Morally wrong for brother to have sex with sister?

Question

I'm just putting the question out there.

As an extreme liberal, I can't see what harm it would cause so long as they were both above the legal age and so long as there was no child produced from the relationship. (possible health defects, etc.)

I really find it difficult to see what's immoral about this kind of relationship. Perhaps it's taboo simply because of society. They wouldn't be hurting anyone, and as free adults they are allowed to see whom they choose.

Does anyone know of any good reason (i.e. not "UGH THAT'S GROSS!" or "God says blah blah blah) that this relationship would be immoral?

P.S. merely stating "Yeah it's wrong!" is a stupid response. That isn't a reason or a well thought out argument. Please don't bother if that's all you're gonna say.

P.P.S.

Reasons including "Gene pools" and "inbred kids" are NOT valid because the question states that no children would be produced. Please READ carefully. That's what you have eyes for.

Answer 1

I have noticed that no one is really answering this question with any real answers. Morality can come from different places. Culture, religion, society, etc. From a a logical point of view, there is really nothing wrong with it. if both are adult willing parties of sound minds, then there is nothing wrong with it. Now western culture would say it is morally and ethically wrong due to rules set by the Bible. If you are not a Christian, then those rules do not apply either. So from a logical point of view, there isn't any thing wrong with it. Other species cross mate. It is a societal Taboo for humans. Nothing more.

(this does not mean i would do it. though i have no sister so its an easy question to answer hypotheticaly.)

Answer 2

A priest once confided in me several years ago that incest is MUCH more common than ANYONE really knows or believes.

The attraction between male and female is natural. But usually there is a boundary between brothers and sisters.

Morality can be relative. "Gross" can be relative too. It all depends on how wide you open your mind.

Any mental effort beyond this becomes gossip and speculation - and both of those are highly negative and unproductive.

But there is nothing new under the sun. Everything that has ever been done will continue to be done in the future. It's irrational to expect that to change.

So to maintain balance, all you can do is not worry about what others do. Live your life the best you can and don't judge, don't condemn anyone - including people who do things which are "against standards".

Answer 3

Assuming that your contraception method is indeed 100% foolproof (which very few methods are)...

How about the fact that sex invariably creates a deep emotional connection between two people that, in the case of brother and sister, would cause irreparable damage to the natural bond that already exists through kinship... which, if the sexual relationship were ever to terminate or the feelings involved to cease (on either side) would very likely cause severe and permanent harm to the sibling relationship, not to mention the emotional scars that it would probably inflict on both parties?

You might argue that all of this is really pessimistic and that it wouldn't really be as bad as all that -- as long as the sex is kept causal and is consented to by both parties. This may be fine in theory, but in real life I have yet to observe any instance of a sexual relationship (especially a recurring one) that has failed to create a lasting emotional connection that inevitably inflicts serious hurt on one or both parties when the relationship is broken. In the case of a brother-sister relationship, such hurt would be multiplied exponentially assuming that the natural sibling affections were already present, since these could not help but be damaged too.

You could also say that the risk of such pain is part of the "consent" given by both parties, which might be fine in terms of absolving responsibility from a legal standpoint -- but not morally, if you agree with me that it is morally wrong to engage in activities that are highly likely to cause pain to others, without the other first being fully aware of the physical and emotional risks involved. (And indeed, in a sexual relationship of any kind, who is truly prepared for the pain that results when the emotional attachments involved do not last or are not requited?)

I doubt you'll agree with me totally, but does this at least answer your question as a non-religious or reactionary reason why such a relationship could be seen as immoral?

(Incidentally, I believe that very similar reasoning could be applied to argue on secular grounds for the immorality of pre-marital or extra-marital sexual relations in general -- the latter case obviously involving issues of infidelity to a committed partner, in addition to the above.)

Answer 4

I dont think there is really a right or wrong answer to your question, but if you look around the world, it is actually the only taboo that seems to exist in every society (i'm talking both "first" and "third" world countries, and also tribes and everything). there is just something about humans that has developed to see that having sexual relations with a direct sibling is a good way to screw up the gene pool.

Answer 5

In the older days of kings and queens,incest was practiced because they wanted to keep the royal blood pure,but as each generation came along health issues developed,most were already related to each other.
Other than "God says" and "that's gross",many states have laws that prohibit incest and even forbid people who are too closely related from marrying.
It only takes 1 accident to produce offspring and there is something wrong with the brother and sister if they only have sex with each other.

Answer 6

These incestuous things occur, fathers and daughters, mothers and sons, brother and sister, sister and sister, brother and brother, father and son. It is morally unacceptable and does to the human spirit what a bullet does to the body. Incest has psychological, repercussion that scar people for all of their lives. More often than not it's out and out rape but patched over because it involves a family member. It's wrong on so many different levels that I can't even begin to list them and don't even want to think of them.

Answer 7

You pretty much said it. It's society and it is immoral and taboo. But if there two consenting adults, so be it. This happens far more than people realize. In the U.S. first cousins can marry in like 26 states.

Answer 8

Hey,

It is morally wrong. It is your sister. Having a relationship with her on that level is just gonna wind up bad. Besides, your kids will have 14 toes and fingers and 6 noses.

Best of Luck

Rynthas

Answer 9

Im not for it have you seen my sisters. But I am looking at this without the yechhhh factor, and if noone knew whos to say. The main thing to consider would be not getting sprung by the parents, unless of course the parents were......... well you know.

Answer 10

YES I can think of a million wrong reasons. Like the two you listed above. Also, you grew up with your brother/sister and I really don't see how you could ever have a relationship like that? Or how you could be romantic with them? So yes it is wrong!!! and...EWWW!