inclusive or otherwise. I will establish a variety of contexts along the same lines and .
apply a moral principle to them in order to determine whether they are acceptable acts or .
not. .
As I begin to explore variables and provide individual contexts I.
would like to begin with only the slightest variations to the traditional view. In supposing .
that adultery is an extramarital sexual act, let me first then explore 'sexual act". If a sexual .
act is defined by physical contact, the extent of contact must be specified. The body parts .
involved, whether or not orgasm was achieved, and whether the contact was initiated and .
active or simply received. If by sexual relations, it extends to the mental level, one must .
account for a multitude of discrepancies. Can thoughts of sexual acts with others .
constitute adultery, can elemental sexual attractions, and what about of whom one was .
thinking of while performing a sexual act. If thinking about someone other than a spouse .
is that adultery, and if sleeping with someone other than a spouse but thinking of that .
spouse is that adultery. If verbal sexual relations constitute adultery again one is faced .
with the task of specifying the grounds. .
Aside from sexual relations one must decide if other .
components of a relationship also be categorized as adulterous. Matters such as .
friendship, intimacy, communication, spiritual bonding, and support might also be deemed .
as contingent in a marriage, whereas the denial or sharing of these with a person outside of .
wedlock might be immoral. One must consider if it is adulterous to share these with a .
spouse and a third person jointly, or only to share them with a third person instead of a .
spouse. Circumstances wherein one of these elements is shared with a friend or family .
member instead of a spouse might be considered. Whether or not a couple have .
previously shared these elements, asking if the adulterous act is then as a matter of result .