Why do so many people not know what the word "theory" means, R.E. Evolution?

I think, the thing is, NOTHING is going to shift some people: they believe, literally, everything that is in The Bible because it's "The word of God"; it's "The word of God" because it's in The Bible. Anything that contradicts what's in The Bible must be wrong because it's not what The Bible says.

You're right, some people don't understand what a "theory" is, don't know what theories of evolution and natural selection propose or what evidence there is. They believe that a text written, who knows when and who knows where, has "strength" because it's never been changed but that the scientific concept if changing a belief as new evidence comes to life is somehow "corrupt". It's perhaps more surprising though that some of these people are incredibly misinformed, confused and, framkly, ignorant about their own religion and the contents of The Bible.

I'm not sure if the word "theory" originally meant "an idea or hunch" first, and was later used by scientists to mean "a collection of explanations that fit all known facts"; or if its original meaning was strictly scientific and it later descended into common parlance.

But it was a mistake to allow the same word to have different meanings because now people can claim, "It's just a theory!" and ignore why they're wrong.

Evolution is beyond hypothesis. The idea of a single common ancestor to all of life has been tested and retested. There is no doubt. Life began around 4 billion years ago and, through evolution, diversified into the forms we see today.

All available evidence supports this.

Don't sweat it.

The excuse "It's just a theory" is actually a valid one, as several scientific theories have historically been (eventually) disproved and rejected by scientists.

There's no onus on people - especially on non-scientists - to accept any particular scientific theory or all scientific theories.

I mean: what do you do when there are competing scientific theories (which is case with many specific scientific subjects)? Do you have to believe all of those theories, even though logically they cannot possibly all be true?

If the non-scientists want to reject a scientific theory, **don't let it bother you**.

- those who reject it don't gain from believing the theory (assuming they are not working in that field)

- the theory does not gain from those people believing in it

- **you and I** don't gain from those people believing in it

Scientific theories serve the needs and goals of scientists and inventors.

Belief in or acceptance of scientific theories by the general public is not necessary.

- Jim, Bach Sci Physics 1989

Totally false...

" a series of observations which at one time were held to be important scientific facts, were a few years later completely discredited and committed to oblivion, without ever having been disproved or indeed newly tested, simply because the conceptual framework of science had meanwhile so altered that the facts no longer appeared credible."

Michael Polanyi

Trying to understand intelligent things only confuses fundies. They say evolution is ONLY a theory and will always be ONLY a theory. But the gravity is ONLY a theory and will always be ONLY a theory. You cannot cure stupid.

Creationists are fed a steaming pile of lies about science. Surely you know that. Read a creationist website sometime. You'll be hard-pressed to find a single true statement there.

It is foolish to do what you are doing!

Believers couldn't care less about your definitions, they constantly invent their own!

They DON'T WANT TO KNOW!!!

It is symptomatic to not accept any possible threat to the local belief infection!

All of science will be denied, and scientists murdered, first, before letting their infection die!

And you want to use logic to kill a leprosy infection?

Actually, there is no evidence. Every time they bring something forward, when it is fully examined it does not support evolution. Nothing does.

They know. They've had it explained to them a million times. They're just being dishonest.

Your Evolution is a religion and based on lies.