Treason Against Society

"Because the state is steadily encroaching on the two basic social responsibilities of the family, the custody of property and of children, the state is relegating adultery to the realm of things peripheral and relatively unimportant. Not until the authority of the family in this area is re-established will adultery again become a menace to society rather than a form of entertainment. At present, adultery is seen as a personal matter and as an aspect of personal experience and pleasure, nothing more."

In all cultures where the family's authority over property and children has existed, or has been re-established, adultery inescapably becomes one of the most fearful crimes, and there is a long history of brutal tortures and reprisals against offenders. The relationship is inescapable: where an offense is treason against society, there particularly severe penalties are imposed.

The Biblical answer thus is to re-establish the family in its functions, protect it in its integrity, and then penalize its offenders. In a healthy society, treason is a rare crime. In a truly Biblical law-order, adultery will also be rare...."

-R.J. Rushdoony from The Institutes of Biblical Law