Evolution Korea
For a long time the Korean scientific community resisted engaging with creationists for fear of giving the movement more credence. However, silence is no any longer an option.
The STR has been fighting to eliminate evolution-related content from textbooks, including the discovery that the feathered Archaeopteryx was an ancestral bird. This is only one aspect of how the development paradigm has evolved.
What is Evolution?
The theory of evolution is a scientific one that explains the evolution of the genetic traits of living organisms over time. The theory is based on the fact that living organisms adjust to their environment, which may result in changes to genes or entire genomes. Over many generations these changes could lead to the emergence new species. The predominant theory of evolution is called natural selection, which describes the process through which individuals with advantageous characteristics survive and reproduce more often than those with less favorable characteristics. This variation in reproduction could eventually lead to the creation and evolution of new species.
The term "evolution" originates from Latin for unrolling or revealing has been used in a variety of different ways as the concept has evolved, both in science as well as elsewhere. Early evolutionists such as 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 student embryologist Etienne Geoffroy Saint Hilaire, to describe this idea. Charles Lyell, in his Principles of Geology, published in 1833, challenged the idea of evolution, and borrowed the term from Geoffroy’s student.
More recently evolutionary biologists have defined evolution as a process that occurs when living organisms develop traits that improve their chances of survival or ability to produce offspring. As time passes the genetic variability could cause the emergence of completely new biological functions or physical traits in the population. Natural selection is the main force behind the most evolutionary changes. Changes that are not genetic, like an increase in muscle mass due to exercise or diet, can't be considered to be evolution since they don't pass on to future generations.
Despite the fact that evolution has stood the test of time and thousands of scientific experiments Creationists have taken advantage of the idea that evolution is controversial and argue that it shouldn't be taught in schools. In South Korea, creationists have gained a few victories in their efforts to eliminate evolution from high school textbooks and have also gotten rid of any references to the evolutionary roots of humans as well as the Archaeopteryx, a feathered dinosaur believed to be an ancestral bird's ancestor.
Why is Evolution important to humanity?
Evolution explains the origins of Earth and all living species. It is also a fundamental part of biology, and aids scientists understand how living organisms work and develop. Evolution also shows the connections between species. Scientists study evolution to better understand the natural world and also to make important discoveries, such as developing new medicines.
The evidence for biological evolution is overwhelming. There is no other scientific theory that explains so much about the universe as well as life on earth and has been rigorously tested and confirmed over many years. Many people, and even religious leaders, are in favor of the scientific theory. It is important 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 convictions. Certain Christians for instance, believe that God created everything through evolution and that humans share an ancestry that is shared with other animals.
It is crucial that scientists and educators speak out for the teaching of evolution. Unfortunately, in some nations around the world, anti-evolution sentiment 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 a campaign for textbooks that cover the evolutionary history of horses and their Avian ancestor Archaeopteryx.
While these are troubling developments, it is important to keep in mind that the evidence for evolution is overwhelming. The evidence comes from a wide range of sources, including 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 behind this support vary. Certain scientists study evolution in order to discover practical solutions for example, such as the development of medicines or developing new medicines, while others are driven by a desire to improve animal and plant species, typically to benefit humans. Some are simply curious, whereas others have a profound faith 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 God's word and should be interpreted in a literal manner. Although not all creationists are Christian but they are a majority. Creationists are typically divided into two categories: Young Earth Creationists (YEC) or old earth creationists.
The most common type of creationist is known as the YEC. They believe that God created the universe in exactly the way described in the Bible. YECs believe that the biblical account of the creation's six days is true, and that the universe and life on Earth was created only recently.
OECs are not as well-known However, they are as passionate about their beliefs as YECs. OECs believe that the universe and life on Earth are billions of years old and that evolution is an untruth.
Both forms of creationism reject the notion that scientific theories such as natural selection and abiogenesis could explain the origin of life on Earth. They argue that evolution is inconceivable because it would require miracles. The pioneers of modern science shunned miracles out of fear they would 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 also referred to as "continuous creationism" or "evolution from the created species." In this view, God creates the original species and allows them to evolve over time. In the end, these evolutionary changes will create new species that are similar to the original ones.
Other creationists believe that God created the universe and all living things in one event, known as the Great Flood. Creationists believe that the first species were all created at the same time, and that they evolved gradually afterward. They also deny the notion of abiogenesis, and argue that the emergence of self-replicating organisms from nonliving matter is impossible.
In general, the creationists oppose teaching evolution at schools. Numerous professional organizations, such as the National Science Teachers Association and the Association for Science Teacher Education endorse this view, as do the American Anthropological Association and the Geological Society of America. However, certain academic institutions and scientists are more flexible, and permit the inclusion of both evolution and creationism in their curriculum.
What is Creationism?
When people think of creationism, many of them think of the United States. South Korea also has an anti-evolution group. why not try here of high-school textbooks announced last week that they would remove references to evolution from 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 campaign. STR has won its first victory by eliminating examples of the evolution of the horse as well as an avian ancestor called the Archeopteryx, from textbooks. It is now focusing on removing excerpts from Darwin's notorious finch research as well as on human evolution, too.
STR claims to have the support of around 4,000 families and individuals. The goal, according to STR, is to rid the world of what it calls "atheist materialism" that paints an image of students as being negative. It also seeks to counter the influence of American creationists who live in the US. A survey of biology students teachers found that about half do not believe in the concept of evolution. The causes are not evident, but they could be due to religious beliefs or the lack of creation scientists in the United States.
The KACR accomplished a number of things through its lectures and seminars 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. It sparked interest in the college community. In 1991, a professor along with a minister, began teaching Creation Science at one university. It is still taught in the present.
On August 6th and 7th of 1993, KACR hosted a second International Symposium on Creation Research. This 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, spoke to an audience of several thousand. KACR and its members have given talks on creation science at major seminaries too. KACR plans to establish a Creation Science Education Center in the near future.