Reply #17: comparing theory and law is comparing apples and oranges [View All]

[northernlights]

a law is simply a phenomena that always happens.

a hypothesis is a tentative explanation for an observed phenomena, with limited supporting evidence.

a theory is a broad explanation of a range of observed phenomena, that is supported by a large body of evidence, and that enables predictions that can be tested. The fewer exceptions there are to the theory, the more completely it is worked out. The more exceptions there are, the more work there is to be done.

If you jump off a building, you'll fall -- that's a law. Gravity is the well-tested theory that explains the law.

Evolution is the well-tested theory. Bacteria, due to their very short doubling time, enable us to see evolution in realtime. Everything we've learned about DNA supports evolution.

On the other hand, so-called "creation science" is not supported by any evidence, is not testable, doesn't explain any phenomena and therefore by definition is not science.