Did Adam and Eve's Offspring Commit Incest?

[lostinthought]

I think the Bible definitely has metaphors and imagery, I was just trying to figure out what the common belief on this was!
Thanks for everyone's posts- they were very helpful!

 

[maha]

The Adam and Eve "incest" issue is a critical one. Take two members of the same species that are of the opposite sex. Even if those initial two are unrelated, the brother and sister (provided at least one boy and girl are produced from the original couple) would have to commit incest and have children together. This is very bad genetically speaking, and I won't even address the social, moral, or psychological issues. Then, the next generation of offspring would have to commit additional acts of incest in order to propogate. The effects of the lack of genetic diversity would compound as each generation procreated. In time it may dilude somewhat, but their genome would be all screwed up at that point--six fingers on one hand, mental retardation, you name it...they'd have it--and in a bad way.

And this would happen with any species, including humans. If you have no genetic diversity, or essentially, no population diversity, then you will have really bad genetics.

So if the story of Adam and Eve is true, as the mother and father of the human race, then we are a race of genetic inbreeds. Of course, the folks that wrote the story of Adam and Eve had no comprehension of genetic diversity nor the implications of what a single couple starting our race would mean. So they had no idea that not only would it be highly improbable that a single couple could spawn an entire race, but they also had no clue that it would mean we were all inbreeds. But hey, it was a fictional story after all...the bible that is.

 

[dad]

The Adam and Eve "incest" issue is a critical one. Take two members of the same species that are of the opposite sex. Even if those initial two are unrelated, the brother and sister (provided at least one boy and girl are produced from the original couple) would have to commit incest and have children together. This is very bad genetically speaking, and I won't even address the social, moral, or psychological issues.

Ha. It was morrally obeying God the creator at the time, and splendid. There was no genetical issues, if we consider when they were created, they were perfect, and designed to be eternal. The world as well was different, and more perfect than now as well.

Then, the next generation of offspring would have to commit additional acts of incest in order to propogate. The effects of the lack of genetic diversity would compound as each generation procreated. In time it may dilude somewhat, but their genome would be all screwed up at that point--six fingers on one hand, mental retardation, you name it...they'd have it--and in a bad way.

Ha, yes, now they would, and this was why it got forbinnen after a certain point in the bible, and man's history. If I'm not mistaken, (?) I think this point was after the flood, as some of the books of law came to be passed down to man.

And this would happen with any species, including humans. If you have no genetic diversity, or essentially, no population diversity, then you will have really bad genetics.

This would happen now, yes, it did not happen at all then, no. Another difference of a merged world, perhaps, to some degree? Or was it simple degradation of genes, etc over time?

So if the story of Adam and Eve is true, as the mother and father of the human race, then we are a race of genetic inbreeds.

Only now is the term a negative one. Then it was normal.

Of course, the folks that wrote the story of Adam and Eve had no comprehension of genetic diversity nor the implications of what a single couple starting our race would mean. So they had no idea that not only would it be highly improbable that a single couple could spawn an entire race, but they also had no clue that it would mean we were all inbreeds. But hey, it was a fictional story after all...the bible that is.

The usual fatal mistake, thinking the present is the ruler for the past.

 

[Dukey]

If not then where did the other people come from? And if so, does that mean we are all messed up at some level? Or were we pure enough then that things like that didn't happen?

God does not condone incest

 

[dad]

God does not condone incest

Of course not. But this has nothing to do with what He did condone.

 

[Dukey]

Of course not. But this has nothing to do with what He did condone.

im just saying it could never happen if God didnt condone it

 

[dad]

im just saying it could never happen if God didnt condone it

OK, fine, I thought you were suggesting that, because He, of course does not now condone it, that somehow He never condoned it in the past, in different conditions.

 

[Dukey]

OK, fine, I thought you were suggesting that, because He, of course does not now condone it, that somehow He never condoned it in the past, in different conditions.

God doesnt change; he never condoned it and never will

 

[dad]

God doesnt change; he never condoned it and never will

Ah. So thats what you were trying to say! Nonsense! Conditions on earth changed, the flood changed things, sin changed things, the split changed things, lifespans changed, (or haven't you heard?), the curse changed a lot of things as well. God doesn't change, but we do, and we are not now in our original perfect state. If you have some other opinion, do not pretend you speak for the bible, or God. Perhaps if you want to speak for the cayholic church, or something, then just say so, but watch out about your baseless proclamations that He never had men in a different set of conditions and rules.

 

[Dukey]

Ah. So thats what you were trying to say! Nonsense! Conditions on earth changed, the flood changed things, sin changed things, the split changed things, lifespans changed, (or haven't you heard?), the curse changed a lot of things as well. God doesn't change, but we do, and we are not now in our original perfect state. If you have some other opinion, do not pretend you speak for the bible, or God. Perhaps if you want to speak for the cayholic church, or something, then just say so, but watch out about your baseless proclamations that He never had men in a different set of conditions and rules.

its not baseless; im just saying what God says in the bible; God says that he doesnt change

 

[dad]

its not baseless; im just saying what God says in the bible; God says that he doesnt change

Should we burn sheep, then, as well, because it says so in the bible? Of course He doesn't change, but the nude 2 people He told to multiply in the garden did change, a lot, over time. He never told them then, anything of the type, did He? No, of course not. You are talking about some laws that came down much much later. God told us to eat meat after the flood, does this mean He told Adam in the garden to do the same? To say God instructed Eden's residents, or even pre flood men to not mate with relatives is baseless, as I just told you. If you dare to contest this, then put up, or pipe down.

 

[Dukey]

Should we burn sheep, then, as well, because it says so in the bible? Of course He doesn't change, but the nude 2 people He told to multiply in the garden did change, a lot, over time. He never told them then, anything of the type, did He? No, of course not. You are talking about some laws that came down much much later. God told us to eat meat after the flood, does this mean He told Adam in the garden to do the same? To say God instructed Eden's residents, or even pre flood men to not mate with relatives is baseless, as I just told you. If you dare to contest this, then put up, or pipe down.

you raise alot of issues here, but without any real basis; just present your main one maybe and ill be glad to address it for you

 

[dad]

you raise alot of issues here, but without any real basis; just present your main one maybe and ill be glad to address it for you

No problem, don't want to overload your circuits here. OK, where in the pre flood world was it told to us by God in any way (except imagined to be implied by religious folks) -that men should only have babies with certain other humans, in a way that ruled out relatives?

 

[Dukey]

No problem, don't want to overload your circuits here. OK, where in the pre flood world was it told to us by God in any way (except imagined to be implied by religious folks) -that men should only have babies with certain other humans, in a way that ruled out relatives?

im not certain; God may have told them but it wasnt written down or anything

 

[Kris_J]

If not then where did the other people come from? And if so, does that mean we are all messed up at some level? Or were we pure enough then that things like that didn't happen?

I'm thinking that possibly the Adams self pro-created (true hermaphrodites). Evolution separated the Adams from the Eves.

 

[dad]

im not certain; God may have told them but it wasnt written down or anything

No, you are not certain, cause it didn't happen. Maybe you should try to be careful to phrase your baseless opinions, and biblical speculations as less than certain, otherwise, someone might, who didn't know the bible, or God, think you knew what you were talking about.

 

[LittleNipper]

There was no incest. Adam and Eve had more then just the 3 boys. The genetic line was okay early on. The genetic line become damaged through mutation. The reason we should not marry a brother or sister today has everything to do with defective genetic information that would likely cause serious birth defects... Today we create a blend, so that in most cases the corrupted genetic information is rejected. That is why we do not marry our sibblings or a 2nd cousin.

 

[larry lunchpail]

he reason we should not marry a brother or sister today has everything to do with defective genetic information that would likely cause serious birth defects...

thats the ONLY reason you wouldnt marry your sister? haha you two could agree not to have kids, you know?

 

[f U z ! o N]

if Adam and Eve never married than they had incest and premarital sex! that makes absolutley no sense!

 

[LittleNipper]

if Adam and Eve never married than they had incest and premarital sex! that makes absolutley no sense!

Adam and Eve were made for each other by GOD. That makes them ORIGINALLY, the most perfect married couple. Your statements are what make no sense.