To play a devil's advicate, there is a big difference between these theories and the theory of the big bang.
These theories (Electromagnetism & General Relativity) have results that are observable, repeatable, and (as best as we can guesstimate) direct results caused by what we are theorizing exists.
The results of the theory of the big bang are observable (we've seen that galaxies are spreading apart) and we can guess that these observations are the result of the big bang (or at least that's what Georges Lemaître proposed). The problem that hangs everyone up on this is that it can't be repeated; at least not while humans are still alive. This means it can never be proved.
I know everyone wants to let "science [be] science and religion [be] religion and there is no problem with the two co-existing so long as neither tries to intrude onto the others territory." The problem is that occasionally the two do collide, especially when it comes to origins (and the poor scientists of old were the ones that started that fight, as religions had their ideas written down long before science started theorizing).
And just for the record (before anyone starts namecalling), I have no problem with anyone believing anything they want to, even if it is contrary to popular opinion (99% of the world believed that the world was flat, even though it was written in the Bible that it was round). We all get crazy ideas in our heads, brainwashed into us by culture, and then call people crazy who don't believe them (walked under any ladders lately?). That's part of what makes us who we are. And now I'm rambling, so I'll shut up.
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These theories (Electromagnetism & General Relativity) have results that are observable, repeatable, and (as best as we can guesstimate) direct results caused by what we are theorizing exists.
The results of the theory of the big bang are observable (we've seen that galaxies are spreading apart) and we can guess that these observations are the result of the big bang (or at least that's what Georges Lemaître proposed). The problem that hangs everyone up on this is that it can't be repeated; at least not while humans are still alive. This means it can never be proved.
The other hangup for the big bang theory is that it goes against what 55-61% of Americans (http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2004/11/22/opinion /polls/main657083.shtml, http://www.washtimes.com/national/20040216-113955- 2061r.htm) believe. Electromagnetism & General Relativity (as well as most other scientific theories, apart from evolution) don't go against what's in the Bible (I bet you could find some extremest somewhere to disagree with me on that, though).
I know everyone wants to let "science [be] science and religion [be] religion and there is no problem with the two co-existing so long as neither tries to intrude onto the others territory." The problem is that occasionally the two do collide, especially when it comes to origins (and the poor scientists of old were the ones that started that fight, as religions had their ideas written down long before science started theorizing).
And just for the record (before anyone starts namecalling), I have no problem with anyone believing anything they want to, even if it is contrary to popular opinion (99% of the world believed that the world was flat, even though it was written in the Bible that it was round). We all get crazy ideas in our heads, brainwashed into us by culture, and then call people crazy who don't believe them (walked under any ladders lately?). That's part of what makes us who we are. And now I'm rambling, so I'll shut up.