smooth

I suspect you both are actually agreeing with one another or, at least in my opinion, only partially correct.

A scientific theory, while not fact, certainly carries more weight than the common usage of the word "theory" in the US. People often use it to signify an idea based on assumptions or even facts, but it's a very loosely held notion as compared to a scientific theory which, as already been pointed out by numerous people, is based on observable and testible facts.

What superbelt then went on to state, if I read him correctly, is that evolution from one organism to another clearly happens and is not in dispute by any scientist. That is, "micro"-evolution is scientific fact.
The "theory of evolution" is often understood to be scientific speculation on the origin of the human species. That is indeed theory, based on scientific facts, one of which is micro-evolution. Of course, as of yet we have no factual basis to conclude that species evolve into different species. We have things like fossil records and concepts like vestigial apparatii to point us to that conclusion, but so far no one that I have ever read claims to have directly observed evolution of one species into a new species.



ART: if you're still here, the disclaimer you posted up above regarding a number of scientists disputing the accuracy of evolution in regards to the origin of our species is pretty much verbatim of what was told to my school's biology class years ago.

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"The theory of a free press is that truth will emerge from free discussion, not that it will be presented perfectly and instantly in any one account." -- Walter Lippmann

"You measure democracy by the freedom it gives its dissidents, not the freedom it gives its assimilated conformists." -- Abbie Hoffman

Faygo

Why not just skip the whole mess and not teach the theory of evolution. It would make both sides happy the stark raving athesists and the bible thumpers. If the children get curious they can go to the library or ask their parents.

Easy as that.

Fourtyrulz

What would be the point of that? The kids would learn nothing then, and the only people it would maybe please would be the religious right. Politics should never overrule science, as you're suggesting in this case.

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the·o·ry - a working hypothesis that is considered probable based on experimental evidence or factual or conceptual analysis and is accepted as a basis for experimentation.
faith - Belief that does not rest on logical proof or material evidence.
- Merriam-Webster's dictionary

Faygo

Well since evolution is taught in most biology classes or some sort of science class there is plenty to be learned. Since both sides seem fit to debate this topic to death it seems useless. Kind of trying to convince something that their wrong over the internet.

Fourtyrulz

It is really a useless debate once you lay down what exactly is science and what is not. Beyond that the argument gets way too deep in theology and politics.


Words are words, spoken or written, books or radio, internet or phonecall.

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the·o·ry - a working hypothesis that is considered probable based on experimental evidence or factual or conceptual analysis and is accepted as a basis for experimentation.
faith - Belief that does not rest on logical proof or material evidence.
- Merriam-Webster's dictionary

shakran

Well, I tell ya. If I went into a church, and they started teaching me algebra, I'd get annoyed. That's not what people are there for. They're there to learn about the bible.


If I go into school, I'm not there to learn about the bible. I'm there to learn other stuff.

If you're so desperate for your kid to learn about creationism or intelligent design, teach him yourself or better yet, find out if your clergy is teaching it. If they are, great. They're doing their job. If they're not, it's not the school's responsibility to make up for their failure.

Fourtyrulz

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__________________
the·o·ry - a working hypothesis that is considered probable based on experimental evidence or factual or conceptual analysis and is accepted as a basis for experimentation.
faith - Belief that does not rest on logical proof or material evidence.
- Merriam-Webster's dictionary