[ArGee]

Yes, I think that this abuse would be illegal. But we are both aware of the difficulty of pursuing these cases when a spouse does not press charges or, in many cases, does not even involve law enforcement. But, this is not the equivalent in my mind. I think we would both agree that in the case of spouse abuse that one party did not consent to the abuse.

But we can't be sure. There is wierd sex and people seem to be into masochism. So unless the wife admits she is abused, is she? If she willingly stays in the relationship and protects her husband, isn't it a consensual and protected relationship?

Herein is my biggest point. You and I might believe that the wife must be mentally ill to suffer the abuse. It is probable that she needs therapy to understand why she keeps subjecting herself to such abuse but she would deny anything is wrong until after she has been successfully treated. Afterwords she might thank us, but beforehand she might fight us. Would we be right or wrong to keep silent because the relationship is consensual and nobody else is being hurt?

And, knowing that homosexual attraction is also a mental illness, are we right or wrong for keeping silent?

Are you suggesting that the doctor or abused spouse is guilty for not involving law enforcement?

In many cases the doctor does violate a law, but that is a different issue.

I am not certain if you mean emotional, physical or spiritual protection. But wouldn't you agree that there are countless legal behaviors that many would say present a risk to a person?

I would. And I would also agree that they are symptomatic of a mental impairment (perhaps more or less ill-suited to our society) that would benefit the individual to have treated. But since some of those lines are too fine for me to draw, I'll focus on the bold ones.

Same-sex attraction disorder is not a fine line.

Shalom.

[Dolphy]

Herein is my biggest point. You and I might believe that the wife must be mentally ill to suffer the abuse. It is probable that she needs therapy to understand why she keeps subjecting herself to such abuse but she would deny anything is wrong until after she has been successfully treated. Afterwords she might thank us, but beforehand she might fight us. Would we be right or wrong to keep silent because the relationship is consensual and nobody else is being hurt?

Again, I don't think a relationship wherein one partner is physically abusing the other is equivalent to a homosexual relationship. You might find the latter spiritually abusive, emotionally abusive and morally abusive, but these are not necessarily abuses that develop any physical symptoms or imperil ones life as in the case of physical abuse.

And, knowing that homosexual attraction is also a mental illness, are we right or wrong for keeping silent?

I don't think you should keep your beliefs silent, but this is about outlawing conduct that you find repulsive and immoral. We do not have laws that make mentally ill conduct, in and of itself, illegal. We have laws that protect others from that behavior should it result in a tangible loss to another party.

I am short of time and will address your other points later tonight.