Cyber-Adultery

According to Dr. Craig and other therapists in a report by the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, the internet will soon become the most common form of infidelity, if it isn't already. Indeed, the internet has provided people with accessible ways to inflict wounds on the family by violating marriage vows. These can be in the form of pornography, erotic fantasy, illicit relationships, and cyber-affairs.

A 32-year-old local woman, running a home-based business, had frequent online chats with a foreigner while her husband was away or taking care of their kids. It developed into an affair, which eventually led to a deceptive arrangement to meet in another country and engage in actual "live" affair. When her husband caught her cheating, it developed deep emotional wounds and feelings of betrayal, loss, devastation, and anger.

"The ultimate threat to marriages today is not the external stressors but what's going on internally," says Dr. Craig. He further observes, "People are more focused on making themselves happy, rather than doing what is right." Cyber-adultery or online infidelity is an epitome of this selfish mentality. It can be a debilitating illness (even a crime) that destroys marriages and families as well as the lives of innocent children.

This is a problem that can be overcome. But definitely, people caught in this woundedness need professional, holistic intervention in all areas - psychologically, emotionally, materially, and spiritually.