Justin Bieber on lust and cheating
Pop star Justin Bieber has sparked considerable online debate after stating during a livestream that even thinking lustfully about another woman is “the same as cheating.”
During a casual chat with friends on his Twitch channel, Bieber said, “If you even think of a woman with lust, it’s the same thing as actually doing it committing adultery, or whatever.” He added that if such a thought crosses one’s mind “for one second,” it qualifies in his view as unfaithfulness. The singer went on to draw parallels between various moral failings, noting for example that “If you treat a man with anger … it’s the same as killing a man.”
Bieber’s comments come amid his long-publicised marriage to model Hailey Bieber, and reflect his outspoken Christian faith and personal views on fidelity and marriage.
The reaction online has been mixed. Some fans and commentators praise his high moral standard and commitment to loyalty, while others question whether the standard he sets is realistic for most people. For instance, one critic wrote: “Biologically speaking all men in a relationship will still feel attraction toward other women. What matters is how they handle those thoughts.” Others commented that like many public figures, Bieber’s own past and his music which has sometimes dealt with themes of temptation make his statements seem ambitious or contradictory.
In explaining his position, Bieber linked his claim to biblical scripture, saying his understanding of cheating begins long before actions and originates in the heart and mind.
Whether one sees his view as admirable or too extreme, the comments have certainly reignited discussion about what constitutes fidelity in modern relationships: is it only physical betrayal, or does emotional and mental loyalty count as well?
