[gallo]

Quote by: Thaway You will have to forgive me…I'm new at this.

No problem. New isn't a detriment. Nor is ignorance with an honest effort to learn. Only intentional ignorance, based on dogma, is unforgivable.

Quote by: Thaway Given your views, please explain for me how you interpret the persistence of the genetic components of homosexuality in the human race.

I'm not sure what you mean by my "views." I actually haven't given many of my views. Mostly I have stated evolutionary theory. Perhaps you can enlighten me as to what views you are talking about.

Quote by: Thaway If you feel that traits that are not reproductively beneficial would fade into oblivion if they are not included in sexually reproducing people, then homosexuality is either a very recent phenomena (not likely) or an exception (a genetic mutation that never seems to go away…that would be a logical impossibility…because something cannot be both systematic and random).

Where did I ever say that homosexuality was genetic? Please offer some support for your assertion.

You seem to be unaware that homosexuality has been observed in many species, from chimpanzees to penguins. It seems to be a natural condition. To be honest, I don't know if it is genetic. Please offer your evidence.

Quote by: Thaway When you said "statistically more likely" even though that is technically correct, it would be more accurate to say "more probabilistic" since stats are based on probabilities and are merely a form of reporting probabilities...thus stats themselves are not the principle driving the phenomena that certain things are more or less likely to occur.

Why try to confuse the issue? Certain characteristics tend to be more successful at producing offspring. When examined, they are "statistically more likely." Perhaps you are unfamiliar with population genetics.

Quote by: Thaway But nonetheless, you did bring up stats and I would love to talk about them in this context. Do you realize that scientific evidence is all based on the stats they report? Scientific findings are never facts...they are merely probabilistic statements about the likelihood of what was observed in an experiment was due to chance (this is where stats come in). You might say “so what”?

Indeed. You read my mind.

Quote by: Thaway Well, this actually means that all the scientific evidence (which is what it really is...evidence) could be wrong. Though it is EXTREMLY unlikely, it is possible.

Do you even know what science is and how it works? Of course it could be wrong. It could be that the earth doesn't orbit the sun. It could be that various micropathogens don't cause disease. what was your point?

Quote by: Thaway Every experiment require human observation…humans are prone to observation errors, just look at eye witness testimony inconsistencies.

And humans are also prone to being duped by religious charlatans. Do you have a point?

Quote by: Thaway Every experiment requires humans to design them…this requires forethought and prediction based on theory; a lot of room for error there.

But no room for error in the reading of scripture?

Quote by: Thaway People have bias, independent observers are not always consistent, experimental conditions vary across experiments, and many theories can never be directly tested…like evolution.

And that is why science progresses by peer review. You don't know much about how science works, do you? As for evolution, it has been observed and those observations formed the hypotheses that formed the basis for the predictions that have been experimentally verified. Please educate yourself before you speak.

Quote by: Thaway Until we have an experimental earth and control earth and billions of years, science could never verify evolution.

What a mindless statement. Is it preferable to posit mythology?

Quote by: Thaway So if you want to rely on scientific evidence to support your beliefs (which they are beliefs, just as the Muslims and the Christians have beliefs) that is fine, just make sure you understand all the faith gaps that exist in your belief system before you go and criticize someone else’s faith based belief system.

But I don't believe in evolution. My belief system is something else, not evolutionary biology. Biology is a matter of reason and logic rather than some superstition based mythology.

Quote by: Thaway You might say "where does science require faith?". Many, many places...that is why science itself acknowledges the possibility it is mistaken, and therefore requires the use of statistics to estimate the likelihood its findings are due to chance.

Why do you find it necessary to argue with this straw man? Why do you think that it is necessary to reduce science to the level of faith? Is it that your faith is weak? I see the symptom often.

Quote by: Thaway So, I raised a lot of issues...let me know which ones you would prefer to talk about by responding selectively.

You raised nonsensical mythology. Let me know which particular myth you wish to discuss by responding selectively.

Quote by: Thaway Again, then explain the persistence of the genetic components of homosexuality.

Again, show that there are genetic components and show how they must necessarily be eliminated from the genome. Your assertion isn't sufficient.

So explain to me why it is that you fear homosexuals? Homophobia seems to be a characteristic of suppressed homosexuals. Why are you so interested?