Evolution Korea
Until recently, Korea's scientific community has been hesitant to engage with the creationists, fearing that doing so could increase the credibility of the movement. But silence is no longer an option.
The STR has been campaigning to eliminate content from textbooks that describe evolution, including the discovery of the feathered dinosaur Archaeopteryx as an ancestral bird's ancestor. But this is merely one aspect of the evolution of the development paradigm.
What is Evolution?
Evolution is a theory of science that explains the evolution of genetic characteristics over time. The theory is based upon the fact that living organisms adapt to their environment, which can result in variations in genes or whole genomes. These changes could over generations lead to the emergence of new species. Natural selection is the dominant theory of evolution. It explains how individuals with advantageous traits survive and reproduce more than those with less advantageous traits. In time, this disparity in reproduction could lead to the emergence of entirely new species.
The term "evolution", which comes from Latin for revealing or unrolling has been used in a variety of different ways as the concept has developed, both in science and elsewhere. Some early evolutionists, like Jean Baptiste de Lamarck and Erasmus Darwin (Charles's grandfather), believed that existing species evolved into new species in a certain way. Etienne Geoffroy St-Hilaire was Lamarck's embryologist disciple who invented the term "transmutation" 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 a gradual and predictable way.
Evolutionary biologists define evolution more recently as a process in which living creatures develop traits to increase their chances of living or conceiving offspring. As time passes this genetic variation can cause the emergence of entirely new physical or biological traits in the population. Natural selection is the main force behind the majority of 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 don't pass on to the next generation.
Creationists make the argument that evolution is controversial even though it has been proven valid by a multitude of scientific tests and that it has stood the test of time. They argue that the concept should not be taught in schools. In South Korea, creationists won some victories against evolution in textbooks for high school. This includes the removal of references about the evolutionary origins for humans and Archaeopteryx - a feathered dino that is believed to be the bird's ancestor.
Why is Evolution important to humanity?
Evolution explains how the Earth and all its living species came to be. It is also one of the pillars of biology, and aids scientists understand how living things work and develop. Evolution also reveals the relationships between species. Scientists study evolution to better comprehend nature and make valuable discoveries such as new medicines.
The evidence for evolution is overwhelming. There is no other scientific theory that can explain so much about the universe as well as life on earth and has been rigorously tested and verified over a long period of time. Many people, including religious leaders, are in favor of the scientific theory. It is important to understand that evolutionary biology doesn't conflict with religious beliefs, since the theory is based on things, events and processes 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 instance, believe that God created everything through evolution and that humans share a common ancestry to other animals.
It is essential that scientists and educators speak out for teaching evolution. In some countries around the globe, anti-evolution sentiment is growing. In the United States some states have taken steps to limit teaching of evolution. In South Korea, a group known as the Society for Textbook Revise (STR) which is an offshoot of the Korea Association for Creation Research is pushing for the removal of textbook content about the evolution of horses and the bird ancestor Archaeopteryx.
While these are disturbing developments, it is important to remember 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 majority of scientists agree with the theory of evolution. The reasons for this support are diverse. Some scientists study evolution to discover practical solutions for example, such as the development of medications or developing new medicines, while others are driven by an interest in improving the quality of life for animals and plant species, generally for the benefit of humans. Some scientists are simply curious, whereas others have an intense faith in God.
What is Creationism?
Creationists believe that God created all things in the universe. They also believe that the Bible is the word of God and should be taken literally. Many creationists are Christians however, not all. Creationists are usually divided into two categories: Young Earth Creationists (YEC) or old earth creationists.
The YECs are perhaps the most well known type of creationist and they believe that God created the world exactly as described in the Bible. They believe that the biblical account of the first six days of creation is literal and that the universe as well as life on Earth were created only recently.
OECs are not as well-known however they are just as passionate about their beliefs as YECs. OECs believe that the universe as well as Earth are billions-of-years old and believe that evolution is a lie.
Both forms of creationism reject the notion that scientific theories such as natural selection and abiogenesis are able to explain the origins of life on Earth. They argue that evolution is not possible because it would require miracles. The founders of modern scientific thought shunned miracles out of fear they could lose their credibility.
Some creationists accept naturalistic evolution as well as special creation, and refer to their position "theistic evolution." This is also known as "continuous evolutionism" or the "evolution of species created." In this view, God creates the original species and allows them to evolve over time. These evolutionary changes will eventually produce new species that are similar to the original.
Some creationists believe that God created all living things and the entire universe in one event known as the Great Flood. They believe that all the species of the beginning were created at the same moment and then slowly evolved. They also reject the idea of abiogenesis and claim that the emergence of self-replicating organisms from nonliving matter is unattainable.
In general, the creationists oppose the teaching of evolution at schools. This is a position that is backed by a myriad of professional associations which include the National Science Teachers Association, the Association for Science Teacher Education and the American Anthropological Association, and the Geological Society of America. However, certain researchers and educational institutions are more flexible and permit the inclusion of both evolution and creationism in their curriculum.
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-evolutionist group. Publishers of high-school textbooks announced last week that they would remove the mention of evolution in their textbooks. The Society for Textbook Revise, an independent body that is an offshoot from the Korea Association for Creation Research (KACCR) has been the driving force behind this drive. The STR has scored its first victory by removing from textbooks the evidence of the evolution and ancestor of an bird, the Archeopteryx. The focus is now on removing snippets of Darwin's infamous finch research and on human evolution as well.
STR claims to have the support of around 4,000 families and individuals. Its mission, it states is to cleanse the world of what it calls "atheist materialism" which portrays a negative view for students. It also aims to counteract the influence of American creationists in the United States. A survey of biology students teachers found that about half do not believe in evolution. The reasons aren't certain, but could be related to religion or the absence of creation scientists in the country.
mouse click the up coming post has achieved many things in the past through seminars and lectures. It publishes a bimonthly journal called Creation and an ebook. Among these is a textbook on the natural sciences, with an orthodox creationist perspective, which sparked interest in college communities. In 1991, a professor and minister started teaching Creation Science in one university, and it is taught until today.
On August 6-7 the 7th of August 1993, which coincided with 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 presented to a crowd of more than a thousand. KACR members and KACR have also presented lectures on creation science in major seminaries. KACR plans to establish a Creation Science Education Center.