Actually I came up with the original definitions based on a lot of web and dictionary searching. PH started a thread to work on the definitions as a group project, and a lot of good suggestions were submitted. As far as I know that thread is still open for comments and suggestions.
These definitions are meant to give new posters, as well as some regulars, an idea of how scientists define scientific terms, and how basic dictionaries define other relevant terms.
As you point out, this should cut down on "on unnecessary flame wars caused by people fighting over two different meanings of the same word" -- but some people simply will not accept the standard definitions of terms because they do not like the implications. For example, theory has a specific meaning to scientists, and it is not the "guess" or "hunch" meaning often attributed to it by the layman. But those who want to promote ID as a theory have to denigrate the definition of a theory to do so.
This is serious stuff because specific words mean specific things. If a "scientific theory" is equated with a "wild guess" then somebody is trying to sell us a bill of goods, first by misrepresenting the scientific method and secondly by trying to slip the Trojan horse through the gates. Dishonest in either case.
Involuntary sophomoric *snicker* !
I'm sorry Coyoteman--I forgot it was you, thought it was either CarolinaGuitarman or PH.
And PH, forgot the obligatory courtesy *ping* on the earlier post. My bad.
Cheers!