Theory vs. Hypothesis

[theblindferrengi]

I would like to re-emphasise the difference between a theory and a hypothesis.

I have seen countless times through these forums, somebody trying to argue that their religious viewpoints have just as much truth behind them as scientific theorys like the big bang, because, they say so too are their religious interpretations just theorys.

NO.

All religion, religious texts, and religion-based ideas/philosophies are hypothesis, whereas science is theory.

Whats the difference you say?

A theory is

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1.A set of statements or principles devised to explain a group of facts or phenomena, especially one that has been repeatedly tested or is widely accepted and can be used to make predictions about natural phenomena.

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A hypothesis is

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1. a proposition, or set of propositions, set forth as an explanation for the occurrence of some specified group of phenomena, either asserted merely as a provisional conjecture to guide investigation (working hypothesis) or accepted as highly probable in the light of established facts.
2. a proposition assumed as a premise in an argument.
3. the antecedent of a conditional proposition.
4. a mere assumption or guess

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As you can see, a theory has supporting evidence, but is not proven, wheras a hypothesis has no supporting evidence whatsoever, and is just an untested guess.

Therefore, as stated above, religious views = hypothesis at best; Science = theory or fact.