[felson]

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the lifted restriction doesn't have to do with health benefits. it only means that it is no longer prohibited.

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Then why is there still the health penalty?

If adultery is no longer prohibited, why are there still venereal diseases?

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first, who said that adultery is no longer prohibited? i didn't. adultery falls under the realm of ethical laws, not dietary laws. (edit: i mentioned "purity" laws earlier - that refers to laws without ethical content. it has nothing to do with sex.)

second, i don't think that sexually transmitted diseases are generally expressions of God's judgment. just as i do not believe that getting AIDS is God judging someone for getting a blood transfusion, or that dying in a car crash is God judging someone for being on the same road as a drunk driver.

sometimes bad things happen. that doesn't mean that there was one particular sin that prompted God to bring about judgment. it doesn't even mean that the suffering person has done more evil than his non-suffering neighbor next door.