Evenstar
A fact and an opinion are two different things.
A fact can be independently verified by objective evidence or authoritative sources.
An opinion, is a statement of ones own viewpoint that cannot be verified by objective evidence or authoritative sources but is solely within the province and judgement of the person expressing the opinion.
For example, let us say that you allege that Abraham Lincoln was the 16th President of the USA.
I say he was not.
You keep insisting that he was.
I now ask you to "prove it".
You quote the Encylclopedia, volume and page number which says "Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President of the USA......"
You allege a fact, I ask you to prove it, you do using authoritative sources... case closed.
If you claim that Abraham Lincoln sucked as a President, that is an opinion. It cannot be verified by and authoritative or objective sources and is solely within the province and judgement of yourself based on your own feelings.
One cannot disguise opinion as fact by simply putting the words
I believe
I think
It is my opinion
or any variation of these on allegations of fact just to slip by the rules and demands of verifying ones supporting evidence or assertions.
For example: I think Abraham Lincoln was the 15th President of the USA. Just because I put the words "I Think" of front of a falsehood does not elevate my falsehood to the protected level of personal opinion and remove from it the obligation of myself to support it with evidence.
I hope that helps.