Evolution Korea
For a long time the scientific community in Korea has avoided engaging with the creationists, fearing that it could increase the credibility of the movement. But silence is no any longer an option.
The STR has been campaigning to get rid of textbooks that describe evolution, including the discovery of the feathered dinosaur Archaeopteryx as an early bird's ancestor. But this is merely one aspect of the evolution of the development paradigm.
What is Evolution?
The theory of evolution is a branch of science that explains changes in genetic traits over time. The theory is based upon the fact that living creatures adapt to their environment, which could result in variations in genes or even whole genomes. These changes can over many generations result in the development of new species. Natural selection is the dominant theory of evolution. It describes how individuals with advantageous traits are more likely to reproduce and survive than those with less advantageous traits. This variation in reproduction could be a catalyst to the development and emergence of new species.
The term "evolution" originates from Latin for revealing or unrolling, has been used in a variety of different ways as the concept has evolved in both science and in other fields. Early evolutionists like Erasmus Darwin (Charles’s grandfather) and Jean Baptiste de Lamarck believed that species were predetermined to evolve into a different species. The term transmutation was coined by Lamarck's disciple, embryologist Etienne Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire to describe this view. Charles Lyell, in his Principles of Geology, published in 1833, challenged the idea of evolution, and borrowed the term from Geoffroy’s student.
More recently, evolutionary biologists have defined evolution as a process when living things develop characteristics that improve their chances of survival or ability to produce offspring. Over time, this genetic variability can result in the development of completely new biological functions or physical traits in a population. Such a variation in gene frequencies is called natural selection, and it is the main driver of evolutionary changes. However, non-genetic changes such as increases in muscle mass from diet or exercise can't be considered to be examples of evolution since they're not passed on to future generations.
Creationists make the argument that evolution is controversial despite the fact that it has been proven true by thousands of scientific tests and it has been tested over time. They argue that the concept should not be taught in schools. In South Korea, creationists have won a few victories in their fight to remove evolution from high school textbooks and have also gotten rid of references to the evolutionary roots of humans and the Archaeopteryx, a feathered dinosaur thought to be the ancestor of birds.
Why is Evolution Important to Humanity?
Evolution is the explanation for the origins of Earth and all living species. It is also one of the foundations of biology, and aids scientists understand how living things work and grow. Evolution also reveals the relationships between species. Scientists study evolution in order to better comprehend nature and make important discoveries such as new treatments.
The evidence for biological evolution is overwhelming. There is no other scientific theory that explains more about the universe and life on this planet. It has been thoroughly scrutinized and confirmed for a number of years. Many people, even some religious leaders, are in support of the scientific theory. Recommended Website is important to remember that evolutionary biology doesn't contradict religious beliefs, since the theory deals only with objects, events and processes in the physical world.
In fact, many religious people have discovered ways to reconcile their beliefs with the theory of evolution. For example some Christians believe that God created the world through evolution, and that humans share an ancestral connection with other animals.
It is crucial for scientists to advocate for the teaching of evolution. In some countries around the world there is a growing anti-evolutionist sentiment. In the United States, efforts to limit the teaching of evolution have made some progress in a few states. In South Korea, a group known as the Society for Textbook Revise, an offshoot from the Korea Association for Creation Research (KAC), is campaigning for textbooks that cover the evolution of horses and their Avian ancestor Archaeopteryx.
While these are disturbing developments, it is also important to keep in mind that the evidence for evolution is overwhelming. The evidence for evolution is based on a variety of sources, including fossils, genetics and the behavior of living creatures. Other scientists independently confirm the evidence.
The majority of scientists support the theory of evolution. The reason for this is a variety of reasons. Certain scientists study evolution in order to make practical discoveries that can lead to the development of new medications or developing new medicines, while others are driven by the desire to improve the lives of animals and plant species, usually to benefit humans. Some are simply curious, whereas others have a deep religious belief in God and seek to understand how the universe functions.
What is Creationism?
Creationists believe that God created all things in the universe. They also believe that the Bible is God's word and should be interpreted in a literal manner. While not all creationists are Christian but they are a majority. Creationists are typically divided into two categories: Young Earth Creationists (YEC) or old earth creationists.
The most well-known type of creationist is known as the YEC. They believe that God created the universe in the exact way that is described in the Bible. YECs believe that the biblical account of the six days of creation is true and that the universe and life on Earth began only recently.
OECs are less well known however they're just as committed to their beliefs as YECs. OECs believe that the universe and life on Earth are billions of years old and they believe that evolution is a myth.
Both kinds of creationism deny that scientific principles such as biogenesis and natural selection could explain how life came to be on Earth. They argue that evolution is not possible because it requires miracles. The pioneers of modern scientific thought resisted miracles in fear that they could lose their credibility.
Some creationists accept naturalistic evolution as well as special creation, and call their position "theistic evolution." It is sometimes known as "continuous creationism" or "evolution from the original species." This theory states that God creates the original species and allows them to evolve over time. These evolutionary changes eventually will result in new species similar to the original.
Some creationists believe that God created all living things and the universe in one event known as the Great Flood. They believe that all the species of the beginning were created at the same moment and that they gradually evolved. They reject the idea of abiogenesis, and argue that self-replicating living cannot come from non-living matter.
In general, the creationists are against teaching of evolution in schools. Numerous professional organizations, like the National Science Teachers Association and the Association for Science Teacher Education endorse this view, as do the American Anthropological Association and the Geological Society of America. Certain scientists and educational institutions are however more flexible and allow creationism and evolution to be incorporated into their curriculum.
What exactly is Creationism in Korea?
When people think of the concept of creationism most often, they think of the United States. However, South Korea is also home to an anti-evolution movement. Publishers of high school textbooks have recently declared that they will be removing references to evolution from their editions. The Society for Textbook Revise, an independent body that is an offshoot from the Korea Association for Creation Research (KACCR) is the one who has led this effort. STR has achieved its first victory in taking away instances of the evolution of the horse as well as an avian ancestor called the Archeopteryx from textbooks. Its sights are now set on removing excerpts from Darwin's notorious finch research and on human evolution too.
STR claims that it has the support of 4000 families and individuals. Its goal is to weed out what it regards as the "atheist materialism" that reflects a hopeless worldview for students. It also aims at countering the influence of American Creationists in the nation. A survey of trainee biology teachers revealed that a majority do not believe in evolution. The reasons for this aren't entirely certain, but could be related to religion or the absence of creation scientists in the country.
The KACR has achieved a lot through its lectures and seminars in the past. It publishes a bimonthly journal called Creation and the book. The most notable of these is a text on the natural sciences with a creationist viewpoint, which attracted the attention of college communities. In 1991, a professor along with a minister began teaching Creation Science at one university. It is still taught to students today.
On August 7 and 8 in 1993, the same day that the World Expo opened in Daejeon, KACR held a second International Symposium on Creation Research. Six lecturers from around the world including ICR's John Morris, Duane Gish and Steven Austin spoke to audiences of a few thousand. KACR members and KACR have also given talks on creation science in major seminaries. KACR plans to create a Creation Science Education Center in the near future.