Scientific literacy

Scientific literacy is variously described as being up to date on what scientists say on important topics as well as accepting those views. Thus there is a controversy, where the word "literacy" is stretched to include both having knowledge of a theory and making the decision to agree with it.

For some people, it's perfectly acceptable to be fully conversant with a scientific theory and yet reject it, either on scientific grounds alone or because of religious reasons. However, for some other people, rejection of a scientific theory is tantamount to ignorance; these people imply that only someone who is unaware of the facts or fails to understand them could possibly draw different conclusions.