Evolution Korea
For a long time, Korea's scientific community has avoided engaging with creationists, afraid that it could increase the credibility of the movement. The silence is no longer a viable 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 just one aspect of how the concept of development has changed.
What is Evolution?
Evolution is a theory of science that explains changes in genetic traits over time. The theory is based on the fact that living organisms adapt to their environment, which can cause variations in genes or even complete genomes. Over the course of many generations the changes could result in the creation of new species. The predominant theory of evolution is called natural selection, which describes the process through which people with advantages survive and reproduce more frequently than those with disadvantages. This differing reproduction may be a catalyst to the emergence and evolution of new species.
The term "evolution" is derived from the Latin for revealing or unrolling has been used in a variety of different ways as the concept has developed in both science as well as elsewhere. Some early evolutionists, including Jean Baptiste de Lamarck and Erasmus Darwin (Charles's grandfather) believed that the existing species transformed into other species in a predetermined fashion. Etienne Geoffroy St-Hilaire was Lamarck's embryologist disciple who coined the term "transmutation" to describe this theory. Charles Lyell, who published the second volume of his Principles of Geology in 1833, attacked this idea and borrowed the term "evolution" from Geoffroy's student to describe the notion that existing species change into different species in a gradual and predictable way.
Evolutionary biologists define it more recently as a process by which living creatures develop traits that increase their chances of surviving or conceiving offspring. Over time this genetic variation can lead to the emergence of completely new biological functions or physical traits in the same population. Such a change in gene frequencies is called natural selection, and it is the main driver of evolutionary change. However non-genetic changes like the growth in muscle mass from diet or exercise can't be considered to be examples of evolution since they are not inherited by the next generation.
Despite the fact that evolution has withstood the test of time and a multitude of scientific studies Creationists have taken advantage of the notion that the theory is controversial and claim that it shouldn't be taught in school. In South Korea, creationists won a few victories over evolution in high school textbooks. This includes the removal of all references to the evolutionary roots of humans as well as Archaeopteryx - a feathered dinosaur believed to be the ancestor of birds.
Why is Evolution important to humanity?
Evolution explains the origins and evolution of Earth and all living species. It is also one of the foundations of biology and helps scientists understand how living things work and grow. Evolution also reveals the relationships between species. Scientists study evolution in order to better comprehend nature and make valuable discoveries such as new medicines.
The evidence for evolution is overwhelming. No other scientific theory explains as much about the universe and life on earth. It has been rigorously scrutinized and confirmed for a number of years. Many people, including religious leaders, are in favor of the scientific theory. It is important to remember that evolutionary biology doesn't conflict with religious beliefs, as the theory deals only with processes, objects, and events in the physical world.
In reality, many religious people have come up with ways to reconcile their beliefs with the theory of evolution. Some Christians, for example, believe that God created everything through evolution and that humans share a common ancestry to other animals.
It is essential for science educators to advocate for the teaching of evolution. In some countries around the globe there is a growing anti-evolutionist sentiment. In the United States, efforts to limit the teaching of evolution have made progress in a few states. In South Korea, a group called the Society for Textbook Revise (STR), an offshoot of the Korea Association for Creation Research is urging the removal of textbook content on the evolution of horses as well as the avian ancestor Archaeopteryx.
It is vital to remember, however, that the evidence in favor of evolution is overwhelming. The evidence comes from a diverse variety 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 supports the theory of evolution. This support is based on many different reasons. Certain scientists study evolution in order to discover practical solutions such as the development of new medicines or enhancing existing ones. Others do this to improve animal and plants species, typically to benefit humans. Some scientists are simply curious, while others have an intense faith in God.
What is Creationism?
Creationists are those who believe that God created the universe and everything within it. They also believe that the Bible is the word of God and should be taken literally. Many creationists are Christians, but not all. Creationists are typically divided into two categories: 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 exactly as described in the Bible. YECs hold that the biblical account of the first six days of creation was true and that the universe and the life on Earth were only created recently.
OECs are less well known However, they're just as committed to their beliefs as YECs. OECs believe the universe and Earth are billions of years old and believe that evolution is a myth.
Both kinds of creationism deny that scientific principles such as biogenesis and natural selection can explain how life began on Earth. They claim that evolution is 에볼루션 룰렛 not possible because it would require a miracle, and that the scientists who founded modern science rejected miracles out of fear of losing credibility.
Some creationists believe in both naturalistic evolution and special creation, and refer to their belief "theistic evolution." This is also referred to as "continuous evolutionism" or the "evolution of the created species." The theory suggests that God creates species from scratch and allows them to change over time. Eventually, these evolutionary changes will produce new species that are similar to the original ones.
Some creationists believe that God created all living things and the entire universe in one event called the Great Flood. These creationists hold that all the original species were created at the same time and then gradually evolved. They also deny the notion of abiogenesis, and argue that the creation of self-replicating organisms from nonliving matter is unattainable.
In general, the creationists oppose teaching evolution in schools. Numerous professional organizations, such as 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. Certain scientists and educational institutions are however more flexible and allow both creationism and evolution to be included in their curricula.
What is Creationism in Korea?
When people think about the concept of creationism, a lot think of the United States. South Korea also has an anti-evolution group. The publishers of textbooks for high school students have recently announced that they will remove references to evolution from their editions. 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 secured its first victory in removing examples of the evolution of the horse and an avian ancestor, called the Archeopteryx, from textbooks. The focus is now on the removal of excerpts from Darwin's infamous finch research and on human evolution as well.
STR claims to have the support of 4,000 families and individuals. Its mission is to cut out what it sees 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 trainees in biology found that half did not believe in evolution. The reasons for this aren't entirely clear, but could include religious beliefs or the lack of creation scientists in the country.
The KACR has accomplished a lot through its lectures and seminar events. It publishes a bimonthly magazine, Creation, and has published books. The most notable of these is a text on the natural sciences that has an orthodox creationist perspective, which has sparked interest among college students. In 1991, a professor, along with a minister began teaching Creation Science at one university. It is still taught to students today.
On August 7 and 8 in 1993, the same day that the World Expo opened in Daejeon, KACR held a second International Symposium on Creation Research. Six lecturers from abroad including ICR's John Morris and Steven Austin, spoke to a crowd of more than a thousand. KACR members and KACR have also presented lectures on creation science in prestigious seminaries. KACR plans to establish a Creation Science Education Center.