Did I ever said the RCS of an F-35 with external loadout is lower than most of the 4.5 gen fighters? No, I said it is stealthier.
Just as an example, if I said that the F-22's RCS is lower than the F-35 RCS, doesn't mean it is stealthier, because stealth isn't just RCS, it's a whole and complex set of low radar signature, low infrared signature, low radiation signature and eletronics package.
The reason why I said an F-35 with external payload is stealthier than most of the 4.5 gen fighters was actually because of its ECM. The F-35's ECM isn't just for self-defense as most of the ECMs, it is also mean to attack and that is a very powerful advantage.
Stealth IMO exist since the WWII when the night fighters in the pacific, using their radar, could see the enemy while the enemy wasn't seeing them.
I completely agree with you about people saying stuff based on speculation, I hope I clarified what I said.