Sites That Help Married People Cheat

By Selwyn Duke

There's a lot of trash on the Internet, but I cannot think of too much that's worse than what I read about today: Websites that facilitate adultery.

Sadly but not surprisingly, this is becoming big business.  There are many entities cashing in on this dark trade, such as meet-to-cheat.com, illicitencounters.com, lovinglinks.co.uk, and ashleymadison.com.   And what they all have in common is that they limit membership to married or cohabiting people.

The idea is that single people have less at stake, whereas the attached are "equally yoked" in terms of risk.  Moreover, the  sites are geared toward those who are looking only for flings, those who have no intention of  leaving their spouses, girlfriends or boyfriends.

Although I haven't explored these sites and don't intend to, Ashley Madison seems as odious as any.  Its motto is "When Monogamy Becomes Monotony," and, as this Telegraph piece puts it,

The site makes no bones about being a place where you can realise your every sexual fantasy. On joining, you are obliged to choose from a list of "encounters you'd be open to". I won't go into detail but it's like joining a giant international brothel. For the sexually addicted, it offers a quick and powerful fix; it's the crack-cocaine, trance-inducing addictive modern version of adultery. 

Ashley Madison is run by a skunk named Darren Morgenstern, who justifies his immoral trade with a press release stating,

"As social behavior evolves, a percentage of the population is even questioning whether we were even meant to be monogamous. Maybe it is no longer a case of whether monogamy is right but if it is right for each individual."

How original, moral relativism.  Who 'da thunk it?

The rationalization continues,

"For its part, the Ashley Madison Agency neither condones nor condemns the act.

'Our service is not meant to glorify or promote infidelity' say's [sic] Darren Morgenstern . . . ."

No, just make money off it.

And, lastly, Morgenstern says,

'We're simply offering a safe and anonymous way for people to communicate with each other once they've made up their mind to explore options outside their relationship'.

'Nobody can 'create' this kind of market and people can't be convinced to stray. This type of societal truism (infidelity) is already out there and always will be'.

Of course, you could apply this to most anything.  Why not sell illegal drugs or connect hitmen with potential customers?  Hey, the market already exists.

The truth is that people such as Morgenstern are worse than drug dealers.   And what makes his skin-dealing even more stomach-turning is how he tries to whitewash it with charitable endeavors reflecting a libertine philosophy.  Through what he calls the "Ashley Morgan Foundation," he says they are ". . . committed to protecting and enhancing principles of personal freedom and social justice." 

The feign at goodness continues,

A belief in individual rights, the human condition, the positive impact of women on modern day society in business, sex and family life, the evolution of female sexuality and the democratic principles upon which this country was founded are the basis for Ashley Madison’s philosophy and our corporate giving program.

As of 2005, when the Ashley Madison Foundation will be formally established, we intend to donate to nonprofit organizations addressing critical issues in the areas of civil rights and civil liberties, freedom of expression, human sexuality, women’s rights and health.

I suppose this is how Morgenstern softens his pillow and hopes to expiate his sins.

Honestly, I respect pimps on the street more than this reprobate.  At least with them there is no pretense; they don't seek absolution at the altar of political correctness.  They are honest about what they do.