[jcb8199]

Theory

NOUN: pl. the·o·ries

• 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 branch of a science or art consisting of its explanatory statements, accepted principles, and methods of analysis, as opposed to practice: a fine musician who had never studied theory.
• A set of theorems that constitute a systematic view of a branch of mathematics. Abstract reasoning; speculation: a decision based on experience rather than theory.
• A belief or principle that guides action or assists comprehension or judgment: staked out the house on the theory that criminals usually return to the scene of the crime.
• An assumption based on limited information or knowledge; a conjecture.
  
  I don't see anything in there about it being "as close to true" as it can be. Maybe they were talking in the relativistic sense...

[js1138]

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.

First definition of "theory". From your post. This is as close as science ever gets to a statement that something is true. There is no higher category, even in physics and chemistry.

Scientific "laws" are not statements of principles.

[Junior]

The first one listed:

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.

[Ichneumon]

I don't see anything in there about it being "as close to true" as it can be.

Read your OWN FIRST DEFINITION, you nut.

...you can lead a creationist to knowledge, but you can't make him think....