Evolution Korea
For a long time the scientific community in Korea has refrained from engaging with creationists, afraid that doing so could boost the credibility of the group. However, silence is no any longer an option.
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 way in which the development paradigm has evolved.
What is Evolution?
The theory of evolution is a branch of science that explains changes in genetic characteristics over time. The theory is based upon the fact that living organisms adjust to their environment, which can lead to variations in genes or even whole genomes. These changes can, over generations lead to the emergence of new species. Natural selection is the predominant theory of evolution. It describes how individuals with traits that are advantageous are more likely to reproduce and survive than those with disadvantageous ones. As time passes, this difference in reproduction could lead to the development of completely new species.
The term "evolution", which comes from the Latin for revealing or unrolling has been used in a variety of different ways as the concept has evolved in both science as well as elsewhere. Early evolutionists such as Erasmus Darwin (Charles’s grandfather) and Jean Baptiste de Lamarck believed that species were predestined to evolve into a different species. Etienne Geoffroy St-Hilaire, Lamarck's embryologist disciple who coined the term "transmutation" to describe this view. Charles Lyell, in his Principles of Geology, published in 1833, challenged the idea of evolution, and borrowed the term from Geoffroy’s student.
Evolutionary biologists define it more recently as a process in which living organisms develop traits that increase their chances of surviving or producing offspring. As time passes, genetic variation can lead a population to develop new physical characteristics or biological functions. Such a change in gene frequencies is known as natural selection and it is the main driver of evolutionary changes. However other changes that are not genetic, such as increases in muscle mass due to diet or exercise can't be considered examples of evolution since they're not inherited by the next generation.
Creationists have a tendency to use the argument that evolution is controversial, even though it has been proven to be accurate by thousands of scientific tests and it has been tested over time. They argue that the theory shouldn't 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 as well as Archaeopteryx - a feathered dinosaur which is believed to be the ancestral bird's first ancestor.
Why is Evolution Important for Humanity?
Evolution explains the origins of Earth and all living species. It is also a fundamental part of biology, and aids scientists comprehend how living organisms operate and develop. Evolution also helps us understand the connections between species. Scientists study evolution in order to better comprehend nature and make valuable discoveries such as new medicines.
The evidence for evolution is overwhelming. There is no other scientific theory that can explain so much about the universe as well as life on earth and has been thoroughly tested and confirmed over many years. Many people, even some religious leaders, are in support of the scientific theory. It is important to note that evolutionary biology does not contradict religious beliefs, since the theory only deals with objects, events and processes within the physical world.
In reality, many religious people have found ways to reconcile their beliefs with the theory of evolution. Certain Christians, for example, believe that God created everything through evolution and that humans have a common ancestry to other animals.
It is crucial for scientists to advocate for the teaching of evolution. Unfortunately, in a few nations around the world there is a growing anti-evolutionist sentiment. 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 of the Korea Association for Creation Research (KAC) is a campaign for textbooks that cover the evolutionary history of horses and their avian ancestor Archaeopteryx.
While these are disturbing developments, it is also important to keep in mind that the evidence for evolution is overwhelming. The evidence comes from a diverse 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 for this support vary. Certain scientists study evolution in order to discover practical solutions, such as developing medications or developing new medicines, while others are driven by the desire to improve the lives of animals and plant species, typically for the benefit of humans. Some are simply curious, while others have a profound 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 that the Bible is the word of God and should be taken seriously. Many creationists are Christians, but not all. Creationists are typically divided into two categories: Young Earth Creationists (YEC) or old earth creationists.
The most popular kind of creationist is called the YEC. They believe that God created the universe in the exact way 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 began only recently.
OECs are less well known, but they are as committed to their beliefs as YECs. OECs believe that the universe and all life on Earth are billions of years old and they believe that evolution is an untruth.
Both kinds of creationism deny the idea that scientific principles like biogenesis and natural selection could explain how life came to be on Earth. They argue that evolution is inconceivable because it would require miracles. The founders of modern science shunned miracles because they feared they might lose their credibility.
Some creationists believe in naturalistic evolution as well as special creation, and refer to their position "theistic evolution." It is sometimes referred to as "continuous creationism" or "evolution from the original species." The theory suggests that God creates original species and then allows these to change over time. In the end, these evolutionary changes will create new species that are like the original ones.
Some creationists believe that God created all living things and the universe in one event known as the Great Flood. These creationists believe that the original species were all created simultaneously, and that they evolved slowly afterward. They reject get more info the concept of abiogenesis and claim that self-replicating living cannot come from non-living matter.
In general, the creationists are opposed to the teaching of evolution in schools. This is supported by a myriad of professional associations such as 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 academic institutions and scientists are more flexible and allow for the inclusion of creationism and evolution in their curricula.
What exactly is Creationism in Korea?
When people think about the concept of creationism, a lot think of the United States. South Korea also has an anti-evolution group. The publishers of high-school textbooks announced last week that they would eliminate references to evolution in their textbooks. The Society for Textbook Revise, an independent body that is an offshoot of the Korea Association for Creation Research (KACCR) is the one who has led this drive. The STR has achieved its first victory by removing from textbooks the evidence of the evolution and ancestor of the bird, the Archeopteryx. Its sights are now set on removing excerpts from Darwin's infamous finch research and on human evolution, too.
STR claims that it has the support of around 4,000 families and individuals. Its mission is to cut out what it sees as the "atheist materialism" that creates a bleak worldview for students. It also aims at countering the influence of American Creationists in the nation. A survey of trainees in biology found that half did not believe evolution. The root causes are unclear but could be due to religious beliefs and the lack of full-time creation scientists across the United States.
The KACR has accomplished a lot in the past through seminars and lectures. It publishes a bimonthly news magazine, Creation, and has published books. One of them was a textbook on natural sciences with a cosmological perspective. It sparked interest among college communities. In 1991 an academic and minister started teaching Creation Science in one university and it continues to be taught until today.
On August 6-7 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 and Steven Austin presented to a crowd of more than a thousand. KACR members and KACR have also given lectures on the subject of creation science at major seminaries. KACR intends to establish a Creation Science Education Center.