Evolution Korea
Until recently the scientific community in Korea has avoided engaging with creationists, afraid that doing so could increase the credibility of the movement. But silence is no anymore an option.
The STR has been fighting to get the content on evolution from textbooks, including the discovery that the feathered Archaeopteryx was an ancestor bird. This is only one aspect of the way in which the development paradigm has evolved.
What is Evolution?
The theory of evolution is a branch of science that explains the evolution of genetic characteristics over time. The theory is based on the fact that living organisms adapt to their environment, which may lead to variations in genes or entire genomes. These changes can over many generations lead to the emergence of new species. Natural selection is the dominant theory of evolution. It explains how individuals with advantageous traits are more likely to reproduce and survive than those with less favorable traits. This variation in reproduction could eventually lead to the creation and evolution of new species.
The word "evolution" is derived from Latin for revealing or unrolling has been used in many different ways as the concept has developed in both science as well as elsewhere. Some early evolutionists, like Jean Baptiste de Lamarck and Erasmus Darwin (Charles's grandfather) believed that existing species transformed into other species in a predetermined fashion. Etienne Geoffroy St-Hilaire was Lamarck's embryologist student who coined the term "transmutation" to describe this theory. Charles Lyell, in his Principles of Geology, published in 1833, criticized the concept of evolution and borrowed the term from Geoffroy's student.
Evolutionary biologists define it more recently as a process by which living things develop characteristics that increase their chances of living or producing offspring. In time the genetic variability could cause the emergence of entirely new physical or biological traits in the same population. The variation in gene frequencies is called natural selection, and is the primary driver behind evolutionary changes. Non-genetic changes, such as an increase in muscle mass due to exercise or diet, cannot be considered to be evolution since they don't pass on to future generations.
Despite the fact that evolution has withstood the test of time and a multitude of scientific studies however, creationists have taken advantage of the idea that evolution is controversial to claim that it shouldn't be taught in schools. In South Korea, creationists have gained a few victories in their fight to remove evolution from high-school textbooks and have also gotten rid of any mention of the evolutionary history of humans as well as the Archaeopteryx feathered dinosaur that is thought to be an ancestor of birds.
Why is Evolution Important?
Evolution is the explanation for the origins of Earth and all living species. It is also a fundamental part of biology that helps scientists to understand how living organisms work and grow. Evolution also shows how different species are interconnected. Scientists study evolution to understand the natural world, and to make useful discoveries like the development of new treatments.
The evidence for evolution is overwhelming. There is no other scientific theory that explains so many aspects of the universe and life on this planet and has been rigorously tested and verified over the course of many years. Many people, including some religious leaders, support the theory of evolution as a scientific fact. It is important to remember that evolutionary biology isn't in interfere with religious beliefs since it only deals with physical objects, events, and processes.
In reality, many religious people have discovered ways to reconcile their beliefs with the theory of evolution. Some Christians, for example, believe that God created everything through evolution and that humans have an ancestral connection to other animals.
It is essential for science educators to support the teaching of evolution. Unfortunately, in some nations around the world, anti-evolution sentiment is growing. In the United States some states have taken steps to limit teaching evolution. In South Korea, a group known as the Society for Textbook Revise, an offshoot from the Korea Association for Creation Research (KAC) is a campaign for textbooks that cover the evolutionary history of horses and their ancestral avian species Archaeopteryx.
It is important to remember, however, that the evidence in favor of evolution is overwhelming. The evidence comes from a diverse range of sources, including fossils, genetic studies, and the behavior of living organisms. The evidence is also independently verified by other scientists.
The majority of scientists agree with the theory of evolution. The reasons behind this support are diverse. Scientists study evolution to discover practical solutions such as developing new medicines, while others do so to improve the quality of animal and plant species, typically to benefit humans. 에볼루션 코리아 are simply curious, whereas others have an intense belief in God.
What is Creationism?
Creationists believe that God created everything in the universe. They also believe that the Bible is the word of God and should be taken seriously. While some creationists are not Christian, they are a majority. Creationists generally fall in one of two categories: Young Earth creationists (YEC) and old earth creationists (OEC).
YECs are the most well known type of creationist, and they believe that God created the universe exactly as described in the Bible. They believe that the biblical account of the first six days of creation is literal and that the universe and life on Earth were created just recently.
OECs are less well known, but they are as passionate about their beliefs as YECs. OECs believe that the universe and life on Earth are billions of years old and that evolution is an untruth.
Both types of creationism reject the idea that scientific principles like natural selection and biogenesis can explain how life came to be on Earth. They claim that evolution is not possible because it would require a miracle, and that the scientists who founded modern science rejected miracles out of fear that they would lose credibility.
Some creationists accept naturalistic evolutionary and special creation, and refer to their belief as "theistic evolution." This is also referred to as "continuous evolutionism" or the "evolution of species created." This theory states that God creates species from scratch and allows them to change over time. These evolution changes will eventually result in new species similar to the original.
Some creationists believe that God created all living things and the universe in a single event called the Great Flood. They believe that the original species were all created at the same time and that they evolved slowly afterward. They also reject the idea of abiogenesis, and argue that the emergence of self-replicating organisms from nonliving matter is not possible.
In general, creationists oppose the teaching of evolution in schools. This position is supported by a variety of professional organizations which include the National Science Teachers Association, the Association for Science Teacher Education as well as the American Anthropological Association, and the Geological Society of America. Some scientists and educational institutions, however, are more flexible and allow both evolution and creationism to be incorporated into their curriculum.
What is Creationism?
When people think of creationism typically think of the United States. However, South Korea is also home to an anti-evolutionist movement. Publishers of high school textbooks have recently announced that they will eliminate references to evolution from their books. A group called the Society for Textbook Revise (STR), an independent body that is an offshoot of the Korea Association for Creation Research, has led the drive. STR has achieved its first victory in eliminating instances of the evolution of the horse and an avian ancestor, called the Archeopteryx in textbooks. The next step is to take out portions of Darwin's notorious finch-research and also on human evolution.
STR claims that it has the support of 4,000 families and members. Its goal, it says, is to rid the world of what it calls "atheist materialism" which paints a negative view for students. It also hopes to combat the influence of American creationists in the United States. A survey of students in biology revealed that a majority of them did not believe evolution. The causes are not clear, but could include religious beliefs or the lack of creation scientists in the United States.
The KACR achieved many things through its seminars and lectures in the past. It publishes a bimonthly magazine, Creation, and has published books. One of these was an educational textbook on natural sciences with a creationist stance. This led to an interest among college communities. In 1991, a professor together with a minister began teaching Creation Science at one university. It is still taught to students today.
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 outside the country, including ICR's John Morris and Steven Austin presented to thousands of people. KACR members and KACR have also given lectures on the subject of creation science at major seminaries. KACR plans to establish a Creation Science Education Center in the future.