Evolution Korea
In the past, the Korean scientific community avoided engaging with the creationists out of fear of giving the movement more credibility. But silence is no longer an option.
The STR has been battling to remove content from textbooks that describe evolution, including the discovery of the feathered dinosaur Archaeopteryx as an early bird's ancestor. This is only one aspect of the evolution of the development paradigm.
What is Evolution?
Evolution is a theory of science that explains the evolution of the genetic traits of living organisms over time. The theory is based on the fact that living organisms adapt to their environments and this can lead to changes in genes, or even entire genomes. Over time these changes could result in the creation of new species. The predominant theory of evolution is called natural selection, which describes the process that allows individuals with advantageous characteristics survive and reproduce more often than those with less favorable characteristics. This variation in reproduction could be a catalyst to the development and emergence of new species.
The word "evolution" is derived from the Latin for revealing or unrolling has been used in many different ways as the concept has changed in both science and in other fields. Early evolutionists like Erasmus Darwin (Charles’s grandfather) and Jean Baptiste de Lamarck believed that species were predestined to change into another species. Etienne Geoffroy St.Hilaire was Lamarck's embryologist student who came up with the term "transmutation" to describe this idea. Charles Lyell, in his Principles of Geology, published in 1833, criticized the concept of evolution and borrowed the term from Geoffroy's student.
More recently evolutionary biologists have defined evolution as a process when living creatures develop characteristics that increase their chances of survival, or their ability to produce offspring. Over time this genetic variation can cause the emergence of completely new physical or biological functions in a population. Such a shift in gene frequency is called natural selection, and it is the main driver of evolutionary changes. Other changes that aren't genetic, such as an increase in muscle mass through exercise or diet, can't be considered to be evolution since they aren't passed on to the next generation.
Creationists have a tendency to use the argument that evolution is controversial, despite the fact that it has been proven valid by a multitude of scientific tests and that it has been tested over time. They claim that the theory should not be taught at school. In South Korea, creationists won some victories against evolution in textbooks for high schools. This includes the removal of references to the evolutionary roots of humans as well as Archaeopteryx which is a feathered dinosaur which is believed to be the ancestral bird's first ancestor.
Why is Evolution Important?
Evolution explains the origins of Earth and all living species. It is also a fundamental part of biology that helps scientists to learn how living organisms function and grow. Evolution also shows how different species are linked. Scientists study evolution to better comprehend nature and make valuable discoveries, such as the development of new medicines.
The evidence for evolution is overwhelming. There is no other scientific theory that explains so much about the universe and life on this planet and has been thoroughly tested and confirmed over the course of many years. Many people, and even religious leaders, are in favor of the scientific theory. It is crucial to keep in mind that evolutionary biology isn't in interfere with religious beliefs since it only addresses physical objects, events and processes.
In fact many religious people have come up with ways to reconcile their beliefs with the theory of evolution. For example, 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 support the teaching of evolution. In some countries, anti-evolution sentiment is growing. In the United States, efforts to restrict the teaching of evolution have made progress in a few states. In South Korea, a group known as the Society for Textbook Revise, an offshoot from the Korea Association for Creation Research (KAC) is pushing for textbooks that cover the evolution of horses and their avian ancestor Archaeopteryx.
It is important to remember, however, that the evidence in support of evolution is overwhelming. The evidence comes from a wide 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. This support is based on various reasons. Certain scientists study evolution in order to discover practical solutions such as the development of new medicines and other treatments, while others use it to improve the lives of animals and plant species, typically to benefit humans. Some scientists are just curious, while others have a strong religious belief in God.
What is Creationism?
Creationists are those who believe that God created the universe and all that is in it. They also believe that the Bible is the word of God and should be taken seriously. Many creationists are Christians however, not all. Creationists are generally divided into two groups: Young Earth Creationists (YEC) or old earth creationists.
YECs are the most well known form of creationist, and they believe that God created the universe exactly as described in the Bible. YECs believe that the biblical account of the creation's six days is literal and that the universe and the life on Earth started only recently.
OECs may be less well-known however their beliefs are just as passionate like those of YECs. OECs believe that the universe and Earth are billions of years old and that evolution is a lie.
Both types of creationism deny that scientific principles 에볼루션 무료체험 such as natural selection and abiogenesis are able to explain the origin of life on Earth. They claim that evolution isn't possible because it requires the creation of a miracle, and the scientists who founded modern science shied away from miracles due to fear of losing credibility.
Some creationists accept naturalistic evolution and also special creation. They consider their views to be "theistic evolution." It is sometimes called "continuous creationism" or "evolution from the original species." The theory says that God creates the original species and then allows them to evolve over time. These evolutionary changes eventually will result in new species 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 species were created at the same time and then gradually evolved. They also reject the concept of abiogenesis and argue that the creation of self-replicating organisms from nonliving matter is impossible.
In general, creationists oppose the teaching of evolution at schools. Numerous professional organizations, such as the National Science Teachers Association and the Association for Science Teacher Education support this position as do the American Anthropological Association and the Geological Society of America. However, some researchers and educational institutions are more flexible, and allow for the inclusion of both evolution and creationism in their curriculum.
What exactly is Creationism in Korea?
When people think of creationism, many of them think of the United States. South Korea also has an anti-evolutionist group. The publishers of high school textbooks have recently declared that they will be removing references to evolution from their textbooks. 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 scored 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 snippets of Darwin's notorious finch research and on human evolution, too.
STR claims to have the support of around 4,000 families and individuals. The goal, according to STR is to clear the world of what it calls "atheist materialism" which paints an unflattering image for students. It also hopes to combat the influence of American Creationists across the country. A survey of trainees in biology found that half did not believe in evolution. The reasons for this are not clear, but may include religion and the absence of full-time creation scientists across the country.
The KACR accomplished a number of things through its lectures and seminars in the past. It publishes a bimonthly news magazine, Creation, and has published books. One of them was an educational textbook on natural sciences with a creationist stance. This sparked an interest in the college community. In 1991, a professor together with a minister began teaching Creation Science at one university. It is still taught today.
On August 6-7, 1993, coinciding with the World Expo opened in Daejeon, KACR held a second International Symposium on Creation Research. Six lecturers from outside the country including ICR's John Morris and Steven Austin addressed an audience of several thousand. KACR members and KACR have also given talks on creation science in prestigious seminaries. KACR plans to establish a Creation Science Education Center.