There’s an important difference between a scientific theory and the fanciful theories of an imaginative raconteur, and this quirk of semantics can lead to an all-too-common misconception. In general conversation, a ‘theory’ might simply mean a guess. But a scientific theory respects a somewhat stricter set of requirements. When scientists discuss theories, they are designed as comprehensive explanations for things we observe in nature. They’re founded on strong evidence and provide ways to make real-world predictions that can be tested.
While scientific theories aren’t necessarily all accurate or true, they shouldn’t be belittled by their name alone. The theory of natural selection, quantum theory, the theory of general relativity and the germ theory of disease aren’t ‘just theories’. They’re structured explanations of the world around us, and the very foundation of science itself.
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I wish I could speak this affluently when talking to creationists. Why are they so blind to the truth? It makes me want to tear my hair out. Quoting some ancient book seems to be all they need; I would rather see with my own two eyes evidence and proof, not take the word of some book that I don’t believe to be written by ‘god.’
May you burn for all eternity Amy, our maker didn’t plant them fossils for nothing you heathen 👼👼👼
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