Incest a sign of moral decay

By JUNIOR UKAHA
THE increase in incest cases in the country is a sign of moral decay, says Lutheran Head Bishop Rev Jack Urame.
Urame said the cases reported in the media were just the tip of the iceberg and there were many unreported cases waiting to be exposed.
He said incest should not be tolerated because it was a societal evil.
“The recent reports of incest indicate a new social trend affecting families and societies today,” he said yesterday following recent reports of men abusing their daughters and stepdaughters.
“If incest cases occur frequently within families, it is a sign of a moral decay in our communities. We must not be silent about it because it indicates a serous moral issue in our society.
“The churches and the government must not be silent about this issue and wait for the courts to deal with it when cases are brought to the police and the courts.”
Urame said incest taboo was a universal taboo found in every society around the world.
He said the taboo was a basic universal principle that held a family together.
Urame said incest taboo differentiated human beings from other animals.
“Animals do not know who they are biologically related to so they mate with their own siblings or parents,” he said.
“Humans are different from other animals because God created them – male and female –with a rational ability to think and make judgment between right and wrong.
“What maintains the respect between biological siblings and parents is the incest taboo.
“What maintains the intimacy of relationship between kin without sexual contact is the incest taboo.
“What holds the love between biological relatives is the incest taboo.
“What keeps the unity within a family is the incest taboo.
“Therefore, incest prohibition defines the core values of a family and keeps them together as a fundamental unit within societies.”
Urame said living together as family means respecting and trusting each other.
“We should respect our siblings and not to regard them as sexual objects,” he said.
“We should maintain the Christian values of love and respect and uphold the God’s commandment.
“We should uphold our strong cultural values and traditions which protect and guide our relationship with each other.
“We must all stand up against the evil of incest and address it seriously.”