Evolution is Only a Theory

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Those who favor teaching alternatives to evolution in public school science classes often argue that evolution is "only a theory". The argument probably stems from a misunderstanding of the meaning of "theory" and "fact" in science, as opposed to the meaning in everyday life.

In everyday life, a "theory" often means a vague fuzzy concept with a suggestion of uncertainty and guesswork. "Theory" can imply an impractical idea that does not always work out. However, in science a theory is a consistent framework that explains observed facts and predicts other facts. A scientific theory must be consistent with all relevant facts. If a theory makes a prediction that is contrary to observation, then the theory must be revised or abandoned. An acceptable scientific theory is falsifiable; that is, we must be able to imagine an event that would disprove the theory if it was observed under certain circumstances. If the falsifying event cannot be observed, but events predicted by the theory are observed, then the theory is given higher credence.
In ordinary usage, a "fact" is considered to be absolutely true and undeniable. There is often an implication of eternal truth. An assertion of "fact" is considered to be either true or false with no intermediate gradation. However, science does not give an assurance of complete, undeniable truth. Assertions of fact in science have varying degrees of credibility. For example, the assertion that the "earth is flat" is very near the bottom of the credibility scale. The evidence against this proposition is so overwhelming that it would be silly or perverse to assign it a high credibility. The assertion that "apples fall downward" is very near the top of the credibility scale; it would be silly or perverse to deny the credibility of this proposition.

Scientists infer the credibility of facts or propositions in several ways. Direct observation is used whenever possible. However, direct observation of past evolution is not possible because there were no scientists living millions of years ago. Another method of determining credibility is "constructive" or "circumstantial" inference. If a large constellation of data points to the construct and few or no data negate the construct, the credibility is high.
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http://www.cesame-nm.org/index.php?name=Sections&req=viewarticle&artid=32&page=1
 
killadoob said:
I think Evolution is a fact and nothing will ever change my mind.
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Read the text first. That is basically what the article is saying :)

Summary​

There are differences in the meanings of "fact" and "theory" in science and every day life. "Theory" in science does not imply guesswork or impracticality. Evolution is a fact in the scientific view. Natural selection is a potent theory that explains the fact of evolution and predicts the data that will be observed in the future. Although some scientists debate the details of the theory, the overwhelming majority accepts the basic concept.
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Evolution can be thought of as a religion.

Because you need faith to accept and believe in it.

I believe in the Bible, and have faith in it.
 
The_Librarian said:
Evolution can be thought of as a religion.

Because you need faith to accept and believe in it.

I believe in the Bible, and have faith in it.
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Do you need faith to accept and believe in gravity? Or in the germ theory of disease? Do you need faith before switching on your computer each morning in the hope that it will run?
 
you need faith for just about everything... in your subconcious you have faith that you pc will switch on, the sun will shine, your house will still be standing...

I am christian but yet can agree that we are evolving everyday...

i just doubt the point as to what we evolved from...
 
Peder said:
you need faith for just about everything... in your subconcious you have faith that you pc will switch on, the sun will shine, your house will still be standing...

I am christian but yet can agree that we are evolving everyday...

i just doubt the point as to what we evolved from...
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And what "point" is that?
 
The Theory of Evolution seeks to explain the phenomenon called Evolution.

phe⋅nom⋅e⋅non
   /fɪˈnɒməˌnɒn, -nən/ Show Spelled Pronunciation [fi-nom-uh-non, -nuhn] Show IPA
–noun, plural -na  /-nə/ Show Spelled Pronunciation [-nuh] Show IPA or, especially for 3, -nons.
1. a fact, occurrence, or circumstance observed or observable: to study the phenomena of nature.
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Peder said:
the point is. i doubt we evolved from a single cell or even monkeys. We are becoming more complex day by day we are evolving as a species every single day that we roam the earth.
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So why couldn't we have been [-]monkeys[/-] a common ancestor to modern African apes, "becoming more and more complex day by day", bringing us to where we are today?

I am just using your reasoning that I bolded.
 
I only think its the mentally retarded evolution denialists that still dont get this. You will always get creationists, just like you still get religious people who believe the world is still flat (Flat Earth Society).

Evolution is a fact and a theory. People who have bred with their family members have a fked up perception on the words. These sick people think that a theory becomes a fact in some kinda heirarchy of truth... when in reality.. a theory explains a fact.
 
The_Librarian said:
Evolution can be thought of as a religion.

Because you need faith to accept and believe in it.

I believe in the Bible, and have faith in it.
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Evolution requires no faith at all and such a comment is dishonest. Sorry libs but thats a low blow and just repeated garbage propaganda.

Religion requires faith because you are trying to prove something that cant be proved. Science requires complete skepticism. You dont have to accept ANYTHING at face value and through empirical evidence, observation and experiments you can repeat you can confirm (without any faith at all).. any of the billions of pieces of evidence confirming evolution.

Also calling Evolution a religion is a dishonest use of both the word "evolution" and "religion". I know you to be a good oke Libs... please be careful when dealing with this subject and making comments on this.. because I really really dont see you as someone who would knowingly be dishonest with information.
 
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