Scientists create theories so that they can be tested and disproved. Until then, they are generally accepted as a set of facts that explain a phenomena. That's what great about science. It says, "Please, I beg you, disprove me." And that has happened many times. Here are some that haven't been disproved yet:

Modern Atomic Theory
Kinetic Molecular Theory
Germ Theory of Disease
Big Bang Theory
Theory of Gravity
Cell Theory
Theories of Relativity
Plate Tectonic Theory
Quantum Mechanical Theory
String Theory
Unified Field Theory
Darwin's Theory

People not understanding what a theory is really annoys me. Darwin's Theory is an example of a theory that has held up to 150 years of scrutiny. Dawkin...

Scientists create theories so that they can be tested and disproved. Until then, they are generally accepted as a set of facts that explain a phenomena. That's what great about science. It says, "Please, I beg you, disprove me." And that has happened many times. Here are some that haven't been disproved yet:

Modern Atomic Theory
Kinetic Molecular Theory
Germ Theory of Disease
Big Bang Theory
Theory of Gravity
Cell Theory
Theories of Relativity
Plate Tectonic Theory
Quantum Mechanical Theory
String Theory
Unified Field Theory
Darwin's Theory

People not understanding what a theory is really annoys me. Darwin's Theory is an example of a theory that has held up to 150 years of scrutiny. Dawkins said he would be the first one to acknowledge he was wrong the moment someone showed him irrefutable, testable evidence on the contrary.

People not understanding what a theory is really annoys me.

And having to explain it over and over and over is so tiresome. I find it difficult to not come to the conclusion that these people willfully disregard what is shown to them because it deeply threatens their world view. So they're put into the position that they must lie to themselves to justify their unjustifiable beliefs. I'd have more respect if they just came right out and said, "look, I know the beliefs I have are wacky but I have to just accept them on faith because this is the only way I know how to get by. I'll try my best to keep them to myself". I think most reasonable people can live with that. It's the o...

People not understanding what a theory is really annoys me.

And having to explain it over and over and over is so tiresome. I find it difficult to not come to the conclusion that these people willfully disregard what is shown to them because it deeply threatens their world view. So they're put into the position that they must lie to themselves to justify their unjustifiable beliefs. I'd have more respect if they just came right out and said, "look, I know the beliefs I have are wacky but I have to just accept them on faith because this is the only way I know how to get by. I'll try my best to keep them to myself". I think most reasonable people can live with that. It's the one's that try to pass theocratic legislation, who believe that people who don't share their worldview are somehow inferior or lacking in morals or ethics and deserve to be punished forever that I have a problem with.

Good comment BTW. Of course most of the theories you mentioned don't pose a problem or eat away at the God of the Gaps. Except for that pesky evolution. And I'm not too sure about the new fangled Gravity theory. Teach the "alternative" that the earth sucks! And now that I think about it, that flaky Germ theory is as we all know an attempt to cover up bad humours and demon possession.