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To: Echo Talon
the·o·ry N
Abstract reasoning; speculation
An assumption based on limited information or knowledge; a conjecture.

Nice try. See below (from Google):

Theory: a well-substantiated explanation of some aspect of the natural world; an organized system of accepted knowledge that applies in a variety of circumstances to explain a specific set of phenomena; "theories can incorporate facts and laws and tested hypotheses." Addendum: "Theories do not grow up to be laws. Theories explain laws." (Courtesy of VadeRetro.)

Hypothesis: a tentative theory about the natural world; a concept that is not yet verified but that if true would explain certain facts or phenomena; "a scientific hypothesis that survives experimental testing becomes a scientific theory"; "he proposed a fresh theory of alkalis that later was accepted in chemical practices"

Guess: an opinion or estimate based on incomplete evidence, or on little or no information

Law: a generalization that describes recurring facts or events in nature; "the laws of thermodynamics"

Assumption: premise: a statement that is assumed to be true and from which a conclusion can be drawn; "on the assumption that he has been injured we can infer that he will not to play"

Model: a simplified framework designed to illuminate complex processes; a hypothetical description of a complex entity or process; a physical or mathematical representation of a process that can be used to predict some aspect of the process

Speculation: a hypothesis that has been formed by speculating or conjecturing (usually with little hard evidence)

Observation: any information collected with the senses

Data: factual information, especially information organized for analysis or used to reason or make decisions

Fact: when an observation is confirmed repeatedly and by many independent and competent observers, it can become a fact

Belief: any cognitive content (perception) held as true; religious faith

Religion: (theistic): "1 the belief in a superhuman controlling power, esp. in a personal God or gods entitled to obedience and worship. 2 the expression of this in worship. 3 a particular system of faith and worship." Non-Theistic: "The word religion has many definitions, all of which can embrace sacred lore and wisdom and knowledge of God or gods, souls and spirits. Religion deals with the spirit in relation to itself, the universe and other life. Essentially, religion is belief in spiritual beings. As it relates to the world, religion is a system of beliefs and practices by means of which a group of people struggles with the ultimate problems of human life."

Faith: the belief in something for which there is no evidence or logical proof

Dogma: a religious doctrine that is proclaimed as true without proof

Impression: a vague idea in which some confidence is placed; "his impression of her was favorable"; "what are your feelings about the crisis?"; "it strengthened my belief in his sincerity"; "I had a feeling that she was lying"

Opinion: a personal belief or judgment that is not founded on proof or certainty.

Based on these, evolution is a theory. CS and ID are beliefs.

107 posted on 01/03/2006 2:53:10 PM PST by Coyoteman (I love the sound of beta decay in the morning!)
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To: Coyoteman
Your regular posting of definitions is handy and appreciated, but it does not support the assertion there is a substantial difference between the theory of evolution and the scientific model of intelligent design. Both entail legitimate science. As for the definition of "faith" with which you tend to operate, it is not the primary meaning of faith. I'd be hard pressed to find people who believe things entirely without evidence.

Faith is in general the persuasion of the mind that a certain statement is true. Its primary idea is trust. A thing is true, and therefore worthy of trust. Certainly the word can be used in a sense that entails "something for which there is no evidence or logical proof." In the case of intelligent design, however, there is an ample supply of organized matter to serve as evidence. In the case of evolution there is no "logical proof," but a fair amount of reasonable inference.

But who believes in something with absolutely no evidence? Even those who truly believe in the Tooth Fairy do not believe in something for which there is absolutely no evidence. For them the evidence rests first of all in the statement - from a trustworthy source - that there is a Tooth Fairy. Add the experience of mysteriously receiving some coin in exchange for a loose tooth, and the "evidence" becomes more compelling. What is more, it cannot be scientifically proven there is no such thing as a Tooth Fairy. It can only be reasonably inferred from lack of evidence, either direct or indirect.

In the case of organized matter the evidence is not fake, nor is it meager. In the case of various species that have morphological similarities yet undergo change from generation to generation the evidence is not fake, but it is more limited. These are both scientifically accessible phenomena from which reasonable inferences can be drawn.

154 posted on 01/03/2006 3:34:27 PM PST by Fester Chugabrew
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