if a renowned scientist like Paul Steinhardt comes up with a theory about inflation in 1982 and then disowns it in 2014,
there has to be a reason for it,
Paul Steinhardt would have attempted to prove to the world that his inflation theory was correct, and in doing so, he managed to prove to himself that it is simply not true.
If Paul Steinhardt can prove it to himself, that's all the proof i need. is that not proof enough for you? or what do you know about inflation theory that Paul Steinhardt doesn't?
p.s. there is obviously no clear proof that inflation theory is true,
so that in itself is proof that science is a faith based religion,