Why is domestic violence wrong?

Ray Rice is in trouble for hitting a woman and now the NFL is in trouble because they didn't dole out a severe enough punishment to Rice.  Not even Rice's teammates nor the NFL Players Association has come to his defense after the elevator video was released a few days ago.   Apparently the only person standing beside him at this point is the victim whom Rice subsequently married after the incident.

If the victim is willing to forgive and forget why is the furor still growing?  The answer is that almost every person in America is personally offended and deeply disturbed by the images of a man violently striking a woman.  We all understand this to be very wrong.  This was criminal in our minds, and it's a crime that needs to be punished regardless of what the victim is saying.  The fact that the almighty NFL is backpedaling fast is proof of the overwhelming public sentiment on this issue.

So, we all agree that domestic violence is very wrong.  My question is, why is it wrong?  Is it wrong because every time this crime is committed there are helpless victims?  Is it wrong because our stomachs turn when we hear of and see examples of domestic violence?  Is it wrong because it permits (primarily) men to arrogantly assume that they can bully their agendas past people who oppose them or tell them "no."  Is it wrong because our laws say it's wrong or because the vast majority of the American population agrees its wrong?

Take a second to consider what if the preceding series of assumptions weren't true.  What if our stomachs didn't turn at the sight of the video and what if we were all OK with bullying?  What if there was no law against what Ray Rice did and what if the vast majority of Americans said that he's allowed to hit his fiancé.  Would all this make domestic violence right rather than wrong?  Of course not!

I'm glad to see that our country is standing against this evil and that a star football player can't even find cover from the NFL or his teammates on this one.  However, this isn't evil because of our emotions or because of the popular opinion of our country.  Domestic violence is wrong because God says it's wrong.  Christians, do not forget to weigh every moral and ethical issue against the Bible so that we can see clearly what is right and wrong in this world.