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And conversely....saying something in science is a fact when it's only a theory, and has not been proven as fact, is giving credibility to something where credibility is not due. It's true I'm no expert on global warming, for instance. But I do know that it has yet to be proven as a scientific fact. And yet, it is claimed to be a fact by some scientists. If my attitude comes off as derogatory to you, I'll take that hit. I have a very low opinion of those scientists that claim to know what they can only theorize about, and unless something has changed, I am still allowed to have and voice my opinion.

"Theory is the highest level that science attains. Facts are data points that support of go against theories. Saying something in science is "only a theory" is only derogatory if you don't know what you're talking about."

It's true I'm no expert on global warming, for instance. But I do know that it has yet to be proven as a scientific fact.

Global warming is a fact. It has been going on, in fits and starts, for some 12,000 years. That is when the last of the ice ages began to wane.

The theory part would be what is the cause of global warming.

Some has to be natural, and part of the normal cycles. There was not enough human influence 12,000 years ago to cause any climate change, but we have had a sea level rise of some 325 feet since then, most of which happened before about 5,000 years ago as glaciers melted.

So the theory part comes in to explain the increase in warming since the Little Ice Age. The increase can be measured, and is a fact, but the cause is still subject to multiple interpretations.

"And conversely....saying something in science is a fact when it's only a theory, and has not been proven as fact, is giving credibility to something where credibility is not due."

Theories and facts are two different things. Facts are data points, theories are explanations for a number of facts. No theories are ever proven, they are only supported by evidence (or not supported). Saying evolution is *only a theory* is saying it is like every other area of science. The current theory of gravity is as unproven and unprovable as evolution is, yet both are well supported by the evidence.

" It's true I'm no expert on global warming, for instance. But I do know that it has yet to be proven as a scientific fact"

Facts are also not proven. That the earth has increased in temperature by a small amount is not really under much debate. It's the causes of that change that is; I personally favor it being a natural fluctuation. That's the theory part.

" I have a very low opinion of those scientists that claim to know what they can only theorize about..."

Again, there is no higher state for a theory to become. Theory is the end of scientific hierarchy.