Genetics and Morality

[JillLars]

As humans we are born with a lot of different traits. Many of them can be attributed to genetics. When dealing with morality, how should genetics play a part? As Christians, where do we draw the line? Homosexuality is one issue this would apply to. If a person is born homosexual, should we expect them to change that, or at least to pretend not to be homosexual. Alcoholism is something else that can sometimes be attributed to genetics. While it is obvious that one can simply choose not to drink, would God judge someone who is more prone to alcoholism differently than someone who is not? What about race? There was a time when many Christians supported slavery, and other timse when the church denounced inter-racial marriages. Now, it is obvious that race is not something that a person can choose, or change. I don't know if this makes any sense, I am just wondering about the role genetics plays in morality. I don't want this thread to turn into another one of the homosexual bashing threads, its simply about genetics and morality.

 

[David Gould]

There have been studies done on twins separated at birth and adopted out particularly through the meticulous records that the Danish keep of such things.

I do not have the book with the exact figures in it on me but children with a biological parent who is a criminal are extremely likely to be criminals even if raised in the home of a non criminal. Being raised in a criminal environment has only a very minor impact on rates of criminality. Examining the differences between twins raised in different environemtns gives a very good picture of the genetic/environment influences

This suggests that there is a very significant genetic influence on the tendency to perform criminal acts. As such, not only is the Christian idea of morality likely flawed but every justice system ever devised. It seems that some criminal behaviour at least is likely a genetic disease.

I will bring in the figures tomorrow (if I remember!).

 

[JillLars]

Thanks David Gould. We should start a thread on the justice system some time...there are some serious flaws, but that's a whole nother topic

How does God judge someone who is more likely to "sin" than others? Obviously, a heterosexual is less likely to lie with a man than a homosexual. Many Christians believe that we are born with sin, that our nature is to be sinful, but what about the people with predispositions to be more "sinful" than others.

 

[Cosmic Hippo]

I think genetic predispositions(as well as environmental influences) can mitigate the culpability of the sinner. Christian morality takes this into account, as does our justice system.

 

[JillLars]

In what cases does the Christian morality system take this into account. While I am sure that God does take these sort of things into account, many times I hear Christians who have a "just deal with it" attitude towards people who are predisposed to a sin that they themselves are not (homosexuality being a key example. Many Christians I know do not allow nature as an excuse for sin because supposedly we are all born into sin, but how is it fair that some are born into more sin than others? If that makes sense, thanks for the replies so far.

 

[Jet Black]

well schizophrenics who kill are put into asylums and not prisons where they can be treated properly, since the schizophrenia is not their fault. one could argue the same should apply to things like homosexuality. homosexuality is not the fault of the person, it is not a choice (unlike homosexual acts which are a choice) so why should a homosexual be treated in the way of a common sinner, for example a thief or an adulterer?