Prohibited degree of kinship
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The prohibited degree of kinship refers to a degree of consanguinity (relatedness) below which sexual interrelationships are regarded as incestuous. Inbreeding is a taboo across nearly all cultures worldwide, but the line at which a relationship is considered incestuous varies. The prohibited degree of kinship may exist between siblings, half-siblings, first cousins, third cousins, etc.
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[edit] In Catholicism
In the Roman Catholic Church, unwittingly marrying a closely-consanguinious blood relative is grounds for an annulment, but dispensations were granted, actually almost routinely (the Roman Catholic Church's ban on marriage within the fourth degree of relationship (third cousins) lasted from 1550 to 1917; before that, the prohibition was to marriages between as much as seventh degree of kinship).
[edit] In the Eastern Church
Until the 20th century the Russian Orthodox Church explicitly prohibited marriage within seven degrees of kinship. Many Old Believer groups maintain the prohibition to this day.
[edit] References
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