Moral compass different. Can the marriage be saved?

Jimmy pardent

New Member
Sep 1, 2020
4
0
55
Melbourne
✟8,437.00
Country
Australia
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Separated
inappropriate content topic:
My female friend found her husband had been watching and downloading inappropriate content for years and feels like he's been cheating on her for doing it. He has never physically been unfaithful and in fact, they have only ever had sex with each other (been together for over 30 years). He believes it's purely for entertainment and that he loves sex and looking at women.

They came to a compromise that he wouldn't download or search for inappropriate content (the obvious XXX inappropriate content websites etc) but he thinks anything else that may have or be about nudity is ok. My friend thinks he shouldn't even be searching or looking for things with explicit nudity in them or are of a sexual nature. For the husband, he thinks any nudity is ok to look at but is happy to draw the line at actual inappropriate contentographic websites but still wants to be part of social media groups or watch TV shows or movies that have nudity in them, as he says he enjoys it. He thinks a person should be allowed to see anything and it not affect their marriage and he has no issues with what she sees or does, as long as they are faithful physically and emotionally. He believes she is just a jealous, insecure and a conservative woman who wants to control everything he sees. He thinks it's ok to be turned on visually, as long as you don't cheat or neglect your wife sexually. He tells her he loves her and only her.

Sex quantity doesn't seem a problem as she says they have sex regularly 4- 5 times a week. They even separated over this whole issue but are still seeing a counselor to see if it can be saved. She is a Christian, whereas he is not. They are both reasonable people and respect each others beliefs but have a mismatched moral compass. With 4 kids and 30 years of marriage, is there any way to come to a compromise for these two?

I would love to hear from others opinions about this?
 
Last edited:

snoochface

Meet the new boss -- same as the old boss.
Jan 3, 2005
14,124
2,968
57
San Marcos, CA
✟175,547.00
Faith
Non-Denom
Marital Status
Married
Politics
US-Libertarian
inappropriate content topic:
My girlfriend found her husband had been watching and downloading inappropriate content for years and feels like he's been cheating on her for doing it. He has never physically been unfaithful and in fact, they have only ever had sex with each other (been together for over 30 years). He said it's purely for entertainment and that he loves sex and looking at women.

They came to a compromise that he wouldn't download or search for inappropriate content (the obvious XXX inappropriate content websites etc) but he thinks anything else that may have or be about nudity is ok. My friend thinks he shouldn't even be searching or looking for things with explicit nudity in them or are of a sexual nature. For the husband, he thinks any nudity is ok to look at but is happy to draw the line at actual inappropriate contentographic websites but still wants to be part of social media groups or watch TV shows or movies that have nudity in them, as he says he enjoys it. He thinks a person should be allowed to see anything and it not affect their marriage and he has no issues with what she sees or does, as long as they are faithful physically and emotionally. He believes she is just a jealous, insecure and a conservative woman who wants to control everything he sees. He thinks it's ok to be turned on visually, as long as you don't cheat or neglect your wife sexually. He tells her he loves her and only her.

Sex quantity doesn't seem a problem as she says they have sex regularly 4- 5 times a week. They even separated over this whole issue but are still seeing a counselor to see if it can be saved. She is a Christian, whereas he is not. They are both reasonable people and respect each others beliefs but we have a mismatched moral compass here. With 4 kids and 30 years of marriage, is there any way to come to a compromise for these two?

I would love to hear from others opinions about this?
Are you asking for a friend or yourself? You're a Jimmy talking about a girlfriend's husband but using "we" language.
 
  • Useful
Reactions: Sabertooth
Upvote 0

Sabertooth

Repartee Animal: Quipping the Saints!
Site Supporter
Jul 25, 2005
10,509
7,068
62
Wisconsin
Visit site
✟961,395.00
Country
United States
Faith
Charismatic
Marital Status
Married
Politics
US-Others
No. She needs to maintain her objection. As an unbeliever, he is not likely to change his stance, but she cannot endorse it in good conscience.

It is just part of living in 1 Corinthians 7:12-16,
"But to the rest I, not the Lord, say:

If any brother has a wife who does not believe, and she is willing to live with him, let him not divorce her.
And
a woman who has a husband who does not believe, if he is willing to live with her, let her not divorce him.

For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife,
and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband;
otherwise your children would be unclean, but now they are holy.​
But if the unbeliever departs, let him depart;
a brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases.

But God has called us to peace.
For how do you know, O wife, whether you will save your husband?
Or how do you know, O husband, whether you will save your wife?"​
 
  • Agree
Reactions: NerdGirl
Upvote 0

Jimmy pardent

New Member
Sep 1, 2020
4
0
55
Melbourne
✟8,437.00
Country
Australia
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Separated
Are you asking for a friend or yourself? You're a Jimmy talking about a girlfriend's husband but using "we" language.
Thanks for the question Snooch. I think I've fixed the grammar now hopefully. It is my friend's relationship I'm talking about.
 
Upvote 0

Jimmy pardent

New Member
Sep 1, 2020
4
0
55
Melbourne
✟8,437.00
Country
Australia
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Separated
No. She needs to maintain her objection. As an unbeliever, he is not likely to change his stance, but she cannot endorse it in good conscience.

It is just part of living in 1 Corinthians 7:12-16,
"But to the rest I, not the Lord, say:

If any brother has a wife who does not believe, and she is willing to live with him, let him not divorce her.
And
a woman who has a husband who does not believe, if he is willing to live with her, let her not divorce him.

For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife,
and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband;
otherwise your children would be unclean, but now they are holy.​
But if the unbeliever departs, let him depart;
a brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases.

But God has called us to peace.
For how do you know, O wife, whether you will save your husband?
Or how do you know, O husband, whether you will save your wife?"​
Thanks Sabertooth,
So you think, they should throw away 30 years of marriage (2 dependant kids still) when everything else about the marriage is fine except this? I was hoping for some more constructive advice to give.
 
Upvote 0

Hazelelponi

:sighing:
Site Supporter
Jun 25, 2018
9,375
8,788
55
USA
✟691,408.00
Country
United States
Faith
Baptist
Marital Status
Married
Politics
US-Republican
Thanks for the question Snooch. I think I've fixed the grammar now hopefully. It is my friend's relationship I'm talking about.

In Christianity it's adultery to so much as look at another woman with lust in his heart...

She is not wrong in her objections to it, from the Christian moral standpoint.

On the other side of it, he's likely not wrong from the world's perspective either... the world certainly endorses his point of view, and he's not Christian.

Ultimately, its got to be up to her. She can overlook it and just pray for his soul - it's 30 years of marriage after all, not a mild thing when the guy is at least trying to meet her partway, from his perspective.

Nearly everyone in the west faces constant nudity or a close second on television all around us. It's almost difficult to find "family friendly" television that's not geared to young children..

But I would agree with her that seeking out nudity is something different than deciding you want to watch a show even though it has moments of nudity in it.

She's just going to have to decide for herself how she wants to live, and how much the marriage covanent means to her, what with it being a reflection of Christ's covenant with us...

In her honor of their marriage covenant, even when he is not, she is showing him the faithfulness and the ever outstretched hand of Christ.
 
Upvote 0

Jimmy pardent

New Member
Sep 1, 2020
4
0
55
Melbourne
✟8,437.00
Country
Australia
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Separated
In Christianity it's adultery to so much as look at another woman with lust in his heart...

She is not wrong in her objections to it, from the Christian moral standpoint.

On the other side of it, he's likely not wrong from the world's perspective either... the world certainly endorses his point of view, and he's not Christian.

Ultimately, its got to be up to her. She can overlook it and just pray for his soul - it's 30 years of marriage after all, not a mild thing when the guy is at least trying to meet her partway, from his perspective.

Nearly everyone in the west faces constant nudity or a close second on television all around us. It's almost difficult to find "family friendly" television that's not geared to young children..

But I would agree with her that seeking out nudity is something different than deciding you want to watch a show even though it has moments of nudity in it.

She's just going to have to decide for herself how she wants to live, and how much the marriage covanent means to her, what with it being a reflection of Christ's covenant with us...

In her honor of their marriage covenant, even when he is not, she is showing him the faithfulness and the ever outstretched hand of Christ.

Thankyou so much for the reply Hazelelponi. I totally agree with what you said.
I wonder though, how much is her actually having her Christan moral standpoint and how much is her being insecure about what he sees and using Christianity the reason for objecting? She herself has no problem watching shows with nudity and admits to Magic Mike being her favourite movie that she went with girlfriend to watch. Happily reads and watches 50 shades etc. I know these are, shall we say "tamer" than what the husband had seen but I think the Christianity is a convenient excuse for her objecting to what her husband sees more than anything else.
I'm friends with both parties and just want to give a fair response to both of them.
 
Upvote 0

Hazelelponi

:sighing:
Site Supporter
Jun 25, 2018
9,375
8,788
55
USA
✟691,408.00
Country
United States
Faith
Baptist
Marital Status
Married
Politics
US-Republican
@Jimmy pardent - if she's watching things like 50 shades then it's more the jealousy factor... I believe I'm fairly liberal an individual and not even I would watch that... (although I do sometimes have a hallmark channel day.. lol)

Why don't you speak to them about spicing up their marriage? After 30 years it's perhaps he's gotten decidedly unromatic and she's gotten more insecure in her position - such that she's wanting to be the one to leave before she's the one hurt.

Or, she's not feeling the spice and wanting a change of scenery and is using this as an excuse....

Either way, more romance would likely fix it. She just needs to feel desirable again, and feel confident in her sexuality where he's concerned.

if they can afford, after the vaccine is out perhaps they can take a romantic getaway type of vacation.. he could periodically surprise her with a nice (*higher end so she can dress up) dinner out, or a romantic picnic or three...

Just do romance. After 4 kids and 30 years, it's likely that's either been or felt missing for a while now.

Empty nesters right?
 
Upvote 0

NerdGirl

The untamed daughter
Apr 14, 2020
2,651
3,104
USA
✟65,654.00
Country
United States
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Private
inappropriate content topic:
My female friend found her husband had been watching and downloading inappropriate content for years and feels like he's been cheating on her for doing it. He has never physically been unfaithful and in fact, they have only ever had sex with each other (been together for over 30 years). He believes it's purely for entertainment and that he loves sex and looking at women.

They came to a compromise that he wouldn't download or search for inappropriate content (the obvious XXX inappropriate content websites etc) but he thinks anything else that may have or be about nudity is ok. My friend thinks he shouldn't even be searching or looking for things with explicit nudity in them or are of a sexual nature. For the husband, he thinks any nudity is ok to look at but is happy to draw the line at actual inappropriate contentographic websites but still wants to be part of social media groups or watch TV shows or movies that have nudity in them, as he says he enjoys it. He thinks a person should be allowed to see anything and it not affect their marriage and he has no issues with what she sees or does, as long as they are faithful physically and emotionally. He believes she is just a jealous, insecure and a conservative woman who wants to control everything he sees. He thinks it's ok to be turned on visually, as long as you don't cheat or neglect your wife sexually. He tells her he loves her and only her.

Sex quantity doesn't seem a problem as she says they have sex regularly 4- 5 times a week. They even separated over this whole issue but are still seeing a counselor to see if it can be saved. She is a Christian, whereas he is not. They are both reasonable people and respect each others beliefs but have a mismatched moral compass. With 4 kids and 30 years of marriage, is there any way to come to a compromise for these two?

I would love to hear from others opinions about this?

Her husband is in the wrong. He's lusting and fantasizing about other women. That's immoral and unfaithful no matter how he tries to justify it. Of COURSE she's jealous and insecure; her husband is looking at other women, naked! No, there's no compromise to be had here. I would advise marital counseling and he needs to deal with his inappropriate content addiction.
 
Upvote 0
This site stays free and accessible to all because of donations from people like you.
Consider making a one-time or monthly donation. We appreciate your support!
- Dan Doughty and Team Christian Forums

NerdGirl

The untamed daughter
Apr 14, 2020
2,651
3,104
USA
✟65,654.00
Country
United States
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Private
Thanks Sabertooth,
So you think, they should throw away 30 years of marriage (2 dependant kids still) when everything else about the marriage is fine except this? I was hoping for some more constructive advice to give.

No, the husband should deal with his addiction and unwillingness to be faithful to his wife. Fidelity is not just about what you do with your body, but with your mind.
 
Upvote 0

NerdGirl

The untamed daughter
Apr 14, 2020
2,651
3,104
USA
✟65,654.00
Country
United States
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Private
Thankyou so much for the reply Hazelelponi. I totally agree with what you said.
I wonder though, how much is her actually having her Christan moral standpoint and how much is her being insecure about what he sees and using Christianity the reason for objecting? She herself has no problem watching shows with nudity and admits to Magic Mike being her favourite movie that she went with girlfriend to watch. Happily reads and watches 50 shades etc. I know these are, shall we say "tamer" than what the husband had seen but I think the Christianity is a convenient excuse for her objecting to what her husband sees more than anything else.
I'm friends with both parties and just want to give a fair response to both of them.

This sounds like belated deflecting to avoid staying on point with the OP.
 
Upvote 0