Monday, April 21, 2008

Gravity is also a "Theory"

Many times I have argued with people over the Theory of Evolution. Sometimes they make an intelligent point or two. For the most part, however, people are simply confused by their own lack of understanding. For example they equate the scientific use of the word "theory" to something that is just an unproven, unsupported idea that is not based on a group of laws and principals and other things called "facts."

It is a very simply confusion... but it is a confusion surrounding their understanding of the English language and its many diverse meanings and uses. When this occurs I like to refute them with an equally simple point: Gravity, otherwise known as "The Theory of Gravitation," would also stand to be refuted. Example: "Evolution is just a theory, it isn't fact." "Wow really? Gravity is also a Theory and if not a fact... I can fly!" At this point we would all begin to float away and I would rightfully admit my mistake and see the heavenly light.

Thanks to The Onion these thoughts have been put together as a hilarious article:
http://www.theonion.com/content/node/39512

My personal favorite aspect of the article is how the "Intelligent Falling" proponents main argument is that science still cannot explain how gravity works. This is true and it parallels identical arguments about evolution. You can know absolutely every aspect about something in nature, but if you can't answer the "how/why" question God proponents are so quickly to press, then everything else is for naught. Obviously they have the answer though, their "how/why" explanation is always "God did it," "God willed it," or "Jesus made it." Oh okay, I'm sorry, your right. Those Bibles are just chock full 'O facts, eh?

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