Adultery - GCSE Religious Studies Definition

What is Adultery?

In GCSE Religious Studies, adultery is generally understood as voluntary sex between a married person and someone who is not their husband or wife. It is also known as sex outside marriage.

What are religious attitudes towards adultery?

All religions teach that adultery is wrong. This is because it involves secrecy, lies, and the breaking of trust between a married couple. When a couple enters into a marriage in Christianity or Islam, they make promises or vows to be faithful for life to each other before God. Adultery breaks this commitment and goes against one of the Ten Commandments, which all Christians should obey. It is condemned as wrong in both the Bible and the Qur’an.

Another reason that adultery is seen as wrong is because sex is viewed as a gift from God and must be managed responsibly. This means that the only place for sex is within a committed relationship - for many Christians and all Muslims, this is within the context of a marriage.

Adultery Revision Resources to Ace Your Exams

You can learn more about religious attitudes towards adultery in our GCSE Religious Studies revision notes pages:

Human Sexuality (AQA GCSE Religious Studies A (8062))

Christianity and sexual relationships (Edexcel GCSE Religious Studies B)

Islam & Sexual Relationships (Edexcel GCSE Religious Studies B)

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