Be respectful of others’ opinions

To the editor:

I would like to clear up a term used by Floyd Sandford in his April 28 letter 'Do not be threatened by scientific facts.”

A scientific fact is an observation that has been confirmed repeatedly. Sandford stated that it is a scientific fact that the planet is 3.5 billion years old and that evolution is a fact. Since no one observed the formation of our planet and it has not been repeated it cannot be a scientific fact. Evolution which results in changes in living organisms is a fact and has been observed (observational science). Molecules-to-man evolution is not a scientific fact and has not been observed (historical science).

Everyone has a bias or worldview. Whether a historical science book (evolutionary biology book or creationism book) is legitimate or not, would depend upon your worldview. Although facts are included in historical science books, the underlying premise is not a scientific fact but a belief system which has not been proven scientifically. Since molecules-to-man evolution and creationism are beliefs, we should be respectful of each person's right to their opinion.

Colleen Gardner

Central City