Evolution Korea
Up until recently the Korean scientific community was hesitant about working with creationists due to the fear of giving the movement more credence. Silence is no longer a viable option.
The STR has been campaigning to get rid of textbooks that explain evolution, such as the discovery of the feathered dinosaur Archaeopteryx as an ancestor of birds. This is only one aspect of the evolution of the development paradigm.
What is Evolution?
Evolution is a theory of science that explains changes in genetic traits over time. The theory is based on fact that living things adapt to their surroundings, which can cause variations in genes, or even entire genomes. These changes could over generations result in the development of new species. Natural selection is the predominant theory of evolution. It explains how individuals who have advantages are more likely to reproduce and survive than those with less advantageous traits. This differential reproduction can, over time, lead to the emergence and evolution of new species.
The word "evolution" comes from the Latin word meaning unraveling or revealing, however the concept itself has a myriad of meanings as it has taken shape in the sciences and in other fields. Early evolutionists such as Erasmus Darwin (Charles’s grandfather) and Jean Baptiste de Lamarck believed that species were predestined to change into a new species. The term"transmutation" was coined by Lamarck's disciple embryologist Etienne Geoffroy Saint Hilaire, to describe this idea. Charles Lyell, in his Principles of Geology, published in 1833, challenged the idea of evolution and borrowed the term from Geoffroy’s student.
Recently, evolutionary biologists have defined evolution as a process that occurs when living creatures develop characteristics that increase their chances of survival or the ability to reproduce offspring. In time, genetic variation can cause a population acquire new physical traits or biological functions. Natural selection is the main force behind most evolutionary changes. However other changes that are not genetic, such as the growth in muscle mass due to exercise or diet cannot be considered to be examples of evolution since they are not inherited by 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 been tested over time. They claim that the theory shouldn't be taught in schools. In South Korea, creationists won a few victories against evolution in high school textbooks. This includes the removal of all references to the evolutionary roots of humans and Archaeopteryx - a feathered dinosaur which is believed to be the ancestor of birds.
Why is Evolution Important for Humanity?
Evolution is the explanation for the origins of Earth and all living species. It is also one of the pillars of biology, and aids scientists to understand how living things function and grow. Evolution also shows the connections between different species. Scientists study evolution to understand the natural world, and to discover useful information, such as developing new treatments.
The evidence for evolution is overwhelming. There is no other scientific theory that can explain so much about the universe and life on this planet, and it has been rigorously tested and verified over a long period of time. Many people, including some religious leaders, believe in the scientific theory of evolution. It is important to note that evolutionary biology doesn't contradict religions, since the theory is based on things, events and processes within the physical world.
In reality many religious people have found ways to reconcile their beliefs with the theory of evolution. For instance some Christians believe that God created the universe through evolution and that humans have an ancestral connection with other animals.
It is crucial that scientists and educators speak out for the teaching evolution. In certain countries, anti-evolution sentiment has been growing. In the United States, efforts to limit the teaching of evolution have made progress in a few states. In South Korea, a group called the Society for Textbook Revise (STR) which is an offshoot of the Korea Association for Creation Research is pushing for the elimination of textbook content about the evolution of horses as well as the avian ancestral Archaeopteryx.
Although these are alarming 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, Www.evolutionkr.Kr genetics and the behavior of living creatures. Other scientists independently verify the evidence.
The majority of scientists support the theory of evolution. The reasons for this support are diverse. Some scientists study evolution to discover practical solutions for example, such as the development of medications and other treatments, while others are driven by a desire to improve animal and plant species, typically to benefit humans. Some are simply curious, and others have a deep faith in God and want to know how the universe works.
What is Creationism?
Creationists believe that God created everything in the universe. They also believe that the Bible is God's word and should be interpreted in a literal manner. Many creationists are Christians however, not all. Creationists are usually 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 exactly in the manner described in the Bible. YECs believe that the biblical account of the creation's six days is true, and that the universe and the life on Earth started only recently.
OECs are not as well-known However, they're just as passionate about their beliefs as YECs. OECs believe that the universe and all life on Earth are billions of years old, and that evolution is an untruth.
Both forms of creationism deny the scientific theories that natural selection and biogenesis can explain how life started on Earth. They claim that evolution is not possible because it would require miracles. The founders of modern scientific thought shunned miracles in fear that they could lose their credibility.
Some creationists accept both naturalistic evolution and special creation, and call their position "theistic evolution." This is sometimes known as "continuous creationism" or "evolution from the original species." In this view, God creates the original species and allows them to evolve over time. These evolutionary changes will eventually produce new species that are similar to the original.
Some creationists believe that God created all living things and the universe in a single event called the Great Flood. These creationists believe that the original species were all created at the same time and that they developed gradually afterward. They also reject the idea of abiogenesis and argue that the self-replicating creation of organisms from nonliving matter is impossible.
In general, creationists oppose the teaching of evolution at schools. This is a position that is backed by numerous professional organizations, including the National Science Teachers Association, the Association for Science Teacher Education, the American Anthropological Association, and the Geological Society of America. Certain scientists and educational institutions, however, are more flexible and allow both evolution and creationism to be included in their curriculum.
What exactly is Creationism in Korea?
When people think of creationism typically think of the United States. South Korea also has an anti-evolution group. Publishers of high school textbooks have recently declared that they will be removing 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 secured its first victory in removing examples of the evolution of the horse as well as an avian ancestor, called the Archeopteryx in textbooks. The focus is now on removing excerpts from Darwin's infamous finch research and on human evolution, too.
STR claims to have the backing of 4,000 families as well as individual members. Its goal is to weed out what it believes is 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 the concept of evolution. The reasons for this aren't entirely evident, but they could be due to religion or the absence of creation scientists in the country.
The KACR accomplished a number of things through its lectures and seminars in the past. It publishes a bimonthly journal called Creation and an ebook. The most notable of these is a text on the natural sciences, with an evolutionary perspective that has sparked interest among college students. In 1991, a professor, along 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 the world, including ICR's John Morris, Duane Gish and Steven Austin spoke to audiences of over a thousand. KACR members and KACR have also presented lectures on creation science in major seminaries. KACR plans to establish a Creation Science Education Center in the future.