Questions for Atheists?

Question

Out of curiosity, is there anything wrong in marrying your sister or mother?

This is a serious question.

Some anthropologists are critical of including biology in the study of the incest taboo, and have argued that there can be no biological basis for inbreeding aversion because inbreeding may in fact be a good thing. Leavitt (1990) is a good representative of this point of view, writing that "small inbreeding populations, while initially increasing their chances for harmful homozygotic recessive pairings on a locus, will quickly eliminate such genes from their breeding pools, thus reducing their genetic loads" (Leavitt 1990, p.974)

the reason i ask is because i believe religion has influence us in a great deal in treating it as a taboo. So i am asking atheist's because if they don't ascribe to a religion is that phenomena still there. ie. do they find it a taboo. if so why?

Now most here have attributed it to the fact that genes are the reason. Interestingly the issue of Homozygosity is also a theory. and so if they are willing to accept that theory without proof why then do you not accept the theory of god without proof.

FYI, Genetically the risk is not mutation. mutation is the same for everyone. The risk is in the chances of obtaining deleterious recessive genes from both parents.

Answer 1

Yes. Just because you're an atheist does not mean you are ignorant. I am an atheist, and I am perfectly aware of the problems involved with this. genetic mutations are far more frequent and extreme within incestuous unions. In fact, the foetus should be miscarried if the genetics of both parents are so similar.

Humans are biologically programmed not to be attracted to their genetic relatives. Hence, phermones play a part in deciding who we find attractive, and who we do not.

If we do not find our family sexually attractive, then why would we marry them?

Those who marry and do not desire to have children do so to prove their commitment to each other, to give them legal rights to each other's possessions and so as to stay together. These things are all readily available in afamily without any form of legal bonding.

As such, not only is there something wrong with marrying your sister or mother, but there is also no point to it.

Answer 2

Interesting question. I'm surprised that some people can't put aside opinion for a second and take it seriously.

I am not a biologist, nor do I have any knowledge about gene transferring except hearsay and random articles, but it is my understanding that both of those people are too close genetically for that to be a good idea. The whole reason sex was invented umpteen-million years ago was because bacteria that had "sex" (shared genes) were more resilient to viruses infecting the population. They were able to acquire beneficial mutations faster because if either of the parents had a mutation, it would pass on to the kid. (Twice as fast as self-reproduction).

I think the idea that your child would be some kind of horrible mutant is just the popular media-hyped exaggeration of the truth. A kid from that marriage would probably look normal, but would (I imagine) be more susceptible to disease than others. If it continued for a couple generations you could have a really big problem (a single virus could wipe out the whole lot).

Any research I have read has said that your cousins are enough of a genetic difference that it would be "ok," but probably still not ideal.

Finally, of course, the obvious answer is that society disapproves of such things. In my personal opinion that's a good thing, cause I think sleeping with family is kinda nasty.

Answer 3

Oddly enough. The only thing "wrong" with it is the taboo of incest. It is a good taboo because over several generations of such interbreeding mutations become the rule. However. A single generation will probably not carry many mutations if any. Unless of course you already have a horrible genitic related illness there really isn't much wrong with it.

The wrongness comes from it offending others and because for simple survivial most people will HATE you for commiting that taboo because if it continues it will pollute the gene pool.

Answer 4

Yes, the genetic material in your sibling or parent is too close to yours. This allows recessive genes to run rampant, creating mutations within the bloodline. It also creates conditions for insanity, and mental retardation for you children. So I would have to say that was a bad idea. Aside from that, our instinct is to not have those relations anyhow. No one ever told me that sleeping with my sister was wrong, I just felt the idea was disgusting. The same could be said for my mother. Is the Bible the only reason you don't? (seriously)

Answer 5

Um, yeah. For one, I believe it's illegal in most places. It also seems rather pointless. And biologically speaking, should you choose to produce dream crushers, they wouldn't come out so good, you know?

But what does that have to do with being an atheist? Or is this question simply a really sad attempt at being insulting? Because it doesn't quite come off, if so.

Thanks for your clarification; it makes more sense now. My answer doesn't change, but I can add that even if it weren't illegal, it would still be too icky. Although I abhor tradition, this taboo is just too deeply ingrained to get past.

Answer 6

Yes. Inbreeding causes mutated children due to a lack of genetic diversity. Look at WV. Creationists don't have a problem with it, as they think they all came from Adam and eve. The thought of the ridiculous story being true creeps me out when I am with my girlfriend.

Answer 7

What really, that is the question you came up with to challenge Atheists???? C'mon. I mean really. I am a Christian but I still find it insulting that an atheist is seen as non or immoral. Take a look in the mirror! Jesus came for us while WE were yet in our SINS. I know I am not any better than anyone else. I really am only concerned with my own sin. My own sin is what offends me. I am concerned with an atheists eternity. I also think that all atheists are aware that part of Christianity is to share the Word. They expect that. They may not like it but they expect it. Now what, are they to expect to hear stupid insulting questions! IF that is the garbage coming out of Christians than no wonder they think we are idiots.

Answer 8

Gods are all guy-made recommendations that have been first invented roughly eleven,000 years in the past someplace among the historical towns of Ur and Nineveh. It developed from a far older perception in shamanism in which a "treatment guy" would wake up slumbering spirits and use them to do well or evil deeds. The notion of "hell" could also be a synthetic suggestion that was once invented roughly 3500 years in the past close an field known as the Valley of Hinnom in which burnt services of human sacrifice was once played to the god known as moloch. The first actual Hebrews known as it "gehenna" which later developed into the christian notion of hell. Prior to the burning hell, men and women believed within the suggestion of "sheol" - an dwelling house of the useless in which every body went - well or unhealthy. Sheol was once a ultra-modern of "hades" - the Greek variant - and was once substituted within the New Testaments following the Greek translation.

Answer 9

Yes, dear. Your children will have a lot of genetic mutation, expressed by : psychic diseases, physical diseases, super intelligence( as in they will die at 20 years, because they use their brain in excess), 3 hands, 2 heads or some other abominations

Answer 10

Yes it is wrong. Its incest and it's against the law. But if you're a adult you can do what you want. I'm not going to judge you because you have a relationship with your mom. But keep in mind a brother or a male relative is suppose to protect his sister not have sex with her.