Do you believe an extramarital affair can ever be justified?

No. If a person is not happy with his/her spouse, there are only two justified courses of action. 1) Talk to spouse/go to counseling/work it out 2) Leave.

Ideally, if you're not happy and want someone else you shouldn't be in the marriage...

But under extreme circumstances, such as forced marriages, or if your spouse cheated on you first, I would say that it is justified, even if it's not the best thing to do about the situation.

Justifiable to your spouse? I dunno. If they are not giving you what you need as far as love/sex/intimacy/affection and you have repeatedly talked about this situation with them, and they make no move to try and change things... An affair is a band-aid. It will not help your marriage. The obvious solution is to end a marriage where you are not getting what you need, but sometimes that is easier said then done for many reasons. In the long run, and affair will not solve anything and it is only a temporary fix that ultimately can make things worse. Divorce is rarely pleasant or easy but if you are cheating, or want to cheat, you need to evaluate your relationship and make some tough choices.

I don't know if I'd say justified, but there are cases where you can certainly sympathize with the person who cheated!
Of course, you should try to work things out before it gets that far, try to keep yourselves and your relationship exciting so that neither one gets bored... However, I don't know if it's really possible to be completely excited by the same person the rest of your life... probably it isn't. you just have to have a very active imagination!

Yes, if your partner has already cheated on you, and/or the relationship has broken down to the point where it can't be salvaged. Life's just too short to wait for all the paperwork to come through.

My answer from the head:
Justified? In whose opinion? The wandering partner's or the betrayed partner's?
The wanderer will say yes, the betrayed will say no.

And my answer from the heart:
I've been on both sides. Yes, it was justified both when I cheated and when she cheated.
On both occasions we used the affair as a kick in the butt to work on our relationship. The work would not have happened if we didn't have the affair.

My 20-20 hindsight advice: If one of you is thinking of an affair, do the work on your relationship before you make a choice that will cause much hurt and suffering.

No.

No. It can be forgiven though.

Yes if there is nont in present conditions

NO!! Cheating is against all principals. If you want to cheat dont get married, dont become involved in a relationship and stay without a partner. Cheating destroys everything. It breeds hate,mistrust,destruction and more. Dont be a fool,stay straight.

No.

No.
Even pain isn't a reason to cheat.

Not at all... if you wanna cheat, leave.

why get married it;s there before hand if you want it remember your vows

Unfortunately 99% of the time, no! I say 99% as absolutes are dangerous. But, why would you have an affair? You will feel better only short term, until the guilt catches up. You will crush someone that you care or cared about. And, you run the risk of causing damage only measured by variables, does that sound like a good idea?

I totally agree that as humans, we have the natural instinct to ****...alot. But, do it with your partner only, and keep it that way. OR, do not have any one single partner and **** a lot.

Rules: we are all adults so be smart about who you do; do not 'do it' with someone who is with someone, that is just as bad; do not do it with someone who thinks it is more or less serious than you! Be on the same page. Be clean, do not be a nasty bastard

No I dont.If you are unhappy,just leave,dont hurt anyone along the way.

It could never be justified. Even in an abussive relationship. If its something sensual then try toys or roll play. If you don't want it done to you then don't do it to the one your with.

it cannot be justified but it happens.(life happens and nobody is perfect!!! i would not even be around if my parents had not met(my mother and father both cheated on their exes with eachother)
how can u judge someone else when you have no idea of the real situation!!

Absoluely not.

I think that there are situations and circumstances where someone cheating is understandable, but that doesnt make it right. Cheating is cheating....plain and simple. People are only human and have needs, but when we enter a committed relationship (especially marriage)....we pledge and vow to take care of those needs with that person and that person alone (and you pledge and vow to help meet the needs of your lover). I agree that if you cant be faithful....dont get into relationships, or get out of one before you start another. Thats my take on it anyway.