Why is it that Atheists get all defensive whenever someone says that evolution is only a theory?

Question

Is it that they cannot back it up or something? And yes, I have studied science, am planning to major in biochemistry. Yes, I know there is proof, but whenever someone simply states that it hasn't yet been completely proven they act as if we burned Darwin at the stake or something.

Answer 1

It's the context in which the word "theory" is used. Most don't understand the definition of a scientific theory.

Answer 2

I don't know. Evolution is a theory. A theory is a mathematical description, a logical explanation, a verified hypothesis, or a proven model of the manner of interaction of a set of natural phenomena, capable of predicting future occurrences or observations of the same kind, and capable of being tested through experiment or otherwise falsified through empirical observation.
A Religion is a set of beliefs and practices generally held by a number of persons.
A theory may or may not be fact but it is the most logical explaination based upon known facts so a theory has at least a close linkage with a fact base.
Religions require no such linkage and are therefore much more open to challenge.
I have yet to see a fact which challenges the validity of the theory of evolution but would be pleased to see any because it would open up whole new areas of knowledge. Challenging religious beliefs really serves no purpose.

Answer 3

We get mad because the people who say it is just a theory have no idea what that means in applied science. That is the scientific word for fact, basically. There is proof of evolution, but not what you might think, like a filmstrip filmed in the grasslands of Africa showing a big, hairy ape giving birth to a beautiful, blue eyed baby girl named Madison. It's frustrating when people attempt to argue something when they don't even know what the language of the idea they are fighting against.

Answer 4

only atheist believes in evolution..there are too much proof outside there but not everything can be proved by science..yes they cannot back it up..if they can,they had done it..making and proving a theory are two different aspect with two different view..Lenin was crying "oh,my god!" when he was in unbearable pain meeting his "death"..so,compare it..an atheist was calling the god as he was in pain...everything that happened must be a reason and must have a creator..they cant prove the theory that been made by themselves so no wonder they get all defensive..nowadays,if u believe in something,u have to prove it..but, if it comes to things that cant be proved,there will be two reasons..one,it was a fake and two,our logic cannot figure it out as it cannot figure everything..and that is why spirituality and religion is important..

Answer 5

I don't know of the atheists you speak about being all defensive. I think it would be useful to distinguish between speculation and theory. Speculation (or hypothesis) is an idea that needs to be tested to see if it holds water. Theory already has been tested, and the evidence (in the case of evolution) is there and explained.

The "theory" of evolution has been tested repeatedly with every artifact found in the fossil record, and it has withstood that testing. It is still called a theory, because it continues to be tested. However, it is accepted as a well-tested theory, similar to the theory of gravity.

Answer 6

Because most people don't really understand what they are talking about. They say "evolution is just a theory, if there was evidence for it, it would be a law." This is of course not true. there is evidence for it, and evidence doesn't make a theory into a law. And dismissing a part of science because of lack of understanding is a little frustrating.

Answer 7

Its because if they knew anything about science, they would know that a theory is a grouping of facts into higher ideas. Theories are models that describe facts; the two are not different shades on some truth spectrum.

Theories can be used to predict future events, and are falsifiable.

I would like to point out that the computer you are using, the software it is running, and the network it is communicating with are all built from the THEORY of computation ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computation ).

Answer 8

Because you somehow didn't learn that nothing is ONLY a theory. Theory is the BEST something can be. Theories are NEVER changed to facts, no matter how many times they are proven to be good explanations for nature. Please, don't keep talking about science until you've actually studied it some more - you missed a lot somewhere.

Answer 9

"Just" or "only" a theory is meant to imply that it's an inferior thing. The words "just" and "only" carry those connotations.

"It's just a million dollars" sounds different than "It's a million dollars". The former, because it includes the word "just", is meant to diminish the significance of the subject while the latter can either imply that it's simply what it is or that it's something significant, depending on whether or not the words "million dollars" are emphasized.

Oh, and it's been my experience that, generally, it's worded with "just" or "only" when people want to deceptively suggest that evolution is a theory in laymens terms, i.e. "a speculation; a conjecture".

Answer 10

Theories are backed by evidence, beliefs are based on faith. Those of faith that try to diminish scientific theory have no understanding of how a theory is developed. There is no reason why evolution and creation should be mutually exclusive of the other.

Answer 11

I don't really know I don't think of evolution that much. I don't really care about Darwin. The entire thing is kind of boring to me. I'm more interested in pink unicorns myself. I have a herd out back I'm thinking of putting on e-Bay for All my Christian friends to bid on.