tsurara

For the same reasons people around the world find homosexuality and bisexuality "sick". That doesn't mean it's universally wrong or that there's any decent scientific reason to believe that homosexuals are committing any sort of affront to the laws of nature in choosing to be together. Recently, society has come around to more or less agree. In some nations (mostly Muslim) we still execute homosexuals. Does that make those nations more moral or enlightened? Most would think quite the opposite. After all: the same religious systems denounce killing and violence against mankind.

Incest occurs in nature, often when populations become incredibly small and other options are limited: and while it is often incredibly detrimental to the successful perpetuation of the species... sometimes it's the only way to perpetuate the species at all. There is no doubt that incest can be damaging to offspring produced through the union (which is why most close-family unions are forbidden LEGALLY). The question is if a couple is worthy of societal denigration because they choose to be with one another, in spite of their intent to have children or not. In which case: I don't agree. I think it's a form of hatred borne out of fear of what we personally aren't comfortable with.

As for religious views of incest: they are incredibly hypocritical. In nearly all religions (and in most schools of Science), mankind develops from a single set of ancestors. We are ALL the products of incest: according to the Bible, most religious myth and likely in a Scientific sense as well. "All men are brothers"... quite literally. Adam and Eve were incestuous, as were their children... oddly enough, Lot, after escaping from a city condemned for wickedness, continues his line by sleeping with his own daughters.

Most Biblical scholars believe that the prohibition against incest in the Bible is a direct attempt to further weed out the pagan elements of the Cannanites and Egyptians: demonizing their practices (homosexuality, idol-worship, interest in the occult, incest, etc) and further demonizing the enemy-religion in the process.

I'm not saying we should all go out and make babies with our sisters. But I think people need to worry more about addressing what they believe is wrong behavior in themselves than being fearful and hateful toward people who aren't bothering them (or anyone else) in the least.

If this couple takes measures to ensure that they do not have children (voluntary sterilization, birth control, etc): they should absolutely be allowed to stay together. And anyone calling their affection for each other sick needs a boot up the ass. How is this their fault? I'm sure, reguardless of the outcome, this will forever be a source of stigma for them. "You slept with your sister?! Oh that's SICK!" But personally, I think that's far more evil (and damaging) behavior than "accidentally" falling in love with a sibling you've never known.

Religion should be a PERSONAL guide to goodness. Not a textbook for social condemnation.

Corvus

Any one who is opposed to this for genetic reasons needs to do their research! As much good from their (so called) inbreeding can come about as bad. It wouldn't be the first time in the history of the earth that inbreeding has occured... especially in humans. Their genomes are identical which means absolutely nothing. Sure you might think that you have a valid argument if you were to say that they could bring a dormant disease to surface... however because of genetic diversity and the expanse of the gene pool (this is also the reason why two parents don't have just boys or just girls or just blonds or brunettes.) it is possible for the information within the haploid cells to come from entirely different generations within their gene pool. For example suppose one only goes four generations back as opposed to the other going twenty, the genetic difference could potentially be greater then two strangers who are in no way related but just happened to have a common ancestor and by chance derive thier information from the same spot.
Although it doesn't make it impossible for them to have a child born with defects it exploits the lack of support behind your argument they have just a great a chance as anyone else to have a healthy child and potentially an even greater chance of a genius.
As for those of you who rest in saying that you are against this because it is morally / religiously wrong and you think that they'll bring an abomination into the world you have NO RIGHT!
If you believe in one God or more then you should trust that their union will be dealt with as is seen fit by your God/ gods. The fact that you don't proves your disloyalty and lack of faith in them. (and wouldn't that make you an abomination yourself?)
If however you are morally opposed you are unjustifiably WRONG again. Each person's morals are for themselves. It's the ignorance of this simple fact (and people trying to run over other people with their moral values) that leads to war (and to other smaller struggles) and the lack of union within humanity therefore, it's your belief that you have the right to exercise your beliefs over others that is really hurting our race!
END OF STORY!
I welcome any furhter arguments although I must say that unless you're ready to back them out you better not have anything to say against the way that other people choose to live their life (especially since they did nothing wrong...) If people were punished for ignorance then babies would be given the death scentence when they came out.

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tsurara

Inbreeding, both in animals and humans has been shown to, often significantly, increase or perpetuate recessive diseases, mutations and defects which through wider breeding would otherwise be supressed.

The same issues wildlife reserves have with inbreeding cheetah populations and that we have with purebred dogs (which are generally created through selective breeding which very quickly loops back on itself) can easily be translated to human populations.

While the affect is not certain, were incest institutionalized: it would no doubt create LARGER numbers of people with recessive diseases and conditions.

My family bred Golden Retrievers. Golden Retrievers are lovely dogs... but through hundreds of years of inbreeding they've developed tendencies toward cataracts/vision problems and fatty tumors. Mutts, in general, live longer than purebred dogs and have fewer of their unique health issues. This is due to a larger gene pool.

A paper presenting both the "for" and "against":
http://www.as.wvu.edu/~kgarbutt/Quan...ing_Humans.htm

Billum256

I'm a Bible believer so to me its wrong. I don't beleive the inital act was wrong because they didn't know, so they should repent but I don't think God would hold it against them for not knowing. If they were to continue with they're marriage and trying to have kids then I would say it flat out a sin.

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Miroku4444

I think how society views homosexuality/bisexuality compared to Incest is on a whole new level. Incest is the ultimate taboo in society. Homosexuality is just loving a person of the same sex, but Incest is crossing a boundary that was never suppose to be crossed. Its just something your not suppose to do, and 99% of the population agrees which makes this a sick act. Now seeing this couple didn't know they were related excused what they were doing, although if they continue after the fact then it makes it wrong. If they truly love each other then they would realize the best thing for them is to be apart.

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anime_being_god

I feel bad for those guys....they must've been totally shocked when they found out the truth!!!lol

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NevesElocin

I wouldn't think that they should seperate. If they really love each other then they should stay together. Just adopt a kid if they want one that bad.

In a non brother/sister way no. Odd yes but wrong no.

No way. There could be some serious complications with that. Besides that the offspring from that could and probably would be... impaired.

Incest for the most part is viewed as a disgusting, vile behavior. Where I live you aren't smiled upon even if you mention it much less go through with it.

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LenMiyata

Grumble Grumble Grumble

To provide further information on this topic, MSNBC has just posted an article on this very subject...

Why incest makes us so squeamish - Behavior - MSNBC.com

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