Evolution Korea
In the past the Korean scientific community avoided engaging with creationists for fear of giving the movement more credence. But silence is no longer an option.
The STR has been fighting to eliminate information about evolution from textbooks including the discovery that the feathered Archaeopteryx was an ancestor bird. This is only one aspect of the development paradigm's evolution.
What is Evolution?
click the following article of evolution is a scientific one that explains the changes in the genetic traits of living organisms over time. The theory is based on the fact that living things adapt to their environments which can result in changes in genes, or even entire genomes. These changes could over generations lead to the creation of new species. The most popular theory of evolution is known as natural selection, which describes the process that allows individuals with advantageous characteristics survive and reproduce more often than those with less favorable characteristics. This differential reproduction can eventually lead to the creation and evolution of new species.
The term "evolution" is derived from the Latin word for unraveling or revealing, however the concept itself has a myriad of meanings over the years as it has taken form in the fields of science and 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. The term"transmutation" was coined by Lamarck's student embryologist Etienne Geoffroy Saint Hilaire, to describe this idea. Charles Lyell, in his Principles of Geology, published in 1833, criticized the idea of evolution and borrowed the term from Geoffroy’s student.
More recently evolutionary biologists have defined evolution as a process when living organisms develop traits that enhance their chances of survival or the ability to produce offspring. In time, this genetic variability can lead to the emergence of entirely new physical or biological traits in the same population. Such a shift in gene frequency is known as natural selection and it is the main driver of evolutionary changes. Other changes that aren't genetic, such as an increase in muscle mass due to exercise or diet, can't be considered to be evolutionary because they aren't passed on to the next generation.
Despite the fact that evolution has withstood the test of time and thousands of scientific experiments Creationists have taken advantage of the notion that the theory is controversial to claim that it shouldn't be taught in schools. In South Korea, creationists won some victories against evolution in high school textbooks. This includes the removal of references about the evolutionary origins for humans and Archaeopteryx - a feathered dino which is believed to be the ancestral bird's first ancestor.
Why is Evolution important to humanity?
Evolution explains how the Earth and all its living species evolved. It is also one of the pillars of biology, and helps scientists to understand how living things function and develop. Evolution also shows how different species are connected. Scientists study evolution in order to better understand nature and make useful discoveries such as new drugs.
The evidence for evolution is overwhelming. There is no other scientific theory that explains as much about the universe as the life on this planet. It has been rigorously scrutinized and confirmed for a number of years. Many people, including religious leaders, are in support of the scientific theory. It is important to remember that evolutionary biology doesn't contradict religious beliefs because it only addresses physical objects, events, and processes.
In fact, many religious people have come up with ways to reconcile their beliefs with evolutionary theory. Certain Christians for instance, believe that God created everything through evolution and that humans have an ancestry that is shared with other animals.
It is essential for scientists to support the teaching of evolution. Unfortunately, in a few countries around the globe the anti-evolution movement is growing. In the United States some states have taken measures to restrict teaching evolution. In South Korea, a group called the Society for Textbook Revise, an offshoot from the Korea Association for Creation Research (KAC), is campaigning for textbook content on the evolutionary history of horses and their avian ancestor Archaeopteryx.
It is vital to remember, however, that the evidence in support of evolution is overwhelming. The evidence for evolution comes from many sources, including fossils, genetics, and the behavior of living creatures. Other scientists independently verify the evidence.
The majority of scientists agree with the theory of evolution. This support is based on many different reasons. Scientists study evolution to discover practical solutions that can lead to the development of new medicines, while others are motivated by the desire to improve the lives of animals and plant species, typically to benefit humans. Some are simply curious, and others have a deep religious belief in God and seek to understand how the universe functions.
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 as such. Many creationists are Christians, but not all. Creationists are typically divided into two groups: Young Earth Creationists (YEC) or old earth creationists.
The YECs are perhaps the most well known form of creationist, and they believe that God created the world in the exact way described in the Bible. They believe that the biblical account of the six days of creation is literal and that the universe and life on Earth were created only recently.
OECs are not as well-known, but they are as passionate about their beliefs as YECs. OECs believe that the universe as well as Earth are billions of years old and that evolution is a myth.
Both types of creationism reject the idea that scientific principles like natural selection and biogenesis can explain how life started on Earth. They assert that evolution is impossible, because it would require miracles. The pioneers of modern science shunned miracles out of fear they might lose their credibility.
Some creationists are able to accept both naturalistic evolution and special creation, and refer to their belief "theistic evolution." This is sometimes called "continuous creationism" or "evolution from created kinds." In this view, God creates the original species, and then allows them to evolve over time. In the end the evolutionary changes create new species that are similar to the original ones.
Other creationists hold that God created the universe and all living things in a single event, known as the Great Flood. These creationists believe that the first species were created at the same time and that they developed slowly afterwards. They also reject the idea of abiogenesis and argue that the creation of self-replicating organisms from nonliving matter is impossible.
In general, creationists are opposed to the teaching of evolution in schools. This is a position that is backed 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. Some academic institutions and scientists are, however, more flexible and allow evolution and creationism to be included in their curricula.
What exactly is Creationism in Korea?
When people think of creationism typically think of the United States. South Korea also has an anti-evolutionist group. Publishers of high-school textbooks announced last week that they will remove references to evolution in their textbooks. The Society for Textbook Revise, an independent body which is an offshoot from the Korea Association for Creation Research (KACCR), has led this drive. The STR has won its first victory by removing from textbooks evidence of the evolution and ancestor of the bird, the Archeopteryx. The next step is to take out the finch-research of Darwin's famed and also on human evolution.
STR claims to have the support of 4,000 families and individuals. The goal, according to STR, is to rid the world of what it calls "atheist materialism" which paints an unflattering image for students. It also aims to counteract the influence of American creationists in the country. A survey of the newest biology teachers found that about half do not believe in the concept of evolution. The causes aren't clear but could be due to religious beliefs and the lack of full-time creation scientists across the United States.
The KACR accomplished a number of things through its lectures and seminars in the past. It has a bimonthly news magazine, Creation, and has published books. Among these is a textbook on the natural sciences, with an evolutionary perspective that attracted the attention of college communities. In 1991, a professor, along 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 the world, including ICR's John Morris, Duane Gish, and Steven Austin spoke to audiences of over a thousand. KACR and its members have been giving lectures on creation science in major seminaries as well. KACR plans to establish a Creation Science Education Center in the near future.