoy most are the ones who have stuck with me for no easy reason (such as geographic location or working on the same projects). The ones who stay friends even though nothing ties them to me.
Every day that my sweetheart stays with me I know that it is because of how much we enjoy each other, and not because of a contract we signed.

Having an abortion without telling your spouse is unusual, but a private matter, but having extra-marital sex and not telling your spouse is morally disgusting if it breaks promises you have made.

Once again, I would like to make it clear that I am not trying to put words into your mouth, just trying to reach a fuller understanding.
By the way, what do you think of the method?

[FinalEnigma]

I dont have a problem with the particular methed, but I would caution that you be careful using it. some readers do not read as carefully as I, and could miss what you are doing. Also, it would be best not to overuse that method, but occasionally for things like that, it is fine.

Random comment: You are the most incredibly liberal person I have ever met

On a side note, I would never have a relationship with someone who feels as you do, because they are flatly stating that I can not trust them.

I am just going to have to say that I disagree with you, and that our disagreement will likely never be solved, and step out of the debate.

[Darren]

I dont have a problem with the particular methed, but I would caution that you be careful using it. some readers do not read as carefully as I, and could miss what you are doing. Also, it would be best not to overuse that method, but occasionally for things like that, it is fine.

Thanks, I did have some concern that it might be easily misunderstood. I would not use it often, but since our positions were so close to each others' (in my eyes) I thought it would work.

Random comment: You are the most incredibly liberal person I have ever met

Thank you, but I think I am really quite conservative by nature.

On a side note, I would never have a relationship with someone who feels as you do, because they are flatly stating that I can not trust them.

Well, it could be argued that we already have a relationship. Also, you are a little mistaken. I am definately trustworthy. I just would much rather do something and not promise, than promise something and not do it.
Also, if you have not made it clear that those sexual mores are part of the relationship you expect, then you certainly can not assume compliance on the part of your partner.
I have a fairly traditional relationship. I don't think my partner would 'fool around'. If she did, it would break our agreement, and same goes for me.
The difference is, I don't require compliance based on an assumption. We have talked about how we will get along, and we agree.
We are not married, and if either of us wanted to, we would leave with very little problem. We stay with each other because we want to. Every day.

I am just going to have to say that I disagree with you, and that our disagreement will likely never be solved, and step out of the debate.

I am not sure if we disagree as strongly as it would seem. I refuse to take the position that adultery could never be justified. Let me give you an example of why...
If someone held a gun to your head, and told you to place your member into someone's mouth, you would be an adulterer (provided you were in an exclusive relationship).
I think you are justified in this case. Obviously. The less obvious thing is that you may be justified for a number of reasons. In fact, if YOU say you are justified, then you are, since you are the 'law' in this case. (in a marriage, there are legal contracts, making someone else 'the law', but I don't think the law was the subject of the OP)

I believe that a person free to cheat, who doesn't, is demonstratably morally superior to someone who doesn't cheat just because there are penalties.