A Christian video blogger, or vlogger, has asked forgiveness from God and his wife after it was revealed through a data leak from hackers that he was one of the millions of men who signed up for Ashley Madison, the controversial website that promotes extramarital affairs.
In a YouTube video entitled "Forgiven," Sam Rader – one half of the viral Christian vlogging couple Sam and Nia — admitted that he indeed created an account on the cheating website, a Washington Post report said.
"As you may have seen, my name has been associated with an Ashley Madison account, a website made for spouses who want to have an affair. I'm here to clarify some of this with you guys, 'cause I owe it to you. I did make the account. I made the account two years ago," Rader said in the video.
With this confirmation, Rader also said that he has already asked forgiveness from his wife, Nia, and God, for what he has done.
"She has forgiven me for this mistake that I made in opening the account. I have sought forgiveness from God, and He has forgiven me, so I have been completely cleansed of this sin," the Christian vlogger said.
He further said that this will be the last time he will speak on the controversy "because this is in our past, and this has already been completely resolved within my family and within my church."
Rader gained online popularity earlier this month after he uploaded a viral video confirming his wife's pregnancy, only to find out later on that she had a miscarriage.
Meanwhile, Professor Isabelle Szmigin of the University of Birmingham said the Ashley Madison controversy highlighted a sad truth: that sex still sells, a CNN report said.
"It could be argued that Ashley Madison through its very existence and its so-called anonymous service made illicit affairs possible, and even without the help of hackers may have led to heartbreak for many. Of course, where Ashley Madison differs to other products or services being marketed by sex is that it is actually all about sex," Szmigin said.
