Evolution Korea
Until recently, Korea's scientific community has refrained from engaging with creationists, afraid that it could increase the credibility of the movement. The silence is no longer an alternative.
The STR has been campaigning to eliminate content from textbooks that describe evolution, such as the discovery of the feathered dinosaur Archaeopteryx as an ancestral bird's ancestor. However, this is just one aspect of the evolution of the development paradigm.
What is Evolution?
Evolution is a concept in science that explains the evolution of genetic characteristics over time. The theory is based on fact that living organisms adapt to their environments and this can lead to changes in genes, or even entire genomes. Over the course of many generations these changes could lead to the emergence new species. Natural selection is the dominant theory of evolution. It explains how people who have advantages are more likely to reproduce and survive than those with less favorable traits. This variation in reproduction could eventually lead to the emergence and evolution of new species.
The term "evolution" is derived from the Latin word for unrolling or revealing, but the concept itself has a myriad of meanings over the years as it has taken shape in the sciences and in other fields. Early evolutionists like Erasmus Darwin (Charles’s grandfather) and Jean Baptiste de Lamarck believed that species were predetermined to change into a new species. The term transmutation was coined by Lamarck's disciple, embryologist Etienne Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire to describe this notion. 무료 에볼루션 Evolution , in his Principles of Geology, published in 1833, criticized the idea 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 to improve their chances of living or producing offspring. In time, genetic variation can cause a population acquire new physical traits or biological functions. This variation in gene frequencies is called natural selection, and it is the main driver of evolutionary change. Non-genetic changes, such as an increase in muscle mass from exercise or diet, cannot be considered to be evolution since they don't pass on to future generations.
Creationists have a tendency to use the argument that evolution is controversial even though it has been proven valid by a multitude of scientific tests and that it has stood the test of time. They argue that the concept should not 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 and Archaeopteryx - a feathered dino which is believed to be the bird's ancestor.
Why is Evolution Important for Humanity?
Evolution explains how the Earth and all living species came to be. It is also a fundamental part of biology, and aids scientists learn how living organisms function and grow. 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 drugs.
The evidence for evolution of biological species is overwhelming. No other scientific theory explains as much about the universe and life on our planet. It has been thoroughly examined and confirmed for many years. Many people, and even religious leaders, are in support of the scientific theory. It is essential to remember that evolutionary biology isn't in interfere with religious beliefs since it only focuses on physical objects, events and processes.
Many religious people have found a way to reconcile evolution with their beliefs. For instance, some Christians believe that God created the world through evolution, and that humans share an ancestral lineage with other animals.
It is crucial for science educators to support the teaching of evolution. In some countries, the anti-evolution movement is growing. In the United States, efforts to limit the teaching of evolution have made some headway 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 campaigning for the removal of textbooks on the evolution of horses and the avian ancestral Archaeopteryx.
Although these are alarming developments, it is also important to remember that the evidence for evolution is overwhelming. The evidence comes from a diverse variety of sources, including fossils, genetic studies and the behavior of living organisms. Other scientists independently confirm the evidence.
The vast majority of scientists agree with the theory of evolution. This belief is based on various reasons. Scientists study evolution to make practical discoveries, such as developing new medicines and other treatments, while others use it to improve animal and plants species, mostly to benefit humans. Some are simply curious, while others have a deep religious belief in God and seek to understand how the universe works.
What is Creationism?
Creationists are people who believe that God created the universe and everything in it. They also believe that the Bible is the word of God and should be taken as such. While some creationists are not Christian however, they are a majority. Creationists are typically divided into two groups: Young Earth Creationists (YEC) or old earth creationists.
The most popular type of creationist is known as the YEC. They believe that God created the universe in exactly the manner described in the Bible. YECs hold 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 might not be as popular, but their beliefs are as passionate like the YECs. OECs believe that the universe and all life on Earth are billions of years old and that evolution is an untruth.
Both types of creationism reject that scientific principles such as biogenesis and natural selection could explain how life came to be on Earth. They argue that evolution is not possible because it requires the creation of a miracle, and the scientists who founded modern science eschewed miracles for fear that they would lose credibility.
Some creationists accept naturalistic evolution and also special creation, and call their view “theistic evolution.” This is also known as "continuous evolutionism" or the "evolution of the created species." In this belief system, God creates the original species and allows them to change 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 known as the Great Flood. They believe that the first species were created at the same time and that they evolved slowly afterwards. They reject the idea of abiogenesis and assert that self-replicating life cannot arise from non-living matter.
In general, creationists are opposed to the teaching of evolution in schools. Numerous professional associations, like the National Science Teachers Association and the Association for Science Teacher Education are in support of this view as do the American Anthropological Association and the Geological Society of America. However, certain scientists and educational institutions are more flexible, and allow for the inclusion of both evolution and creationism in their curriculum.
What is Creationism?
When people think of the concept of creationism, they often think of the United States. South Korea also has an anti-evolution group. Publishers of high school textbooks have recently announced that they will eliminate references to evolution from their books. A group dubbed the Society for Textbook Revise (STR), an independent body that is an offshoot of the Korea Association for Creation Research which is the driving force behind the campaign. The STR has won its first victory by removing from textbooks evidence of the evolution and ancestor of an bird, the Archeopteryx. The next step is to remove excerpts from Darwin’s infamous finch-research and also on human evolution.
STR claims to have the support of around 4,000 families and individuals. 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 country. A survey of biology students teachers revealed that around half do not believe in evolution. The causes are not certain, but could be related to religion or the absence of creation scientists in the US.
The KACR accomplished a number of things through its seminars and lectures in the past. It publishes a bimonthly magazine, Creation, and has published books. One of these was a textbook on natural sciences that had a creationist perspective. This sparked an interest in the college community. In 1991, a professor along with a minister, began teaching Creation Science at one university. It is still taught 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 foreign lecturers including ICR's John Morris and Steven Austin addressed an audience of several thousand. KACR and its members have been giving lectures on creation science at major seminaries too. KACR is planning to create a Creation Science Education Center.
