Re: Cousin marriages- yay or nay in this day and age.
JustSilly,
How can you so confidently say that cousin marriages are not historically relevant? The US is the only western country that does not allow cousin marriage and even then it is allowed in about half of the states. It’s legal in Canada, Europe, Mexico and other parts of the world. Let’s allot some numbers to your scientific frowning upon, eh? According to the National Society of Genetic Councilors, cousin couples have only a 4-7% chance of having kids with birth defects from a baseline of 3-4 % risk in non-cousin couples. It’s not a dramatic leap and neither type of couples/marriage comes with a 100% guarantee. As far as religion is concerned, none of the holy books in three monotheistic religions prohibit cousin marriages. Islam encourages marrying outside of the family, but it does not prohibit cousin marriages. If you personally don’t prefer such a marriage for yourself, then so be it. But don’t look at those who do with an attitude of contempt/scorn especially one that stems from ignorance.