There is a very simple test to determine if a person is proselytizing to you or attempting to teach you about objective scientific truth: statements made by proselytizers cannot be verified by empirical observation. Scientists sometimes disagree about which theory best explains the empirical evidence, but no scientist denies that true statements about reality are evidence-based. The statement "Paleolithic people did not use electricity" is a factual statement of science. The truth of the statement can be verified by examining the overwhelming physical evidence of its truth left behind by primitive peoples. The statement "Those who live without electricity live closer to God" is a statement of religion. It is a value statement rather than a factual statement. It cannot be verified empirically. The person who makes such statements in hopes of convincing others of its truth is proselytizing rather than teaching scientific truth. -gts