03-05-2009, 01:26 PM
quote:In the beginning, marriage was limited to only what certain people said it could be. One of those was an antiquated belief (more religious and taboo, less scientific) concerning inbreeding. You know the old you marry your third cousin twice removed on your grandfathers side and the offspring will be a two headed Satan worshipper.
Originally posted by Jon
So can brother and sister marry in Hawaii? How about father and daughter? I think those would fit the legal definition of marriage if it were allowed.
Over time, government and society has refined the taboo with science and has reached educated conclusions that prior genetic/science issues are not as extensive as those in the 1700's or 1800's thought. They also concluded that issues of mental capacity and influence (such as in parent/child, brother/sister) was scientifically valid but not after a certain point of the family relationship. So states have repealed incest laws to conform to a more modern and updated society. In Texas for example, it’s perfectly legal to marry your cousin. In some states that still prohibit first cousin marriages, but if childbirth isn't possible, it’s legal. So the issue of close relationship marriage (just like age) is based more on health (physical, mental and offspring) than on religion, culture or politics.