Evolution Korea
In the past the Korean scientific community refrained from engaging with creationists, afraid that doing so could increase the credibility of the movement. The silence is no longer an alternative.
The STR has been fighting to remove content from textbooks that describe evolution, including the discovery of the feathered dinosaur Archaeopteryx as an ancestral bird's ancestor. But this is merely one aspect of the evolution of the developmental paradigm.
What is Evolution?
Evolution is a scientific theory that explains the evolution of the genetic traits of living organisms over time. The theory is based upon the fact that living creatures adapt to their environment, which can result in changes to genes or even whole genomes. Over time these changes could lead to the emergence new species. Natural selection is the dominant theory of evolution. It explains how people with advantageous traits can reproduce faster and longer than those with less advantageous traits. This variation in reproduction could eventually lead to the development and emergence of new species.
The term "evolution" is derived from the Latin for unrolling or revealing has been used in many different ways as the concept has developed in both science as well as elsewhere. Some early evolutionists, including Jean Baptiste de Lamarck and Erasmus Darwin (Charles's grandfather), believed that existing species evolved into new species in a planned manner. The term transmutation was coined by the Lamarck's disciple embryologist Etienne Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire, to describe this view. Charles Lyell, in his Principles of Geology, published in 1833, criticized the idea of evolution, and borrowed the term from Geoffroy’s student.
More recently evolutionary biologists have defined evolution as a process that occurs when living creatures develop characteristics that improve their chances of survival or the ability to reproduce offspring. In time, genetic variation can cause a population to acquire new physical traits or biological functions. Natural selection is the process that drives the most evolutionary changes. Changes that are not genetic, like an increase in muscle mass through exercise or diet, can't be considered evolution because they aren't passed on to future generations.
Creationists have a tendency to use the argument that evolution is controversial despite the fact that it has been proven accurate by thousands of scientific tests and it has stood the test of time. They claim that the concept should not be taught at school. In South Korea, creationists won a few victories over evolution in textbooks for high school. This includes the removal of references about the evolutionary origins for humans and Archaeopteryx - a feathered dinosaur that is believed to be the ancestor of birds.
Why is Evolution Important to Humanity?
Evolution explains how Earth and all its living species evolved. It also serves as a basis of biology that helps scientists comprehend how living organisms operate and grow. Evolution also shows the connections between different species. Scientists study evolution in order to better understand nature and make useful discoveries like new drugs.
The evidence for biological evolution is overwhelming. No other scientific theory can explain as much about the universe as the life on our planet. It has been thoroughly studied and verified for many years. Many people, including religious leaders, support the theory of evolution as a scientific fact. It is important to note that evolutionary biology does not interfere with religious beliefs, as the theory deals only with processes, objects, and events in the physical world.
Many religious people have come up with a way of reconciling evolution with their beliefs. For instance, some Christians believe that God created the world through evolution and that humans share an ancestral connection with other animals.
It is important that science educators stand up for the teaching of evolution. In certain countries, the opposition to evolution is growing. In the United States some states have taken steps to limit teaching evolution. In South Korea, a group called the Society for Textbook Revise, an offshoot of the Korea Association for Creation Research (KAC) is a campaign for textbooks that cover the evolution of horses and their ancestral avian species Archaeopteryx.
It is crucial to keep in mind that the evidence in support of evolution is overwhelming. The evidence for evolution comes from a variety of sources, such as fossils, genetics, and the behavior of living creatures. The evidence is also independently verified by other scientists.
weblink of scientists supports the theory of evolution. The reasons behind this support vary. Certain scientists study evolution in order to discover practical solutions for example, such as the development of medications, while others are motivated by a desire to improve animal and plant species, generally to benefit humans. Some scientists are just curious, while others have a strong religious belief in God.
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 taken literally. Although not all creationists are Christian, they are a majority. Creationists typically fall into two categories: Young Earth creationists (YEC) and old earth creationists (OEC).
The YECs are the best known form of creationist, and they believe that God created the world exactly as described in the Bible. YECs hold that the biblical account of the first six days of creation was literal and that the universe and life on Earth were only created recently.
OECs may be less well-known However, their beliefs are just as passionate like the YECs. OECs believe that the universe and all life on Earth are billions of years old, and that evolution is an untruth.
Both types of creationism reject the notion that scientific principles such as natural selection and abiogenesis can explain the origin of life on Earth. They argue that evolution is inconceivable because it requires miracles. The founders of modern scientific thought resisted miracles in fear that they would lose their credibility.
Some creationists accept naturalistic evolutionary as well as special creation. They consider their views to be "theistic evolution." This is also known as "continuous evolutionism" or the "evolution of species created." In this theory, God creates the original species, and then allows them to evolve over time. These evolutionary changes will eventually produce new species similar to the original.
Some creationists believe that God created all living things and the entire universe in one event known as the Great Flood. They believe that all the species of the beginning were created at the same time and that they gradually evolved. They also deny the notion of abiogenesis and argue that the self-replicating creation of organisms from nonliving matter is unattainable.
In general, creationists oppose the teaching of evolution in schools. This position is supported by numerous professional organizations such as the National Science Teachers Association, the Association for Science Teacher Education and the American Anthropological Association, and the Geological Society of America. Certain scientists and educational institutions, however, are more flexible and permit both evolution and creationism to be included in their curriculum.
What exactly is Creationism in Korea?
When people think about the concept of creationism, a lot think of the United States. However, South Korea is also home to an anti-evolutionist movement. The publishers of high-school textbooks announced recently that they would eliminate the mention of evolution in their textbooks. The Society for Textbook Revise, an independent organization that is an offshoot of the Korea Association for Creation Research (KACCR), has led this drive. The STR has won its first victory by removing from textbooks examples of the evolution and ancestor of the avian, the Archeopteryx. The focus is now on removing excerpts from Darwin's notorious finch research as well as on human evolution, too.
STR claims to have the support of 4,000 families and individuals. Its aim is to root out what it believes is the "atheist materialism" that reflects a hopeless worldview for students. It also aims to counteract the influence of American creationists who live in the US. A survey of undergraduates studying biology revealed that half of them didn't believe in evolution. The root causes are unclear but could be due to religious beliefs or the absence of full-time creation scientists in the country.
The KACR accomplished a number of things through its seminars and lectures in the past. It publishes a bimonthly news magazine, Creation, and has published books. One of them was an educational textbook on natural sciences with a creationist stance. This led to an interest in college communities. In 1991 the year 1991, a minister and professor began teaching Creation Science in one university, and it is taught to this day.
On August 6 and 7, 1993, KACR hosted a second International Symposium on Creation Research. It was held in conjunction with the opening of the World Expo in Daejeon. Six lecturers from abroad including ICR's John Morris, Duane Gish and Steven Austin spoke to audiences of several thousand. KACR members and KACR have also presented lectures on the subject of creation science at major seminaries. KACR plans to create a Creation Science Education Center in the future.