Evolution Korea
Up until recently, the Korean scientific community resisted working with creationists due to the fear of giving the movement more credence. However, silence is no anymore an option.
The STR has been fighting to eliminate content from textbooks that discuss evolution, including the discovery of the feathered dinosaur Archaeopteryx as an early bird's ancestor. This is only one example of the way in which the development paradigm has evolved.
What is Evolution?
Evolution is a scientific theory that explains the changes in the genetic traits of living organisms over time. The theory is based on the fact that living organisms adapt to their surroundings, which can cause variations in genes or even complete genomes. Over time, these changes can result in the emergence of new species. Natural selection is the predominant theory of evolution. It explains how people with advantageous traits can reproduce faster and longer than those with disadvantageous ones. Over time, this differential reproduction could lead to the emergence of entirely new species.
The term "evolution" originates 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. Some early evolutionists, including Jean Baptiste de Lamarck and Erasmus Darwin (Charles's grandfather) believed that existing species changed into other species in a predetermined fashion. The term transmutation was coined by Lamarck's disciple embryologist Etienne Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire, to describe this idea. Charles Lyell, who published the second volume of his Principles of Geology in 1833 challenged this notion and borrowed the term "evolution" from Geoffroy's student to describe the notion that species are evolving into new species in an orderly and predictable manner.
Evolutionary biologists define evolution more recently as a process in which living organisms develop traits to increase their chances of surviving or producing offspring. Over time, genetic variability can cause a population develop new physical characteristics or biological functions. Such a change in gene frequencies is called natural selection, and it drives most evolutionary changes. Changes that are not genetic, like an increase in muscle mass through exercise or diet, cannot be considered to be evolution since they aren't passed on to the next generation.
Creationists make the argument that evolution is controversial even though it has been proven to be true by thousands of scientific tests and that it has been tested over time. They claim that the concept should not be taught in schools. In South Korea, creationists have had a few wins in their fight to remove evolution from textbooks for high school, including the removal of any mention of the evolutionary history of humans, as well as the Archaeopteryx feathered dinosaur believed to be the ancestor of birds.
Why is Evolution Important to Humanity?
Evolution explains how the Earth and all living species came to be. It also serves as a basis of biology, and aids scientists to understand how living organisms work and grow. Evolution also shows the connections between species. Scientists study evolution to gain a better understanding of the natural world, and to discover useful information, such as developing new medicines.
The evidence for biological evolution is overwhelming. No other scientific theory can explain more about the universe and the life on earth. It has been thoroughly examined and confirmed for many years. Many people, including some religious leaders, are in favor of the theory of evolution as a scientific fact. It is important to remember that evolutionary biology isn't in conflict with religious beliefs as it only focuses on physical objects, events, and processes.
Many religious people have come up with a way of reconciling evolution with their convictions. For example certain Christians believe that God created the world through evolution and that humans have an ancestry with other animals.
It is important that scientists and educators speak out for the teaching of evolution. Unfortunately, in a few countries around the world, anti-evolution sentiment is growing. In the United States, efforts to restrict the teaching of evolution have made some headway in a few states. In South Korea, a group known as the Society for Textbook Revise, an offshoot of the Korea Association for Creation Research (KAC), is campaigning for textbooks to include content on the evolution of horses and their avian ancestor Archaeopteryx.
Although these are alarming changes, it's important to remember that the evidence for 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 majority of scientists agree with the theory of evolution. The reason for this is a variety of reasons. Certain scientists study evolution to make practical discoveries, such as the development of new medicines or enhancing existing ones. Others do this to improve animal and plants species, typically to benefit of humans. Some scientists are just curious, whereas others have an intense faith in God.
What is Creationism?
Creationists are those who believe that God created the universe and everything in it. Going In this article believe that the Bible is God's word and should be interpreted in a literal manner. While Creationists may not all be Christian, they are a majority. Creationists typically fall into one of two categories: Young Earth creationists (YEC) and old earth creationists (OEC).
The most well-known type of creationist is known as the YEC. They believe that God created the universe exactly in the manner described in the Bible. YECs hold that the biblical account of the six days of creation was literal and that the universe and life on Earth were only created recently.
OECs may be less well-known However, their beliefs are as passionate like those of YECs. OECs believe the universe and Earth are billions of years old and believe that evolution is a myth.
Both forms of creationism deny the scientific theories that natural selection and biogenesis can explain how life started on Earth. They claim that evolution is impossible, because it requires miracles. The pioneers of modern science shunned miracles in fear that they might lose their credibility.
Some creationists believe in naturalistic evolution as well as special creation, and call their belief "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 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 known as the Great Flood. These creationists hold that all species were created at the same time and then gradually evolved. They deny the notion of abiogenesis and claim that self-replicating life cannot arise from non-living matter.
In general, the creationists are against teaching evolution in schools. Numerous professional organizations, like the National Science Teachers Association and the Association for Science Teacher Education endorse this view and so do the American Anthropological Association and the Geological Society of America. However, some scientists and educational institutions are more flexible, and permit the inclusion of creationism and evolution in their curriculum.
What is Creationism?
When people think of creationism, they often think of the United States. However, South Korea is also home to an anti-evolutionist movement. The publishers of textbooks for high school students have recently declared that they will be removing references to evolution from their editions. The Society for Textbook Revise, an independent body which is an offshoot of the Korea Association for Creation Research (KACCR), has led this campaign. The STR has achieved its first victory by removing from textbooks the evidence of the evolution and ancestor of the avian, called the Archeopteryx. Its next target is to take out excerpts from Darwin’s infamous finch-research and also on human evolution.
STR claims to have the support of around 4000 families and individuals. Its mission is to cut out what it regards as the "atheist materialism" that paints an unhopeful 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 the concept of evolution. The reasons for this are not clear however, they could be related to religious beliefs and the lack of full-time creation scientists in the country.
The KACR has achieved a lot through its lectures and seminars in the past. It publishes a bimonthly magazine, Creation, and has published books. One of them was a textbook on natural sciences with a cosmological perspective. This led to 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 to students today.
On August 6th and 7th of 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 outside the country, including ICR's John Morris and Steven Austin addressed thousands of people. KACR members and KACR have also given talks on the subject of creation science at major seminaries. KACR plans to establish a Creation Science Education Center.