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Evolution is an unproved theory. The supposition that each species of life in existence now evolved naturally from another species has no proof. It is merely assumed to be true.  

Opponents of evolutionary biology sometimes claim that evolution is an 'unproved theory'. It is true that the [[hypothesis]] that each species of life in existence now evolved naturally from another species, like any other scientific hypothesis, cannot be definitively proved. However, that hypothesis and the hypothesis that all life on earth descends from one common ancestor is supported by molecular <ref>Brown, J. R. and W. F. Doolittle. 1995. Root of the universal tree of life based on ancient aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase gene duplications. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America 92:2441-2445.</ref><ref>Caetano-Anolles, G. 2002. Evolved RNA secondary structure and the rooting of the universal tree of life. Journal of Molecular Evolution 54: 333-345.</ref><ref>Gribaldo, S. and P. Cammarano. 1998. The root of the universal tree of life inferred from anciently duplicated genes encoding components of the protein-targeting machinery. Journal of Molecular Evolution 47:508-516.</ref> fossil <ref>Carroll, R. L. (1997) Patterns and Processes of Vertebrate Evolution. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.</ref><ref>Sereno, P. C. (1999) "The Evolution of Dinosaurs." Science 284: 2137-2147</ref> geographical <ref>MacFadden, B. J. (1992) Fossil Horses: Systematics, Paleobiology, and Evolution of the Family Equidae. New York, Cambridge University Press.</ref> and morphological <ref>Darwin, Charles (1859), On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection, or the Preservation of Favoured Races in the Struggle for Life, London: John Murray 1st edition.</ref> evidence.  

Most variations of this unproved theory assert that all species evolved through a chain of intermediate forms from a common ancestor (see also theory of [[common descent]]). Since there is no proof of this, and no way to disprove it (see [[falsification]]), scientists must classify this theory as [[pseudoscience]].  

Some creationists also argue that the evolution of all life on earth is not a [[falsification|falsifiable]] hypothesis and as such should be considered a [[pseudoscience]] if the philosophy of science built by [[Karl Popper]] is to be followed. There are however very many facts that have not been observed that would falsify the evolutionary hypothesis. Most famously the English biologist [[JBS Haldane]] said "fossil rabbits in the precambrian" <ref>Ridley, M (2003). Evolution, Third Edition. Blackwell Publishing Limited.</ref> would be enough. Many other possible methods of falsification have been proposed<ref> Theobald, Douglas (2004) [http://www.talkorigins.org/faqs/comdesc/default.html| 29+ Evidences for Macroevolution: Scientific "Proof", scientific evidence, and the scientific method.] The TalkOrigins Archive. Retrieved on 2007-05-12.</ref> and in fact Popper himself asserted that evolution was a falsifiable hypothesis. <ref>Popper, K (1978). "Natural selection and the emergence of mind". Dialectica (32).</ref>

Some proponents of evolution make tricky statements like, "Evolution is a fact." This statement is deceptive, because it uses ''evolution'' to mean "any change", such as a minor change in coloration. The process of [[breeding]], known since Biblical times, allows us to select characteristics we wish by mating animals with these characteristics (see [[inheritance]]). These minor changes are not evolution.

Creationists also sometimes attack evolutionary biology with the argument that evolution is 'just a theory' or an 'unproved theory', a tactic that even creationist group Answers in Genesis suggests not be used as it displays a lack of understanding of what the word theory means in scientific discourse.<ref> Answers in Genesis website [http://www.answersingenesis.org/home/area/faq/dont_use.asp| Arguments we think creationists should NOT use] Retrieved on 2007-05-12</ref><ref>Stephen Jay Gould, "Evolution as Fact and Theory," May 1981; from Hen's Teeth and Horse's Toes: Further Reflections in Natural History, New York: W. W. Norton & Company, 1994, pp. 253-262</ref>. In fact, well over 99% of trained biologists accept the evolution of life on earth as a fact and neo-darwinian evolutionary theory as the theory best able to exaplain that fact <ref>Martz, Larry & Ann McDaniel (1987), "Keeping God out of the Classroom (Washington and bureau reports)", Newsweek(26): 23-24</ref>

 

Proponents of evolution also sometimes say that God might have used "evolution" to create the various species of life. However, this is another trick of words. The [[theory of evolution]] refers only to [[unguided evolution]], with no supernatural forces or miracles. Scientists, adhering to a strict methodological naturalism, agree with theologians that anything God does is by definition supernatural or miraculous. If God were to guide evolution, then it would not be an entirely natural process.

 

There is no way that God could intervene with His supernatural power without guiding the process. If God used intermediate forms of life in His process of creation, then this is not evolution but a creative act (see [[Creationism]]).