First, I thinkg you misuse 'straw man': as 'straw man argument' is a feeble expositoin of the opponent's position which is then easily knocked down to produce a false rhetorical triumph.
The examples I gave (Downs and twin studies for the surprisingly complex, and usually though to be socially deteremined phenomenon of career choice) were in fact strong arguments first as a reminder of the physicality of the brain, and second that complex social behaviors can have a strong genetic component.
The were a propos of the post to which I was responding, and were presented as arguments against what I characterized as its tabula rasa attitude toward behavior, not as any kind of conclusive arguments about the behavior at hand.
You will observe I have nowhere argued for genetic determinism as a basis for erotic attraction, and have always spoken of propensities, or in posts dealing with moral judgement, besetting temptations.
Now, if 'homosexual' is defined behaviorally, one will flag only those who have acted according to the propensity, and thus will not get the entire population of those who have it, whatever its source.
And on what basis do you claim that there is no similarity in 'the tendancy to go gay'? I find no studies with large samples of twins reared apart (hardly suprising for a phenomenon with an incidence rate of about 3% in the general populace). The twin studies which have been done comparing siblings form the same household--all of which find a substantially higher concordance rate for MZ twins of homosexuals (52%) as compared with biological brothers (22%) or adoptive brothers (11%) (I cite only the most recent, Bailey & Pillard, 1991)-- cannot tease apart environment (including prenatal) and genetics, but suggest both play a role.
Yes, I did use the 'strawman' term incorrectly. However, the rest of your comments aren't as accurate. I'm not sure if bait-and-switch, or smoke-and-mirrors is the more appropriate choice.
If you aren't pushing a genetic basis, then there is no reason to bring Downs syndrome into the argument. Whether you consider it direct genetic link to homosexual behavior, or a genetic link to a predisposition to genetic behavior, it's still a genetic basis.
There was a Minnesota study on twins raised separately, that showed dramatic similarities on career choice and other behavior, including the names of spouses. Since homosexuality doesn't match the same high correlation levels, it suggests a lesser role for genetics in homosexuality.
The article I referenced notes that there is a low (20%) correlation between identical twins & gayness. The footnote is: Bailey, J.M., M.P.Dunne, and N.G. Martin, Genetic and environmental influences on sexual orientation and its correlates in an Australian twin sample, J Pers. Soc. Psychol. (in press 2000).
Morality and all of its associated concepts are from the belief some higher power defines what is correct in human behavior. Today, morals are a religious pagan philosophy of esoteric hobgoblins. Transfiguration is a pantheon of fantasies as the medium of infinitization. Others get derision for having an unwavering Judaic belief in Yahweh or Yeshua, although their critics and enemies will evangelize insertion of phantasmagoric fetishisms into secular law.
There are three ways people are influenced according to the school of behavioral psychology - - visual (sight), auditory (sound), kinesthetic (emotion). The kinesthetic or ‘feeling’ is also olfactory and tactile sense, just like Pavlov’s salivating dogs (conditioned responses).
Considering that 90% of people tend to be more influenced by the visual, television has become a new religion. It is analogous to Plato’s cave allegory and the pagan Oracle of Delphi. The visual media as a propaganda tool helps create visual phantasms or fantastical images in the brain.
Was Freudian psychoanalytic theory of sexual stages in psychological development more accurate than accredited? The Michael Jackson Complex is fixation on mutilation of and deviance with human anatomy in the media. It is a social psychosis catering to the lowest common denominator and generated with Pavlovian behavioral conditioning in popular culture.
Visual images and sound portrayed can be used to anchor emotional and/or conditioned responses desired by those that present them, which is the case of the visual media, actors who create fantastical images in film, and Leftist politicians who pander to ‘symbolism over substance.’
Observe when in public places, at your workplace or in other community activities (i.e., restaurants, retail stores, gas stations, etc.) the pervasive presence of some exposure to music or television. This is because many people are actually terrified of being alone with their own thoughts or at the prospect of it (neuro-linguistic programming).
Unsex me here!Who is he that is not of woman borne?
Surely, the angel they must serve would have told them that they were borne of woman.
Divinity of Hell!
When devils will the blackest of sins put on, they do suggest at first with heavenly shows, as they do now.
They are of a free and open nature, that thinks men honest that but seem to be so, and will as tenderly be led by the nose as asses are.
All the world is a stage for such villainous parody from these that have so slender a claim to be admitted to the table of the Saints.
I can not see how any objective scientist can look at the data and not see a significant role for nature and nurture. You can debate which has the larger effect, but clearly sexual preferences is not determined solely by genetics. Unfortunately, we have a generation of doctors that are being taught precisely that.