Evolution Korea
In the past the scientific community in Korea has refrained from engaging with creationists, afraid that it could increase the credibility of the movement. The silence is no longer a viable option.
The STR has been fighting to get information about evolution from textbooks including the discovery that the feathered Archaeopteryx was an ancestral bird. This is only one aspect of how the development paradigm has changed.
What is Evolution?
The theory of evolution is a scientific one that explains the evolution of the genetic characteristics of living organisms over time. The theory is based on fact that living things adapt to their environment, which can cause variations in genes, or even entire genomes. These changes can over many generations result in the development of new species. The prevailing theory of evolution is known as natural selection, which explains the process by which individuals with advantageous characteristics survive and reproduce more frequently than those with disadvantages. As time passes, this difference in reproduction may lead to the emergence of completely new species.
The term "evolution" originates from Latin for revealing or unrolling has been used in many different ways as the concept has developed, both in science and elsewhere. Early evolutionists like Erasmus Darwin (Charles’s grandfather) and Jean Baptiste de Lamarck believed that species were predetermined to change into a new species. Etienne Geoffroy St-Hilaire was Lamarck's embryologist disciple who coined the term "transmutation" to describe this theory. 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. Over time, genetic variability can cause a population acquire new physical characteristics or biological functions. This variation in gene frequencies is known as natural selection and it drives most evolutionary change. Changes that are not genetic, like an increase in muscle mass due to exercise or diet, cannot be considered to be evolutionary because they aren't passed down to future generations.
Despite the fact that evolution has stood the tests of time and thousands of scientific tests however, creationists have taken advantage of the notion that the theory is controversial and claim that it shouldn't be taught in schools. In South Korea, creationists won a few victories against evolution in textbooks for high school. This includes the removal of all references about the evolutionary history of humans as well as Archaeopteryx - a feathered dinosaur that is believed to be the ancestral bird's first ancestor.
Why is Evolution Important to Humanity?
Evolution explains the origins and evolution of Earth and all living species. It is also one of the foundations of biology and helps scientists understand how living things work and grow. Evolution also shows the connections between species. Scientists study evolution to understand the natural world and also to make important discoveries, such as developing new treatments.
The evidence for evolution is overwhelming. No other scientific theory explains as much about the universe as the life on this planet. It has been rigorously studied and verified for many years. Many people, including religious leaders, are in favor of the scientific theory. It is important to understand that evolutionary biology does not conflict with religious beliefs, as the theory deals only with things, events and processes in the physical world.
In reality many religious individuals have come up with ways to reconcile their beliefs with evolutionary theory. Some Christians for instance believe that God created everything through evolution and that humans have a common ancestry to other animals.
It is important that science educators stand up for teaching evolution. In some 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 called the Society for Textbook Revise, an offshoot of the Korea Association for Creation Research (KAC) is a campaign for textbooks to include content on the evolution of horses and their Avian ancestor Archaeopteryx.
It is vital to remember, however, that the evidence in support of evolution is overwhelming. The evidence comes from a broad range of sources, such as fossils, genetic studies and the behavior of living organisms. The evidence is also independently verified by other scientists.
The vast majority of scientists agree with the theory of evolution. The reasons behind this support are diverse. Some scientists study evolution to discover practical solutions for example, such as the development of treatments and other treatments, while others are driven by a desire to improve animal and plant species, usually 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 the word of God and should be taken literally. Many creationists are Christians however, not all. Creationists are typically divided into two groups: Young Earth Creationists (YEC) or old earth creationists.
The YECs are the best known form of creationist, and they believe that God created the world exactly as described in the Bible. YECs believe that the biblical account of the six days of creation is literal and that the universe and life on Earth was created only recently.
OECs aren't as known However, their beliefs are just as intense like the YECs. look at here believe that the universe and life on Earth are billions of years old, and they believe that evolution is a myth.
Both forms of creationism deny that scientific principles such as natural selection and abiogenesis could explain the origin of life on Earth. They claim that evolution is not possible because it would require an extraordinary event, and that the founders of modern science shied away from miracles due to 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 known as "continuous evolutionism" or the "evolution of created kinds." In this view, God creates the original species, and then allows them to evolve over time. These evolutionary changes eventually will result in 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. Creationists believe that all the species of the beginning were created at the same moment and that they gradually evolved. They deny the notion of abiogenesis and assert that self-replicating life can't come from non-living matter.
In general, creationists oppose the teaching of evolution at schools. Numerous professional organizations, like 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. Certain scientists and educational institutions are, however, more flexible and allow both creationism and evolution to be incorporated into their curricula.
What is Creationism?
When people think of creationism typically think of the United States. However, South Korea is also the home of an anti-evolutionist movement. Publishers of high school textbooks have recently declared that they will be removing references to evolution from their books. The Society for Textbook Revise, an independent body that is an offshoot from the Korea Association for Creation Research (KACCR), has led this drive. STR has won its first victory in removing instances of the evolution of the horse as well as an avian ancestor, called the Archeopteryx in textbooks. It is now focusing 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. The goal, according to STR is to clear the world of what it calls "atheist materialism" that paints an image of students as being negative. It also hopes to combat the influence of American creationists in the country. A survey of biology students teachers revealed that a majority do not believe in evolution. The causes are not evident, but they could be due to religious beliefs or the lack of creation scientists in the country.
The KACR has achieved many things through its lectures and seminar events. It also publishes a bimonthly magazine called Creation and the book. One of them was a textbook on natural sciences that had a creationist perspective. It sparked interest among college communities. In 1991, a professor and minister began teaching Creation Science in one university, and it is taught until today.
On August 6 and 7 in 1993, the same day that the World Expo opened in Daejeon, KACR held a second International Symposium on Creation Research. 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 the subject of creation science at major seminaries. KACR plans to establish a Creation Science Education Center in the future.