Hello Friends:

An interesting article posted on CNN-World, with a few of my own questions posed at the end:

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Turkey May Drop Adultery Ban

ISTANBUL, Turkey (CNN-World 9/14/2004) -- A senior member of Turkey's ruling party has said a proposed draft law to criminalize adultery has in essence been abandoned.

"Will there be a proposal (to criminalize adultery)? It is very likely that no proposal will be made from (party) members," the party official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Tuesday.

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) -- a group with Islamist roots -- had been expected to submit the controversial amendment on infidelity as part of a reform package for Turkey's penal code.

The reforms are largely intended to help Turkey pursue membership in the European Union -- coveted goal for the secular, democratic and overwhelmingly Muslim nation.

However, many people say criminalizing adultery would be a setback.

Turkey's parliament started debate on the reform package Tuesday amid protests by those who said the draft law would be unfairly applied against women.

The package of law includes tougher punishment for crimes such as rape and torture.

The European Commission is due to publish a long-awaited progress report on Turkey on October 6, according to Reuters. This report will form the basis of a decision by EU leaders at a December summit on whether to launch the accession negotiations.
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My questions:

1. So, apparently it is "legal" to commit adultery in Turkey? Is that different from other European nations or the U.S.? Is it illegal here (in the U.S.) for a person to commit adultery? In the U.S. it may be obnoxious and/or repugnant to commit adultery but I do not think it is illegal.

2. If Turkey is already not unlike other nations in Europe/North America in terms of the legality of adultery, why do they feel need for such a law banning adultery? Is it because adultery is more tolerated/accepted there? Is it because many Islamic cultures promote the "harem" (multiple wive) lifestyle?

3. From other than a "old-fashion values" sort of approach, why would this be such an important issue to legislate?

For the record, I have never committed adultery (other than perhaps like Jimmy Carter... "in my mind") and have no plans to do so.

PipeTobacco