Compulsion

A termite "cathedral" mound produced by a termite colony: a classic example of emergence in nature. Is this building in any way a sin?

Oh, termites are darn near sodomites! Sinful critters. :-)

I supposed what you mean is that they are genetically compelled to build. And if was stipulated that building the "cathedral" was bad, then following their genetic compulsion would be a "sin."

Several points:

• They're termites, not humans. Humans are unique in this world.
  
• If the problem is in calling the structure a "cathedral" (borderline blasphemy?), then I would say I doubt he termites themselves call it that. They probably don't call it anything. They probably "say" -- "Queen smell there. Go there."
• There's a difference between genetic capacity and genetic compulsion.
  

There are very few human behaviors that are truly mandated by our genetics. Breathing, digestive processing, gag reflex, closing eyes when sneezing -- involuntary. Being an adulterer -- an exercise of the will.

Here's an interesting question:

• Two people -- a man and a woman -- unmarried but living together for companionship and survival -- are asked to abide by God's will and abstain from any sexual activity, though they both desire it.
• Two people -- a man and a man, or a woman and a woman -- unmarried but living together for companionship and survival -- are asked to abide by God's will and abstain from sexual activity, though they both desire it.
  

What's the difference? Other than "the hetero couple have the option to get married and the gay couple does not." The focus is on the exercise of the will to practice abstainance.

It's always struck me as an odd argument that "having sex" has been elevated to the highest level of human "rights."

Another question:

• A homosexual couple lives their lives in a committed, caring way where their sexual behavior is at best a secondary definitional element of their relationship.
  
• A homosexual couple lives their lives in a wild, promiscuous way where their sexual behavior is by far the primary definitional element of their relationship.
  

Is there a difference in the way society would react to one versus the other? If so, why?