Until the 17th century many people believed living things came from nonliving matter and they were proven wrong. But how does the big bang theory differs from this earlier belief?

"Until the 17th century many people believed living things came from nonliving matter and they were proven wrong" Ahhh...what? When has this ever been proven wrong? If anything we have evidence now that supports this theory. Organic compounds HAVE been produced from inorganic compounds in the lab. Also...the BBT doesn't say that everything came from nothing. The BBT says that all energy was at one point concentrated in one very dense quantity and expanded (is still expanding) into what we call the universe. It doesn't say that everything came from nothing.   By the way, your link only leads to a page where I can ask the same question.

No, I think you've got a point. All beliefs that can even potentially be proven false or at least correctable should be abandoned as false. From now on, I'm just going to believe in whatever I feel like. OOOH... I take that back, I'm gonna be a nihilist. Gotta run. Need some really tight, black clothing.