Twins

[Caffeine Socialism]

It's so obvious. Twins have differences because of embryological (and for the rest of your life) development. The genes guide this development along, but they don't control it precisely. That is up to the environment which acts upon the genes and the proteins that they make.

Of course, souljah, your very question was flawed. Hydrogen atoms are exactly the same: one proton, one electron. Why don't they all do the same thing? Maybe hydrogen has a soul?

 

[Humanista]

I would think that any god that allows twins to be born as part of his plan, would also allow for the bestowing of a soul in each one.

Or does Satan make it split? Man, is he clever!

 

[Late_Cretaceous]

Hank, since I am from Edmonton - I would have to conclude that the one in Calgary is evil (especially if she cheers for the fLames)

"How would you go about testing this hypothesis?"
Just take it on faith, that way it is irrefutable.

 

[Late_Cretaceous]

If you beleive that twins both have souls, then you MUST support abortion on demand.

If you beleive that, after an embryo splits, that a new soul can be imparted on one - which gets the original? Also, that means that having a soul is not contingent on the moment of conception. Therefore, it is possible that the soul be imparted AFTER conception. And if a sould is imparted after conception, then it is perfectly fine to KILL the embryo since it won't be destroying a soul. And if the embroy does not have a soul at the moment of conception, then when does it get it? Anyone who does not get this is willing to kill the unborn!





YOu do realize that this is a satire.

 

[LewisWildermuth]

LC, I'm afraid that humor is a quickly dying facet of fundimental christianity.

Why? I'm not sure, maybe they think it is evil or something.

 

[seebs]

Originally posted by s0uljah
WHA? Why would they do that, if they were just chemicals governing their thoughts. Where is the "If I am a twin, distingish myself" gene?

I don't think you have to be a twin to try very hard to distinguish yourself.

 

[LadyShea]

During fetal development, certain hormones are generated by the pregnancy which spark the various "phases". Research is being done to see if these hormones cause homosexuality etc. Anyway, usually one twin is larger/stronger/faster growing than the other; they develop at different rates...this indicates they are splitting the hormones, nourishment etc unevenly which can cause subtle yet noticeable differences later.

This may also explain (though not verified) why not all identical twins share sexual preference.

 

[DialecticMaterialist]

Studies show twins have 40 percent to 60 percent behvioral similarities, far more then is expected by chance. Even when reared apart and having different enviroments. This shows that genes play a large role in behavior. Question, how could genes influence a free soul in any way?

Likewise they will probably not try to destinguish themselves from eachother for cultural reasons as much as they do Darwinian reasons. For this same reason family members can differ in behavior as much as people who are unrelated, despite having similiar overall enviroments. This is because each one is trying to find a different niche, though in reality such differences are slight. As twins do share so many of the same genes, competition from a Darwinian viewpoint seems pointless. Read Frank Sulloway's "Born to Rebel." FOr more on this.

 

[DialecticMaterialist]

During fetal development, certain hormones are generated by the pregnancy which spark the various "phases". Research is being done to see if these hormones cause homosexuality etc. Anyway, usually one twin is larger/stronger/faster growing than the other; they develop at different rates...this indicates they are splitting the hormones, nourishment etc unevenly which can cause subtle yet noticeable differences later.

I've heard of this, and while interesting this fails to describe why there would be a disproportionate amount of gays in certain areas and why there would be more in certain times during history i.e. Sparta.

I'm more leaning to the idea that it's an exegentic trait, and that sexual preference, while somewhat biological based, is set during some window of development. This would make sense, as female appearences do change through history, and though attraction to females has remained constant and partially biological, there must be some felixibility in there so that the males will still see a female as attractive regardless of appearance. Perhaps gays somehow during this window are conditioned to see their own sex as attractive. Just as ducks can mistakenly identify a man as their mother and act accordingly. Not saying this makes being gay a "mistake". No more then it makes being a heterosexual a "mistake". I'm just saying that perhaps the process of sexual perference may be partially genetic in general but set by enviromental triggers during a certain window. That to me makes more sense then fetal imbalances, though it may be a combination of both.

 

[LadyShea]

I've heard of this, and while interesting this fails to describe why there would be a disproportionate amount of gays in certain areas and why there would be more in certain times during history i.e. Sparta.

I don't know much about the theory, but societal differences (homosexuality acceptable or shunned so more people admit or are closeted), environmental or dietary weirdness could possibly account for this. Just some random thoughts

Your theory is also interesting is there work being done on this (if so reference please)

I am sure it is biological no matter the actual cause...I don't get it that people feel sexual preference is a choice.

 

[Chris†opher Paul]

Originally posted by Humanista
I would think that any god that allows twins to be born as part of his plan, would also allow for the bestowing of a soul in each one.

Um...that was my point.