Why is it a sin in Christianity to marry your first cousin?

Question

What biblical verses point to it being a sin?

And why?

Genetically speaking, studies show, 1st cousin marriages generally have a 2-4% chance of abnormal children, whereas normal couples have 1-2% chance. Its been blown out of proportion more so in America and I've heard its origins are in Christianity. So.. why?

Btw, No I don't live in West Virginia -- I live in the North East and I have my bachelors in Genetics. I'm interested in the biblical reasons for why Christians are against it.

Good answers.. btw, No I'm not Christian, I always thought it was looked down upon in America cuz of Christianity reasons.. I guess I was wrong?

Answer 1

Medical reasons.

Answer 2

Not a sin: Leviticus 18 lists all forbidden sexual relationships. Cousin relationships are not included. God commanded many cousins to marry, including Zelophehad's 5 daughters, Eleazar's daughters, Jacob (who married both Rachel and Leah, first cousins), and Isaac and Rebekkah (first cousins once removed). Not illegal for the most part, even in the U.S., the only Western nation with some laws against it (in some 24? states). 1 in 1,000 marriages in U.S. are between 1st cousins. Not a statistically meaningful increase in genetic deformity possibilities. 4-6% vs 2-3% in general population, or a 1.7 to 2.8% increase - about the same as when you turn 40. 20% of all marriages worldwide are between 1st cousins - historically approx. 80% of all marriages have been between 1st cousins. We are all cousins, worldwide - no one is further than 50th cousin from any other.

Answer 3

Editted (more information in your additional posts):

If you are wanting to know WHY it is illegal in many places in the US...

Such prohibitions were a late nineteenth century enforcement of the bio-evolutionary belief that cousin marriage threatened the civilized status of the United States. Cousin marriage was seen as step towards a "less developed" or "more barbarous" level of human society. States entering the Union prior to about 1860 did not have laws against cousin marriage. Almost all entering after 1860 prohibited cousin marriage to some degree.

As for the "sin" part of today's outlook: It is illegal in most places and the Bible states to:

Matthew 22:21 - They say unto him, Caesar's. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's.

The above verse and others in the Bible show we are to follow the laws of the land we live in - should they not be in contrary to the scriptures. If where you live it is illegal to marry your first cousin - then you should not do it.

Answer 4

I don't think it's in the bible, but it is a societal taboo and written into the laws of most states. Since many cultures have a Judeo-Christian basis, that is probably where it originated.

It makes no genetic sense these days, where there are a lot more people on the planet and we are all more genetically diverse. You pointed this out.

Still, I doubt the parents involved are going to be too happy about it. And the shared grandparents!

Answer 5

Here's the list of forbiden marriages

Between parents and children Leviticus 18:7-8
Between stepparents and stepchildren Leviticus 18:8, 17
With your paternal or maternal aunt Leviticus 18:12-13
With your uncle or aunt Leviticus 18:14
Between brother and sister and half-brother and half-sister Leviticus 18:9
Between stepbrothers and stepsisters Leviticus 18:11
With your daughter-in-law Leviticus 18:15
With your sister-in-law Leviticus 18:16
With your granddaughter Leviticus 18:10
With your step-granddaughter Leviticus 18:17

This is a complete list of marriages that God forbids. This list includes those found in Leviticus 20:11-21; Deuteronomy 22:30; Deuteronomy 27:20-23; and 1 Corinthians 5:1. But marriage with a first cousin is not prohibited.

Conclusion: Scripture does not prohibit marriage between first-cousins. Yet, there are several things to consider. First, it would be a serious error to say more than what scripture has said or to add to scripture. Second, we are assuming that when you married in the United States you did not violate any of the laws in the state in which you were married. If you are not sure, we would encourage you to check with a lawyer in that state. Here is a general summary of United States law regarding marriage from Law Connect!™, but it is important to remember that the laws vary from one state to another.

To add in the end, 26 states allow first cousin marriages. Most others allow 2nd cousin marriages. Cousin marriage is not forbidden in the bible or in America.

It is thought that the legal status might improve for cousin marriages due to science demonstrating that cousin marriages are not a big genetic risk as earlier thought.
In my opinion I will rather take 1-2% cances and never marry my cousin.

Answer 6

I am christian and have never heard anything preached against that at all but it is against the law. One of my kids is by my third cousin but we never met before and we didn't even know that we were related until years later and by the way I do live in West Virginia.

Answer 7

I don't know where you got your statistics, but they are incorrect. Marrying your first cousin is considered incest, that is why it is illegal and it is based in Christianity because our nation was originally based on the fundamentals of Christianity. I have been a counselor for a very long time and have dealt with incest victims, perps and offspring. There is actually less than a 30% chance of a child being normal or exceptional between related parents.

Answer 8

There is no such passage in any scripture. MAN has made it sinful, but then again, man has change the concepts of many of the 10 commandments, Deadly sins, and rules passed down by their God.
It's hard to know what real and what's not.
To populate a planet,cousins had to marry sometime in the early history of man, and in Royal society, it's comman place.

Answer 9

As far as I know, it is not a sin, but a legal problem in the US. The reason for this is that recessive genes have more of a chance to show up. We can't blame everything on Christianity.

Answer 10

Acts 29: 9

Answer 11

Because it's a sin against humanity, Cletus. Quit dogging Sally Mae at the Klan gathering, er, family reunion and maybe move outta the bayou. Tey do stuff a lil' different in other parts....