Episode Details

Many women turn to clergy to ask, “Should you stay married after infidelity?” If you’ve been looking to God or clergy for answers (or even friends and family), here’s the truth no one will say out loud. The shocking truth might be that you’re also experiencing emotional abuse. Take our free emotional abuse test to find out.

If you need live support, attend a Betrayal Trauma Recovery Group Session today.

Transcript: Should You Stay Married After Infidelity?

Anne: Women go to clergy, they go to therapists, they go to their family to ask the question, “Should you stay married after infidelity?” Sometimes they just ask Google, even if you’re not religious, this episode will still help you. However, I totally understand. If you are not in the mood to hear a parable from the Bible. Even though I am telling a parable from the Bible today, I invite you if you’re atheist or agnostic to stick around to listen to the principles that I’m gonna talk about.

The principles will apply regardless of your paradigm or faith, whether you’re religious, or what religion you practice. At Betrayal Trauma Recovery, everyone is welcome. I share from my own faith perspective, because this is how I’ve learned so many principles. But I think the principles are universal truths that apply in any situation. And I do not want to proselyte or convert anybody to Christianity. You are welcome here as you are.

What is the shocking truth about infidelity that no one wants to talk about? It is that infidelity is emotional and psychological abuse. So when it comes to deciding if you should stay married, there are some universal principles that I learned by studying Christ’s parables. And this parable is in Luke 18.

I use the King James version of the Bible. I find it a little more vague than some newer translations. The vagueness helps me pray, concentrate, and interpret it the way I think God would want me to interpret it right now in our time.

The Unjust Judge

Anne: The parable of the unjust judge is interesting, because I think Jesus would like people in authority, so clergy or the court system, to help victims of abuse. It’s specifically about a widow. Whenever I read about widows in the scriptures, I, of course, because of the podcast and because of what I do, envision abuse widows. Or women who are widows through no fault of their own.

Their husband or ex-husband might still be alive, but they are left alone, and they are unprotected and not provided for by their husbands. In essence, they have been abandoned even if their husband or ex-husband is still alive. In ancient times, women did not have the ability to make money. They were