Can incest ever be justified?

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2slick

i think it is sick. when religion and science show us that something is wrong, we cannot argue with it

So gay people are sick? (religion says it's wrong)
And people who risk passing on inherited diseases are sick? (science says it's wrong)

Reply 21

llama boy

Pencil Queen

And people who risk passing on inherited diseases are sick? (science says it's wrong)

I wasn't aware "science" was capable of making moral judgements.

Reply 22

Clearing and Applications Advisor

llama boy

I wasn't aware "science" was capable of making moral judgements.

Well it's as "wrong" as the science behind incestuous relationships producing children.

Reply 23

Mineko

celia

But if two people, who are equals to each other (so one is not in a position of power over the other, like a parent, or grandparent etc.), and who are old enough to take responsibility for their actions want to have a relationship, I think that's really up to them, I don't think they should be treated as criminals.

Athough I agree with this view I think it is important that the views of the rest of the family are taken into account. It would surely be very difficult for the rest of the family.

The family is usually a safe institution in which we need not worry about members of the opposite sex having sexual feelings about us. If incest were to become acceptable. Then some of the safe innocence of the family setting would surely be removed?

Even if there were no genetic problems with having children together, I still feel it would be really unfair to deprive a child of two sets of grandparents and the usual two branches of the family.

And to consider it practically, what if it is not really true love and the couple splits? It would be awkward having to see your ex at every family gathering!

M x

Reply 24

llama boy

Pencil Queen

Well it's as "wrong" as the science behind incestuous relationships producing children.

Which is nonsensical as science alone can tell us nothing about morality.

The original point was nonsense. No need to perpetuate it.

Reply 25

MattG

one major reason incest is illegal (to my knowledge) is down to the majority of incestious sexual relationships being forms of sexual abuse.

personally if a certain relationship is consented by both of them, and the production of children isn't its intent there is no "real" problem, im not going to stand on some moral high ground. its when children are produced i start climbing my moral highground lol.

*however, thinking about it, if you say no to incest producing children, genetic misfits, the same could be said of disabled/special needs adults having children.

Reply 26

wanderer

Unsure on the children issue, but (assuming contraception) unless it's abuse there are simply no moral grounds for limiting peoples freedom in that way. Its just a gut reaction, one that I share in, that says that its sick - but gut reactions aren't often the best basis for a moral system.

Reply 27

NDGAARONDI

Do you actually realise why incest occurs psychologically?

I remember hearing an incest case where this father got locked up far too long IMO for having children with his daughter, then this MP got off lightly on child porn. So why wasn't the mother locked up too? What about the children needing support from both parents?

I see no reason wrong with it. It never used to be illegal in this country until 1906 anyway (I think!). And from what I've heard there have been further extensions to this crime recently.

Isn't it legal in Germany or somewhere in Europe?
So in answer to yet another "...can this ever be justified?" question, yes is the answer.

Only snag I think is when it comes if they have children but I suppose you could change their surnames and stuff. They might get picked on.

Reply 28

Pumpkinfoodle

my human instincts, and from the reason of our excistence.. going back to our primeval roots and such we were made to increase our gene pools, and people (siblings) that were related to us were competing with us so in effect back then incestry wasn't even an idea to comtemplate over.

now that we've developed a plethora of feelings and a brain and diddle daddle pshycology and sexual drives we start to go beyond reasons why we repoduce.

aside from the biology. surely when you have a brother or a sister or a cousin you just feel different towards them. fair enough if you did not grow up together you haven't made the sibling bond, the siblinghood love and such.
so isn't it just a difference in feelings that do eventually prevent you from incestry? unless you just can't sort your own emotions out and you're driven to think you really love love love love LOVE the brother/sister.

Reply 29

celia

I read an article that said there was probably a psychological reason for siblings not finding each other attractive, as shown by children who were brought up together on a kibbutz, whose parents would be quite happy for each other to marry, grow up but only feel sibling-type feelings for one another.

If this is true, then maybe the real problems could happen when children who have been separated whilst still very tiny meet up again in the future- without the effects of being brought up with one another they may find each other attractive. I guess with egg and sperm donation becoming more common, and divorced people going on to have second families who may have no contact with their first, this might happen more and more frequently.

Reply 30

roxy potter

kimoni

Second cousin I think

I don't know about the laws in the uk but over here its legal to marry your first cousin but not your second. strange really.

Reply 31

randdom

roxy potter

I don't know about the laws in the uk but over here its legal to marry your first cousin but not your second. strange really.

That is very very very strange because your first cousin is more closely realated.

Reply 32

happysunshine

I don't think there is anything wrong with it, providing both are willing to be in the relationship. It's none of mine or your business who people wish to start a relationship, and although it is deemed as sick to many it is up to the individuals.

Reply 33

presebjenada

TheWolf

i sometimes find it very hard to comprehend your style of writing :eek:

haha me too!! :tongue:

Reply 34

roxy potter

randdom

That is very very very strange because your first cousin is more closely realated.

apparently its because when the law was made it was assumed that first cousins wouldnt want to marry. how wrong they were.

Reply 35

Pumpkinfoodle

celia

but that IS the reason why you go for members of the opposite sex. hence the good looking couple factor. because the the OP has similar qualities as you do. somehow its because on a genetic level we would like to pursue our genes to the next generation so would mate with another looking like ourselves blah blah blah. strangeeee.

Reply 36

WildAmerican

The fact someone even made this thread asking this question is disgusting and proves that liberals have absolutely no morality. Its really sad to see the world degrading to this extent. Thank the jews for the corruption of society. I guess the old saying is true, tell a lie enough times then it becomes fact. Some of you had better wake up to what you are being a party to before you ruin your world and the world of everyone else around you.