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Explanation has the same requirement of cogency as theory, though theory may imply more formalism. I'll grant you that. I however, was not going for formalism. I'm content with explanation. That said, I've seen theories put forth with less foundation than a good explanation. :)

Paradigm shifts happen despite well-founded formalisms. The gauntlet is down, now. The Evo side must prove ID wrong, while ID must fight to stay on its feet. Get to work.

Thanks for the reply.

If you are doing science, you must follow the rules of science. "Theory" is a specific thing, a well-defined entity. Explanation is a ... what? Explanation is nice, but what is its standing in the methodology of science? "The moon is made of green cheese" is an explanation, but in science it is not a theory, let alone a well-supported theory.

You note that you've "seen theories put forth with less foundation than a good explanation" and that might be. But how were they treated by scientists, as opposed to others? The vernacular term "theory" is different from the scientific term--and generally implies a guess. That is not the same!

You note "The Evo side must prove ID wrong, while ID must fight to stay on its feet."

Wrong! Evolution is a well-supported theory. It has seen 150 years of challenge and has withstood that challenge. It has seen the development of archaeology, genetics, most of paleontology, geology, and biology, and a host of other disciplines and it has survived the challenge of new data. What more do you want?

ID must show that it has any science going for it just to get a foot into the door. So far it has not done so. There is no science there. No predictions, no data, no nothing. Just the final answer, which is a spin-off of divine revelation in sheep's clothing.

ID appears to be a spin-off from creationism, which is based on divine revelation. It was developed following the Supreme Court decision of the 1980s and now is attempting to hide its creationist roots.

So far, nothing I have seen on these threads has led me to believe otherwise; a large percentage of IDers end up quoting the bible! What am I to believe is their motivation?