Monogamy and Sexually Transmitted Diseases

The Orlando Sentinel takes great delight in reporting on alternatives to marriage as God designed it. Forget all of the encouragement for homosexual "marriages" and even the one discussing "throuples"; they continually encourage their readers to think about non-traditional marriage by reporting on "cheating" sights, such as Ashley Madison. At least two other articles promoting infidelity have appeared recently, as does the one published on September 8, 2015. The title of this one asks the question: "Are Humans Meant to Stay Faithful to Partner for Life?"

The article presents information only from a humanistic perspective. For example, it claims that science can support either a yes or no answer to the question (D3). The problem is that author, Rachel Feltman, ignores God, the Bible, and morality (which comes from God). Neither she nor anyone else will ever be able to properly answer the question by pretending that truth does not exist.

She quotes from the man who was the CEO of Ashley Madison, which even she says revealed its clients as "cheaters." He argues that "science shows monogamy is bunk." (Does science take into account morality?) He claims: "You get married, and after a period of time your sexual attraction to your partner seems to wane." Really? Has he never watched Hart to Hart? If Jonathan's and Jennifer's attraction to each other ever waned, it was not perceptible to the viewer. Although that was fiction, the idea that two people cannot stay attracted to each other is not. For certain individuals, however, the amount of time for attraction to dwindle may coincide with the end of the honeymoon. Some are always going to be drawn to new and different individuals because they think they are "entitled" to others and have no moral compass or conscience to tell them that such an attitude is wrong.

The former CEO alleges: "Monogamy emerged from an economic principle (ownership)…" No, monogamy was created by God when He placed Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. Presumably Adam had the same amount of ribs as most men today. God did not take four of them to make wives for the first man. He only made one woman, and this male and female God joined together as husband and wife. He did not whisper to Adam, "When your sexual attraction begins to wane, tell me, and I'll take another rib."

One might discover all sorts of social and economic advantages to marriage: Since God designed the institution, there are probably plenty of them. But the original intent was for each man to have his own wife and for each woman to have her own husband (1 Cor. 7:1-5). This arrangement fulfills God purpose and works best when neither party considers unfaithfulness or divorce. Sure, it is more economical than paying alimony, but it is due to the infallible design.

Furthermore, a family of one husband and one wife is the ideal situation into which children can be born. Anyone who doubts that fact should take a look at how well children do (on average) with some other system. The husband and wife also typify Christ and the church (Eph. 5:22-23). Jesus is only going to have one bride, and she is only going to have one Husband. No polygamy will exist, and no divorce will be sought. The Lord will have no mistress on the side. The two shall eternally belong to one another. In light of such an endless togetherness, surely fifty years (or more) is not too much to expect for human beings.

The former CEO says: "I don't think men ever had an intent to be monogamous." He claims it is unnatural. Sure it is unnatural—for men who do not control their lustful attitudes. Lamech (Gen. 4:19) was one such person; he was the first man to take two wives. Incidentally, if one can lose his sexual attraction for one wife, is it not possible that he might lose it for two wives? Five? (Does the former CEO want to suggest a stopping point?) But Lamech was the exception. So far as we know Adam never had another wife than Eve, and he lived 930 years. Monogamy is only unnatural to those who have no intention of abiding by God's will.

Goose-y Versus Goof-y

The author of the article under review reports that only about 5% of mammals are monogamous. A professor of sociology opines: "I don't think we are a monogamous animal"—to which it ought to be replied, "I don't think human beings are an animal, period!" In fact, we know that to be the case because God created us in His own image (Gen. 1:26-28). Many human beings have chosen to join the 95% non-monogamous mammals, but how does the professor explain the 50% or so people who are faithful? Which group is deviating from the norm—the faithful or the "cheaters"? To ask the question is to answer it. When one "cheats," he is refusing to abide by a required standard. Hmm.

Rachel Feltman, the writer of this article, is the one who said that those using Ashley Madison were revealed as "cheaters." In response to the professor's claim that a really monogamous animal is a goose, she asks, "Should we be striving toward that goose-y standard?" But the goose is not our standard of morality, God (who made the goose—and us) is the One to Whom we pay attention. The goose is not trying to be moral. Animals have no such scruples. When man conforms to God's standard, however, he has chosen to conduct himself in a moral way. Christian men especially know what Jesus taught about mental adultery (Matt. 5:27-28). Setting the goose up as our standard tends to trivialize monogamy. So if we are to be characterized as "goose-y," well, it is better than being goof-y, which those who reject God's standards certainly are (foolish).

Smart Strategy

A psychiatrist cited in the article concedes that a man and a woman pairing up with one another is "a pretty smart reproductive strategy." Surely, the Lord will appreciate the compliment. For six thousand years, He has probably been wondering if He devised the right system, but now it has been confirmed by a 21st-century psychiatrist. Whew! That's a relief. Here is another astounding fact: "There's also evidence that some polygamy might lead to a more tumultuous lifestyle." No kidding? Whodathunkit?

Apparently, most people and some reporters have forgotten the evils of polygamy that once plagued this nation, thus causing people to rise up and insist on its eradication. In the late 1800s, Brigham Young's 27th wife was able to escape (this word is not an exaggeration) from the Mormons who practiced polygamy. She eventually traveled around the country to deliver lectures on the evils of the practice (see the book review elsewhere on the website), and the practice was outlawed. No one should be surprised if polygamy now resurfaces. Undoubtedly when a county clerk (probably in Utah) authorizes a marriage license for one man and two women, supporters will be at the court house, shouting, "Love wins! Love wins!"

Stupid Strategy, Painful Results

Another article in the Orlando Sentinel, published before the one cited above, relates to the topic. On August 28, 2015 was published the latest report about STDs in Florida. It began on the front page (mirabile dictu) and continued on page two. The first sentence is rather lengthy (but quite informative).

The rates of three STDs—chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis—have been climbing steadily in Central Florida for the past two decades, while Orange County reported the third-highest number of HIV cases in 2014, and the state leads the nation in the number of newly diagnosed HIV cases (A1).

One thing is certain: "Those following the "goose-y" standard are not the ones rushing to see doctors and desiring to be tested. It must be the "goof-ies" who were foolish enough to reject God's ways. So what are all those people using Ashley Madison thinking of? Do they think those advertising for affairs are as pure as the wind-driven snow? Hello!

What are such people thinking—that they will find romance with someone else who is willing to be unfaithful to his/her mate? Does it not occur to them that anyone who is willing to cheat once might be willing to cheat twice—on the wife and on the mistress? It is not for nothing that the word cheating is applied to the breaking of one's marriage vows. As far as an Ashley Madison user knows, the person being hooked up with is as promiscuous as the day is long. No wonder STDs are increasing in number.

Causes?

"Local officials say many factors contribute to the rise in STD infections" (A2). Following is their analysis.

1. On-line hookup sites

2. Lack of sex education

3. Reduced fear from dying from HIV infections (A2)

The online sites are a temptation; a lack of sex education is probably rare; reduced fear is an encouragement (in that the consequences are minimized), but for some reason the most important factor was not mentioned, which would be:

LACK OF ADHERENCE TO BIBLICAL STANDARDS

How odd that the reporter did not think of this reason! If people are taught to "flee fornication" (1 Cor. 6:18) and that fornication and adultery are sins (1 Cor. 6:9-11), they just might try abstaining from them—especially if they know that "fornicators and adulterers God will judge" (Heb. 13:4).

Of course, just having a knowledge of these facts will not deter anyone unless they first believe in God and in the Lord Jesus Christ. Having a knowledge of spiritual truth, which lasts forever (Matt. 24:35), is the real means of avoiding these diseases. Knowing God and His Word helps prevent Christians from getting into situations in which they would knowingly violate the teachings they believe. And if they should give in to temptation, their consciences will bother them because they have violated the truths they have been taught. Of course, people can sear their consciences and maybe even convince themselves that they did nothing wrong. But they know the penalty that awaits them.

The sad thing is that those who are walking after the flesh and not after the Spirit think that if they get a disease, they can just go get treated for it, and everything will be fine. But even if no physical consequences for immoral behavior existed at all, it would still violate the way God created us—the way we can behave. We have the ability to discipline our thinking and to exercise self-control. We have the ability to ignore all of the enticements of the world to commit sin and to be faithful both to God and our mate.

One other factor that has contributed to the rise of HIV is sharing needles for heroin or other drugs. This problem too arises from a lack of trust in God. Christians do not need alcohol, marijuana, narcotics, heroin, etc.—unless it is part of a medical treatment. Minds need to be sharp, not dulled; Christians must be sober and vigilant in order to avoid all of the techniques that Satan uses to deceive (1 Peter 5:8). Many people think the answer to society's problems is government or social programs. The fact is that youth and all segments of society need spiritual education—the very thing that writers of these articles ignore altogether. No social problem has a solution when the cause of it is disobedience to God. How can people not see that?