ADULTERY — AND HYPOCRISY
When it comes to the question of adultery, American politics is rich pickings — especially when it comes to the Democrat party.
Recent controversies about President-elect Donald Trump’s nominees for key positions in his upcoming administration highlights the sheer, blatant hypocrisy of politicians in the USA where adultery, proven or not, is a potent weapon against opponents.
Talk about glass houses.
I mean, Democratic presidents were well known for it, and by and large, no big deal was made of it.
There was Ted Kennedy reportedly on the receiving act of a sex act with a staffer who caused him to run off a narrow bridge and crash, killing Mary Jo Kopechne instantly. It may have cost him the presidency.
Not to mention President John Kennedy whose dalliances, especially with Marilyn Monroe, weren’t just well known, but added to his mystique— especially given the fact that some of his lovers died in mysterious circumstances. One if his lovers, Judith Exner, famously claimed to have had an abortion after she became pregnant with the president’s child — hypocrisy in itself, given Kennedy’s religious convictions.
Then there was President Bill Clinton who was infamously impeached for not having sexual intercourse with Monica Lewinsky but her dress said otherwise, and it’s reported that he had found a new, unique use for cigars.
President Lyndon B. Johnson was said to be ‘moody, depressive, lecherous and lusty’ and from all reports ‘collected women, and felt entitled to their services’. His infidelity was legendary.
There are so many more examples.
The thing is, most were Democrats — the same party that still pretends it has a mortgage on morality. Such hypocrisy to watch it seeking any sexual dirt of any kind on Donald Trump’s appointmentsk, like it’s doing to Pete Hegseth.
But it does bring the question of adultery into focus.
Of course it’s not confined to politicians. We’re all likely suspects.
While no one can deny that it is the most disrespectful thing a person can do to their partner — an egregious act which threatens the binds of marriage — I doubt there is a single person who can honestly plead innocent, tnhough most will.
Of course, the morally righteous, the do-gooders and the heavy-duty tut-tutters will condemn it outright, but I’d contend there’s a lot of hypocrisy by many when it comes to this subject, especially by those who condemn it the loudest.
And it’s not as if God isn’t aware of our predilection to stray. The fact that the Bible has many passages dealing with adultery indicates that God in His wisdom knew well that most of us are liable to falter — even those who profess a Christian ethic.
Matthew 5:28 states: “But I say, anyone who even looks at a woman with lust in his eye has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” That passage suggests it is primarily aimed at men, but I daresay it applies to both sexes. Women might profess a higher ethic and the moral heights, but in my experience, are equally apt to fall.
But just looking is lustful? That;’s a tough ask of anyone.
Think on it. Who isn’t guilty of looking? It might be a favourite movie star or a pop star or a sportsman/woman or just the person next door? Who can honestly say they haven’t thought of sex with someone other than their partner?
Whoever denies it is surely a liar.
So it does beg the question — is the act of adultery worse than the thought of doing it? Or are they equally sinful?
Let’s face it…the world is full of temptation.
Witness how many CEO’s ensure they are surrounded by good sorts. The movie Bombshell centres on just one miscreant — Roger Ailes, the head of FOX and a sultan of a harem of beautiful talking heads he took advantage of. Harvey Weinstein the same — a man who made a glutton of himself, who could make or break starlets based on who was prepared to surrender to his sexual appetite and position of power.
Is it just a coincidence that men in any office mostly surround themselves with women, enjoying having them close at hand, or fussing and fluttering around them?
Don’t tell me there isn’t a sneaky thought by one for the other.
Surely we are ALL condemned.
It also highlights the question of adultery, per se.
