What are the scientific reasons for having sex?

The Register (UK) ^ | 10 oct 06 | Dr Stephen Juan

[rwfromkansas]

Of course.

But, God also gave it to us for enjoyment.....WITHIN the marriage relationship.

Those who view it only as a means of procreation are missing out on something that God gave us for pleasure, not just procreation.

[ArrogantBustard]

Do NOT put words in my mouth. I've simply stated facts. Civilisations have risen, collapsed, and been replaced throughout human history. Demographic decline is one (of many) causes of civilisational collapse.

[valkyrieanne]

Well, yes, but since many men in other parts of the world have more than one wife, and as a result can have many more children, we should take up those practices as well if we are going to compete in the race to populate the world.

Good point. There's no way a nation of monogamists can keep up with a nation of polygamists (especially if they invade and steal your women too.) /sarcasm

[steve-b]

Albania 2.03
Algeria 1.89
Bosnia 1.22
Iran 1.8
Tunisia 1.74
Turkey 1.92
VS
United States 2.09

Now you've gone and done spoiled a perfectly good apocalyptic sermon with facts.

[Pyro7480]

One final note: God bless you for your sacrifice (your choice to stay at home with your kids).

[najida]

Well,
someone's gonna have to have my 3, since I can't do it....

and since we're making rules about it....
They have to be all girls and love cute shoes.

[Pyro7480]

That's why I use the words "primary" and "secondary." I take the Thomist stand, not the Augustinian one.

[najida]

What they aren't considering are infant and maternal mortality rates ;)

Facts can be buggers can't they.

[Pyro7480]

I'm like you in one respect. I can't walk away from this. The only hypocrisy present is perceived. You, of course, will fail to see it.

[rwfromkansas]

I seem to recall 2.1 being replacement level....we are basically there right now.

[ArrogantBustard]

Now you've gone and done spoiled a perfectly good apocalyptic sermon with facts.

Actually, he has done no such thing. He's cherry picked a few countries. All of the Western European countries are absent from his list, as are most of the militant islamic countries. Perhaps if he would supply a link to his source, and provide more comprehensive data, his "research" would be useful.

[Redmen4ever]

two reasons:

REcreation, reCREaction

[ArrogantBustard]

Facts can be buggers can't they.

Too bad the Czar didn't post a complete set of them.

[CzarNicky]

I am a skunk in the rose garden.

[blackie]

I was speaking only of my personal experience ~ no hamsters involved, just members of the opposite sex. >:-}

[ArrogantBustard]

I am a skunk in the rose garden.

Yep. Your research stinks.

[Texas Songwriter]

You do remarkable work. Anything more?

[steve-b]

I seem to recall 2.1 being replacement level....we are basically there right now.

In the long run, reproduction rates (of surviving offspring) oscillate around that level, for obvious reasons (much above that, something kills off the excess; much below that, opening of new niches encourages increase reproduction).

[JackDanielsOldNo7]

There is no practical difference between using contraception and converting to Islam

wtf? I must be a mullah since I had a vasectomy. Nice try.

[steve-b]

LOL -- coming from someone who has contributed no mathematically quantifiable data to the discussion, that's rich.