Evolution Korea
For a long time the scientific community in Korea has refrained from engaging with creationists, afraid that doing so might give the movement more credibility. Silence is no longer an alternative.
The STR has been fighting to remove content from textbooks that describe evolution, such as the discovery of the feathered dinosaur Archaeopteryx as an ancestral bird's ancestor. However, this is just one aspect of the development paradigm's evolution.
What is Evolution?
Evolution is a concept in science that explains changes in genetic characteristics over time. The theory is based on fact that living organisms adapt to their surroundings which can result in changes in genes, or even entire genomes. These changes can over many generations lead to the emergence of new species. Natural selection is the predominant theory of evolution. It explains how individuals with advantageous traits can reproduce faster and longer than those with less advantageous traits. This variation in reproduction could be a catalyst to the creation and evolution of new species.
The term "evolution" originates from the Latin word"evolution" which means unraveling or revealing, however the concept itself has had many different meanings as it has taken shape in the sciences and in other fields. Some early evolutionists, like Jean Baptiste de Lamarck and Erasmus Darwin (Charles's grandfather) believed that existing species evolved into new species in a planned manner. Etienne Geoffroy St-Hilaire was Lamarck's embryologist disciple who invented the term "transmutation" to describe this idea. Charles Lyell, who published the second volume of his Principles of Geology in 1833, attacked this idea and borrowed the term "evolution" from Geoffroy's student to describe the notion that existing species evolve into new species in a gradual and predictable manner.
In recent years, evolutionary biologists have defined evolution as a process when living organisms develop traits that increase their chances of survival, or their ability to produce offspring. Over time the genetic variability could cause the emergence of completely new physical or biological functions in the population. Natural selection is the main force behind most evolutionary changes. Changes that are not genetic, like an increase in muscle mass from exercise or diet, cannot be considered to be evolutionary 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 true by thousands of scientific tests and it has been tested over time. They claim that the theory should not be taught at school. In South Korea, creationists won some victories against evolution in textbooks for high school. This includes the removal of all references about the evolutionary history of humans and Archaeopteryx which is a feathered dinosaur that is believed to be the ancestor of birds.
Why is Evolution Important?
Evolution explains how the Earth and all its living species evolved. It is also a fundamental part of biology and helps scientists learn how living organisms function and develop. Evolution also demonstrates how different species are linked. Scientists study evolution in order to better comprehend nature and make valuable discoveries such as 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 rigorously scrutinized and confirmed for a number of years. Many people, and even religious leaders, are in favor of the scientific theory. It is important to remember that evolutionary biology isn't in contradict religious beliefs because it only deals with physical objects, events and processes.
Many religious people have found a way to reconcile evolution with their convictions. For example some Christians believe that God created the world through evolution and that humans share an ancestry with other animals.
It is essential for scientists to stand up for the teaching of evolution. In certain countries, the anti-evolution movement has been growing. In the United States some states have taken steps to limit the teaching of evolution. In South Korea, a group known as the Society for Textbook Revise, an offshoot of the Korea Association for Creation Research (KAC), is campaigning for textbooks to include content on the evolution of horses and their ancestral avian species Archaeopteryx.
While these are troubling developments, it is also important to remember 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. The evidence is also independently verified by other scientists.
The majority of scientists agree with the theory of evolution. The reasons behind this belief are diverse. Scientists study evolution to discover practical solutions for example, such as the development of medications, while others are motivated by the desire to improve the lives of animals and plant species, usually for the benefit of humans. 에볼루션 코리아 are simply curious, whereas still others have a deep religious belief in God and are seeking to know how the universe functions.
What is Creationism?
Creationists are those who believe that God created the universe and all that is in it. They also believe that the Bible is the word of God and should be taken literally. While not all creationists are Christian but many are. Creationists generally fall in two categories: Young Earth creationists (YEC) and old earth creationists (OEC).
The most well-known type of creationist is the YEC. They believe that God created the universe in the exact manner described in the Bible. YECs believe that the biblical account of the creation's six days is literal and that the universe and life on Earth began only recently.
OECs aren't as popular However, their beliefs are just as intense as those of YECs. OECs believe that the universe as well as Earth are billions of years old, and believe that evolution is a lie.
Both types of creationism reject the scientific theories that biogenesis and natural selection can explain how life came to be on Earth. They claim that evolution is impossible because it would require a miracle, and that the founders of modern science rejected miracles out of fear of losing credibility.
Some creationists accept naturalistic evolutionary and also special creation. They call their view “theistic evolution.” This is sometimes also referred to as "continuous creationism" or "evolution from the created species." The theory says that God creates the original species and then allows them to change over time. In the end the evolutionary changes produce new species that are similar to the original ones.
Some creationists believe that God created all living things and the entire universe in one event called the Great Flood. Creationists believe that the original species were created at the same time, and that they developed slowly afterwards. They reject the concept of abiogenesis, and argue that self-replicating life can't come from non-living matter.
In general, the creationists are against teaching of evolution in schools. This is a position that is backed by a variety of professional organizations, including the National Science Teachers Association, the Association for Science Teacher Education as well as the American Anthropological Association, and the Geological Society of America. However, certain scientists and educational institutions are more flexible and allow the inclusion of creationism and evolution in their curricula.
What is Creationism?
When people think of creationism, they often think of the United States. However, South Korea is also home to an anti-evolution movement. The publishers of high-school textbooks announced recently that they would eliminate references to 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. STR has achieved its first victory by taking away examples of the evolution of the horse and an avian ancestor, the Archeopteryx from textbooks. The next goal is to take out portions of Darwin's notorious finch-research as well as on human evolution.
STR claims to have the support of 4000 families and individuals. Its aim is to root out what it regards as the "atheist materialism" that creates a bleak worldview for students. It also hopes to combat the influence of American creationists in the United States. A survey of the newest biology teachers revealed that a majority do not believe in evolution. The reasons for this are not clear however, they could be related to religious beliefs or the absence of full-time creation scientists across the country.
The KACR has achieved a number of things through its seminars and lectures. It has a bimonthly news magazine, Creation, and has published books. One of these was an educational textbook on natural sciences with a creationist stance. It sparked interest in college communities. In 1991, a professor, together with a minister began teaching Creation Science at one university. It is still taught in the present.
On August 6 and 7, 1993, KACR hosted a second International Symposium on Creation Research. The event 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 over a thousand. KACR members and KACR have also given lectures on creation science in prestigious seminaries. KACR plans to establish a Creation Science Education Center.