(September 16, 2013 at 6:01 pm)Zone Wrote: Scientists shot themselves in a foot slightly when they called string theory a theory when it's more a string hypothesis.

Physics operates under different rules than Biology, and I kind of get why: they have less ability to experimentally prove ideas. Mathematical models have to be enough for many areas of physics which still yield extremely valuable insights. In Biology, as I well know due to lots of unpublished data, it's not enough to show it in an experiment- you have to have convincing explanations for your data as well.

I usually don't argue with creationists, because they usually can't even give me an adequate definition of evolution, and that means I have to try to raise them from scratch, which is wearying to do again and again. I'd be just delighted if a creationist came up with a NEW argument for me to think about.

They don't do "new."

(September 17, 2013 at 11:33 pm)Minimalist Wrote: They don't do "new."

Ain't THAT the truth. I had high hopes that someone in the ID camp would at least be creative and exercise my mind a bit, but it's the same old retreads gussied up in sciency language. Yawn.

They need to be told that gravity is only a theory, too.

Creationism isn't even a hypothesis, It is a sorry excuse for the willingly ignorant to remain so.

I'm surprised Statler hasn't stirred a turd in this punchbowl yet.

Yeah it doesn't take him long to get wound up over evolution, does it?

(September 18, 2013 at 9:16 am)Doubting Thomas Wrote: They need to be told that gravity is only a theory, too.

Someone should probably also mention to them that there's also Music Theory (go ahead creationists, tell me how I have to prove Bach and Beethoven before you'll believe their music exists!), Germ Theory (it's only a theory, so why wash your hands or bathe, ever?), Atomic Theory (no need to worry about nukes! it's just a theory!), etc.

I like AronRa's explanation best, from the 16th video in this playlist (the whole series is great, though), explaining the use of the term using gravitational theory as an example.
The FACT of gravity is that things tend to fall down (rather than in any random direction).
The LAW of gravity is that matter attracts matter (and all the related math).
Now, why does matter attract matter? That's the THEORY of gravity; the overarching explanation and exploration of the facts and the law of gravity.

We actually have much more evidence supporting evolutionary theory than we do gravitational theory.

For many, religion is science.

(September 28, 2013 at 11:32 pm)Deidre32 Wrote: For many, religion is science.

I've been told by a hindu once that the entire scripture is science. Back then I was too polite to say anything and just gave her an incredulous look. If only I can redo that encounter ...