same problem 2000 years later

St Asterius of Amasea talks to us today about a problem that hasn't changed in 2000 years (or more). He tells us about this problem today in A Year with the Church Fathers.

Apparently in Asterius's time (350AD) there was a double standard. Women were expected to be faithful to their husbands, and there was a law against their promiscuity. However, "boys will be boys" was how the law read (though in Latin) for the expectation of men.

Christina Aguilera (above) also addresses this double standard. She goes the wrong direction, though, and says that women should be able to sleep with whomever they please as well.

The problem goes all the way back to Jesus's time (and beyond), since we see the WOMAN caught in adultery who is brought before Him to be stoned. What about the man who was in that adultery? Nowhere to be seen.

Now, Jesus's answer was "let Him without sin cast the first stone", and the older men realized that they didn't foot the bill, so they left. The younger guys followed suit. The only person present who was qualified to throw that first stone said, "Neither do I condemn you. Go and sin no more." It's interesting to note that the woman never even asks for forgiveness or mercy. Jesus lavishes His love, grace, and forgiveness on her... just like He pours His blessings on all of us today, without our even asking for them.

That's the best answer we're going to find to this question. But ol' Asterius has some good thoughts on the subject as well. He says that men AND women are expected to remain faithful and not just have relations with whomever they please. This type of fidelity produces all kinds of good in society, and the lack of this fidelity produces all kinds of evils.

Let's choose the goods.

God, thanks for giving us great answers to an age-old problem.