Evolution Korea
Until recently, Korea's scientific community has been hesitant to engage with the creationists in fear that doing so might increase the credibility of the movement. Silence is no longer an alternative.
The STR has been fighting to remove information about evolution from textbooks including the discovery that the feathered Archaeopteryx was an ancestor bird. This is only one aspect of the development paradigm's evolution.
What is Evolution?
Evolution is a concept in science that explains changes in genetic traits over time. The theory is based upon the fact that living organisms adapt to their environment, which could result in changes to genes or even whole genomes. Over the course of many generations, these changes can result in the creation of new species. The most popular theory of evolution is natural selection, which describes the process through which those with favorable characteristics live and reproduce more frequently than those with disadvantages. This differing reproduction may be a catalyst to the creation and evolution of new species.
The term "evolution" comes from the Latin word for unrolling or revealing, but the concept itself has had many different meanings as it has taken shape in the sciences and other fields. 에볼루션코리아 , such as Jean Baptiste de Lamarck and Erasmus Darwin (Charles's grandfather) believed that the existing species transformed into other species in a certain way. The term transmutation was coined by Lamarck's student, embryologist Etienne Geoffroy Saint Hilaire, to describe this notion. Charles Lyell, in his Principles of Geology, published in 1833, challenged the concept of evolution and borrowed the term from Geoffroy's student.
Evolutionary biologists define it more recently as a process in which living things develop characteristics that increase their chances of survival or conceiving offspring. As time passes this genetic variation can lead to the emergence of entirely new physical or biological functions in the population. Natural selection is the process that drives the majority of evolutionary changes. However other changes that are not genetic, such as increases in muscle mass due to diet or exercise cannot be considered examples of evolution since they're not passed on to future generations.
Despite the fact that evolution has withstood the test of time and thousands of scientific experiments however, creationists have taken advantage of the idea that evolution is controversial and claim that it shouldn't be taught in schools. In South Korea, creationists have won a few victories in their fight to remove evolution from high school textbooks which includes the removal of any mention of the evolutionary origins of humans and the Archaeopteryx, a feathered dinosaur believed to be an ancestral bird's parent.
Why is Evolution Important for Humanity?
Evolution explains how Earth and all its living species evolved. It is also one of the foundations of biology, and aids scientists discover how living things operate and develop. Evolution also helps us understand the connections between different species. Scientists study evolution to better understand the natural world, and also to make important discoveries, such as developing new treatments.
The evidence for biological evolution is overwhelming. There is no other scientific theory that can explain so many aspects of the universe and life on this planet and has been rigorously tested and confirmed over the course of many years. Many people, including some religious leaders, are in favor of the scientific theory of evolution. It is essential to remember that evolutionary biology doesn't contradict religious beliefs because it only addresses physical objects, events, and processes.
In reality many religious individuals have come up with ways to reconcile their beliefs with evolution. For instance, some Christians believe that God created the universe through evolution, and that humans share an ancestral connection with other animals.
It is crucial for scientists to stand up for the teaching of evolution. In some nations around the world there is a growing anti-evolutionist sentiment. In the United States, efforts to restrict the teaching of evolution have made headway in a few states. In South Korea, a group called 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 troubling changes, it's important to keep in mind that the evidence for 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 vast majority of scientists support the theory of evolution. The reason for this is a variety of reasons. Some scientists study evolution to make practical discoveries that can lead to the development of new medicines or developing new medicines, while others are driven by an interest in improving the quality of life for animals and plant species, generally for the benefit of humans. Some are simply curious, whereas others have a deep religious belief in God and are seeking to understand how the universe functions.
What is Creationism?
Creationists believe that God created all things in the universe. They also believe the Bible is God's word and should be believed to be true. Many creationists are Christians, but not all. Creationists are usually divided into two groups: Young Earth Creationists (YEC) or old earth creationists.
The most common 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 literal, and that the universe and life on Earth began only recently.
OECs are not as well-known however they're just as enthusiastic about their beliefs as YECs. OECs believe that the universe and Earth are billions of years old, and that evolution is a myth.
Both forms of creationism deny that scientific theories such as natural selection and abiogenesis can explain the origin of life on Earth. They argue that evolution is not possible because it requires an extraordinary event, and that the pioneers of modern science eschewed miracles for fear of losing credibility.
Some creationists accept naturalistic evolution as well as special creation, and call their position "theistic evolution." This is also referred to as "continuous evolutionism" or the "evolution of created kinds." In this theory, God creates the original species and then allows them to change over time. These evolutionary changes will eventually produce new species similar to the original.
Other creationists hold that God created the universe and all living things in one event, called the Great Flood. Creationists believe that the original species were all 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, creationists are against teaching of evolution in schools. Numerous professional associations, such as 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. However, some academic institutions and scientists are more flexible and allow the inclusion of creationism and evolution in their curricula.
What is Creationism in Korea?
When people think of the concept of creationism, they often think of the United States. South Korea also has an anti-evolutionist group. Publishers of high-school textbooks announced last week that they would remove references to evolution in their books. The Society for Textbook Revise, an independent body which is an offshoot of the Korea Association for Creation Research (KACCR) has been the driving force behind this campaign. The STR has scored its first victory by removing from textbooks examples of the evolution and ancestor of an avian, the Archeopteryx. The focus is now on the removal of excerpts from Darwin's notorious finch research and on human evolution, too.
STR claims to have the support of 4000 families and individuals. Its mission is to cut out what it regards as the "atheist materialism" that reflects a hopeless worldview for students. It also hopes to combat the influence of American creationists in the United States. A survey of the newest biology teachers found that about half do not believe in evolution. The causes aren't clear however, they could be related to religious beliefs and the lack of full-time creation scientists in the country.
The KACR has accomplished a lot through its lectures and seminar events. It has a bimonthly news magazine, Creation, and has published books. One of these was a textbook on natural science with a cosmological perspective. This sparked an 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 6th and 7th of 1993, KACR hosted a second International Symposium on Creation Research. This 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 several thousand. KACR and its members have given lectures on creation science at major seminaries, too. KACR plans to create a Creation Science Education Center in the future.