Re the seriousness of adultery in historic times;

Considering most marriages were arranged between families;
It could disturb the ownership & inheritance of land.

At the risk of adding to the silliness.

Bazz...

>>Re the seriousness of adultery in historic times; Considering most marriages were arranged between families; It could disturb the ownership & inheritance of land.<<

Is adultery more or less likely to "disturb the ownership & inheritance of land" than murder?

And Josephus...

>>The question remains did God place boundaries on human behaviour that has hurtful consequence if not followed. If one stubs his toe on a sharp rock does it hurt?<<

The problem with that is simply that there are so many examples of human behaviour that have hurtful consequences, not merely those that result from transgressions - perversions, if you will. I see nothing in the commandments that addresses the potential consequences of, for example, sky diving. An activity that involves not a skerrick of coveting a neighbour's ox, let alone a hint of illicit rumpy pumpy.

Yet there have been instances of significant discomfort resulting from an absence of timely parachute-opening, often more painful than a stubbed toe.

You can illustrate my point diagrammatically using a grid with four quadrant: The x axis being with/without God's approval, the y being with/without "hurtful consequences". Your focus is on the quadrant "God disapproves/hurtful consequence", but there are three other possibilities. "God disapproves/no hurtful consequences" might be one that you find fault with, I accept that. But where is the justification, in your eyes, for the quadrant "God approves/hurtful consequences", which is where my hapless sky-diver finds himself?

The basic problem with your model is that the definition of what God approves and disapproves changes over time. Fish on Fridays, Latin Mass, Holy Wars etc. go in and out of favour.

On which topic I'd appreciate a Christian perspective on climate change. Given that "hurtful consequences" are predicted, what have been the perversions/iniquities we humans have indulged in to reap such a majorly stubbed toe??

Pericles, "Only if the sheila knocks off the old bastard so she can enjoy a bit of ex marital slap and tickle with her new toy boy." Exeronmus XII verse MVIII. a loose translation from the Latin.....I think, maybe, not sure, could be, sorry... of the subject folks.

A bit clever Pericles,
Not sure if you are just pulling my leg or your serious.

Religion had nothing to do with it.
If the adultery resulted in a child, the father might claim for his
son the land of the mother's family.
Either way it doesn't take much imagination to understand how much
trouble it would cause when you see how they react to a few cartoons.

Pericles/Bazz what do you think of celibacy of the clergy within today's
Catholic Church.

Here is a brief history;

http://www.futurechurch.org/fpm/history.htm

Paul,
I think it is bloody stupid !
Note the different atmosphere in Protestant church gatherings with the
Minister and his wife present.