Scientific Terminology

[undone]

I think many of us here can tend to misuse and/or loosley use some common scientific terminology.

For example:

When we say we don't believe/believe in evolution, we are saying that we don't think one species evolves into another or what we loosley term as "Macro-evolution".

I've heard it said that this is actually misusing this term.

Then you have micro-evolution, which some refer to as "adaptation".

I think it's important to clarify because too often, people will say they don't believe in "evolution", yet they do believe in "adaptation".

Also, many people attack the idea of evolution because they fear it is intended to replace creation. While I understand the idea that if you follow evolution to it's conclusion about lifes beginning, evolution currently does not speak about the beginning of life.

Edit: Corrected typos; I'm a little loopy as I am on muscle relaxers and pain meds due to hurting my back a few days ago. I hope I'm making sense..

I started this thread not to debate but to inform. I know there are participants out there who are far more knowledgeable about these terms than I am. I think too often, disagreements are needlessly exacerbated due to some of these misuses of terms and ideas. I am hoping we can settle on an accurate and agreed upon set of terms and ideas.

Are there any others you can add?

[ted]

Truth.

t.

[Guest]

Truth.

t.

Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

John 14:6

[ted]

[Guest]

To Call It Scientific

The scientific method involves the following basic facets:

Observation. A constant feature of scientific inquiry.

Description. Information must be reliable, i.e., replicable (repeatable) as well as valid (relevant to the inquiry).

Prediction. Information must be valid for observations past, present, and future of given phenomena, i.e., purported "one shot" phenomena do not give rise to the capability to predict, nor to the ability to repeat an experiment.

Control. Actively and fairly sampling the range of possible occurrences, whenever possible and proper, as opposed to the passive acceptance of opportunistic data, is the best way to control or counterbalance the risk of empirical bias.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scientific_me...sic_description

Faith

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

Hebrews 11:1

From God

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Ephesians 2:8-9

[The Lorax]

Great idea for a thread. It will be useful thing to link to in future discussions. Here's something I'd like to add:

Scientific theory

A scientific theory is very different from the colloquial term. It is not a guess. A scientific theory is a testable explanation that is supported by large amounts of evidence. Theories can be absolutely disproved if evidence contradicts them, but theories can't, by definition, be absolutely proved. This little-known fact has been exploited by persons like Kent Hovind, who offered a $250,000 reward for anyone who could prove evolution--a challenge he knew was impossible.

While theories can't be proved, they can be confirmed beyond a reasonable doubt. This is only technically different than proof; we laypeople can treat it as the same thing.

[undone]

Horizon, how dare you use a thread designed for clarification to advance your misleading arguments? Biogenesis isn't a law. But prove it if you can (or, in light of Lorax's post, confirm it beyond reasonable doubt).

Do I detect a threatening tone to your post? I don

[ted]

Horizon, how dare you use a thread designed for clarification to advance your misleading arguments? Biogenesis isn't a law. But prove it if you can (or, in light of Lorax's post, confirm it beyond reasonable doubt).

Do I detect a threatening tone to your post? I don

[Guest]

Guys,

I think for the sake of this thread, there's nothing wrong with Horizoneast posting a definition of what he means by this term. Whether you agree with it or not is not as important to the threads purpose. You may want to start another thread to debate it's validity.

t.

Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.

Philippians 2:3

And to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. And be at peace among yourselves.

1 Thessalonians 5:13

Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward.

Hebrews 11:26

[ted]

AKA Lies!

t.