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Explain that, to a scientist, the word "theory" does NOT mean "hunch" or "unsupported idea" -- the scientific word for that is "hypothesis." A "theory" is an over-arching idea that has passed rigorous, experimental tests. In scientific parlance, calling "the Big Bang" a "theory" is akin to calling a heliocentic solar system a "theory."

For many years, the ideas first proposed by Jesuit priest George LeMaitre -- now known as "the Big Bang" -- were simply hypotheses. His ideas, however, did make specific predictions about what results we would get if we did certain experiments. These experiments were first done fifty years ago, and the results were EXACTLY as predicted by Big Bang Cosmology. Since then, Big Bang Cosmology has continued to pass one scientific test after another, just like Copernicus' heliocentric model. That is why it has now been elevated to a "theory."

Note, of course, that there are people who despise science, and will not only misuse the word "theory," but make a concerted effort to spread this confusion to other people.

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