Isn’t evolution just a theory?

Technically yes. But a theory in science has a different meaning than in layman’s terms. In science, a theory means “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.” (The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company.)

There are many theories in science that people seem to have no problem with. The theory of gravitation, theory of electricity, and the germ theory of disease are just a few. If someone is going to label evolution as just a theory, then all these and more must be labeled as such as well. The theory of evolution is the most attacked scientific theory in history, and it has withstood every attack. This testifies to the strength of the theory of evolution.

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Evolution Questions:

Common Misconceptions About Evolution

• Can biology be taught without evolution?
• I heard there are hundreds of scientists against evolution. Is this true?
• Isn’t evolution just a theory?
• Scientists are human, and humans make mistakes. How can we trust their conclusions?
• Since evolution can’t explain everything, does that mean it is wrong?
• Since so many people believe in creationism, shouldn’t it be taught as well just to be fair?
• There are only two explanations, creationism or evolution.

Common Creationist Claims

• Creationists say that there is no evidence for evolution and that all the evidence points to creationism. Is this true?
• Did a global flood deposit all the fossils?
• Did Darwin recant on his deathbed?
• Do you want to be descended from a monkey?
• Does evolution violate the second law of thermodynamics?
• Does the entire geologic column exist?
• Has speciation ever been observed?
• How many scientists are actually creationists?
• I have heard people claim that evolution is the cause of all our social problems. Communism, Nazism, racism, lust, greed, hate, all are caused by the teaching of evolution. Is this true?
• I have heard that there are no transitional fossils. Or alternatively, that there are not enough transitional fossils. Is this true?
• I’ve heard that crime rates have gone up since the teaching of evolution began. Surely there must be a correlation?
• If evolution is true, does that mean that there are no morals?
• If humans are descended from apes, why are there still apes around?
• Is Carbon 14 dating accurate?
• Is Creationism scientific?
• Is it possible for evolution to create the diversity of life? I don’t see how it could have happened. Surely it had to have had a creator?
• Is it true that human and dinosaur tracks have been found together at Paluxy River, Texas?
• Is the earth only 6,000 years old?
• Isn’t evolution just another religion?
• Micro evolution occurs, but macro evolution does not. Is this true?
• Piltdown man was a hoax, what does that mean for evolution?
• The Cambrian Explosion shows new creatures appearing suddenly, with no ancestors. There are no Precambrian fossils. How could this occur?
• Were many famous scientists creationists? Newton and Pasteur were creationists.
• Were you there when evolution happened?
• What is Creationism?

Intelligent Design

• As we see design in nature, surely there must be a designer?
• Does Intelligent Design have explanatory power?
• Intelligent Design does not name a designer. Surely it could have been caused be an advanced alien civilization instead of a supernatural entity?
• Is the universe fine tuned for life?
• Some people claim that intelligent design is not creationism and that it is something entirely new. Is this correct?
• Surely Intelligent Design is not religious, but scientific in nature?
• Surely some things are too complex to evolve. Isn’t it true that the human eye and bacteria flagellum are examples of irreducible complexity?