Why do you believe in gravity? It's just a theory.?

Question

If a creationist can tell us all that evolution is a lie because it's just a theory I figure that thinking must apply to other theories as well. Right?
Over the years different theories have been given for gravity. First it was Aristotle, then Galileo, after that Newton gave us the best explanation for gravity, but these days we like Einstein’s theory the best.
The theory is why gravity happens just like it is why evolution happens. Gravity itself is a fact just like evolution is a fact. Both can be scientifically proven. The apple does fall, living organisms do change from generation to generation.

Answer 1

Evolution is defined as a change in allele frequencies in a population over time. This is a fact. It has been observed in many thousands of examples.

Evolution is also defined as the theory which explains this fact.

A fact is defined as a statement about reality for which the evidence is so strong that to disbelieve it would be simply foolish.

A theory (as used in science ) is defined as "a coherent group of general propositions used as principles of explanation for a class of phenomena" .The term does not imply tentativeness or lack of certainty. For instance Human Sexual Reproduction is the theory that explains where babies come from.

The Theory of Evolution uses propositions such as Mutations and Natural Selection to explain the fact that Evolution occurs.

A law is a statement describing a relationship observed to be invariable between or among phenomena for all cases in which the specified conditions are met.

In science laws and theories are two entirely different types of things one does not become the other. Laws are not facts either. Laws are statements describing relationships, most often in the forms of equations.

As you can see from some of your other answers ( "papa G" for example ), extreme ignorance of basic scientific terms is rampant in the United States. Unfortunately creationists seek to increase that ignorance and take advantage of it.

Answer 2

gravity is only a theory because we have not discovered the mechanism through which it works - the effect is still very much there however. Evolution (as a process which living organisms and populations go through) is fact because we have observed the effects and discovered the mechanism through which it works. The Theory of Evolutionary Origin is what youre referring to. VERY different ideas. related, but different. Evolution as a process is a fact, but the idea that we evolved from certain creatures which existed in the past is a theory because we have a mechanism but no direct evidence of it. for a theory to become accepted fact it needs two things: Direct evidence of the thing being alleged, and a mechanism through which it happens which agrees completely with the observations.

people, open a text book..... PLEASE!! its all right there in front of you, and it all makes sense. if it isnt proved, you dont have to agree with it. if you think something has been unrightfully proved, then find some evidece against it. thats how the scientific process works. its not smoke and mirrors

Answer 3

of course Newton gave the law of gravity which is true.well tested and proved. that the mass of the earth produces gravitational forces. ( which happens to be perfect to maintain life , if stronger: planet's atmosphere would retain huge amounts of ammonia and methane if weaker: planet's atmosphere would lose too much water ) so because of the perfect mass of the Earth produces enough gravitational force to keep life going. if you would like to test the law take a item put in your hand with palm facing ground. then open hand every time the mass of the earth will pull the item to the ground.

http://csep10.phys.utk.edu/astr161/lect/history/newtongrav.html

here is a website that discuss the different parameters that must be meet to have life and how they work together.

http://www.reasons.org/resources/apologetics/design.shtml

Answer 4

Unfortunately, that's going to keep happening until they learn that scientific theory is completely different that the lay person's definition of "theory".
Scientific theory comes from analyzing a set of facts and evidence and making a deduction.
they still think the word theory just means "somebody's guess".
Ignorance is so sad.

Answer 5

Creationists define words to suit their nefarious purposes, e.g. saying atheism and evolution are religions and Genesis' two creation myths are science. They also say theories are unproven hypotheses. This is lying to be frank. There is much proof to support evolution, gravity, relativity and other scientific theories, but there is none at all to support Genesis. Quite the contrary!

Answer 6

Extrapolating the evidence, both to fill in the gaps in the evidence and more especially to extend the evidence to claim that one species becomes another is an act of faith. The evidence might mean that or something else. As the experiment is not repeatable "proof" one way or the other is not available.

Answer 7

Besides the irreducible complexity of the universe, that testifies of a Designer, like gravity, the reality of Christ and His resurrection is manifest (among other ways) empirically by the scientific method of cause and effect. In this case all who come to Christ with a broken heart and contrite spirit (Ps. 34:18), and genuinely turn in their hearts to Him from sin, and cast all their faith in Him who died for their sins and rose again (and not in any way in their merit or church as Catholic's do), immediately realize promised effects that correspond to the claims of Object of their faith, and are contingent upon them (Acts 2, 8, 10). And which are unique as regards manner and scope, and overall defy naturalistic explanations. The opposite reality, from disobedience, can also be demonstrated. Go do your own study, of solid believers lives, the day and years before their day of salvation and afterwards. Below are a few testimonies relative to this.

http://www.cbn.com/700club/features/amazing /
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=4136610474021109864
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=3682855866783766146
http://www.truthsaves.org/testimony/
http://www.crosssearch.com/People/Personal_Christian_Homepages/Topical/Testimonies/
http://www.christian-faith.com/truestories.html
http://www.truthsaves.org/testimony/
http://www.shelovesgod.com/library/testimonies.cfm
http://breadsite.org/topics.htm

Answer 8

What goes up must come down. That's no theory.

Answer 9

Gravity is a "law".
Evolution is debatable even as a theory.

Answer 10

So, if I jump out the window, is it just a theory that I'm going to get hurt?