The Complete Guide To Evolution Korea
Evolution KoreaIn the past, the Korean scientific community was hesitant about working with creationists due to the fear of giving the movement more credibility. But silence is no longer an option.
The STR has been fighting to get evolution-related content from textbooks, including the discovery that the feathered Archaeopteryx was an ancestor bird. This is only one example of how the concept of development has changed.
What is Evolution?
Evolution is a theory of science that explains the changes in the genetic characteristics of living organisms over time. The theory is based on the fact that living organisms adjust to their environment, which could result in variations in genes or entire genomes. Over many generations these changes could result in the emergence of new species. Natural selection is the most popular theory of evolution. It explains how people with advantageous traits are more likely to reproduce and survive than those with disadvantageous ones. This differing reproduction may eventually lead to the creation and evolution of new species.
The word "evolution" is derived from the Latin for revealing or unrolling has been used in many different ways as the concept has evolved in both science and elsewhere. Early evolutionists, such as Jean Baptiste de Lamarck and Erasmus Darwin (Charles's grandfather) believed that the existing species evolved into new species in a planned manner. Etienne Geoffroy St-Hilaire was Lamarck's embryologist student who came up with the term "transmutation" to describe this idea. 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 view that species are evolving into different species in a gradual and predictable way.
In recent years evolutionary biologists have defined evolution as a process that occurs when living things develop characteristics that improve their chances of survival or the ability to reproduce offspring. In time this genetic variation can cause the emergence of entirely new biological functions or physical traits in a population. The variation in gene frequencies is called natural selection, and is the primary driver behind evolutionary changes. However, non-genetic changes such as the increase in muscle mass from diet or exercise cannot be considered examples of evolution because they are not inherited by future generations.
Creationists are using the argument that evolution is controversial, in spite of the fact that it has been proven accurate by thousands of scientific tests and it has stood the test of time. They claim that the concept should not be taught at school. In South Korea, creationists have won a few victories in their fight to remove evolution from textbooks for high school and have also gotten rid of any references to the evolutionary origins of humans, as well as the Archaeopteryx feathered dinosaur believed to be an ancestor of birds.
Why is Evolution Important to Humanity?
Evolution explains how the Earth and all its living species evolved. It also serves as a basis of biology, and aids scientists to learn how living organisms function and grow. Evolution also helps us understand the connections between species. Scientists study evolution to better comprehend nature and make valuable discoveries such as new drugs.
The evidence for evolution is overwhelming. There is no other scientific theory that can explain so many aspects of the universe and life on this planet, and it has been rigorously tested and confirmed over a long period of time. Many people, including religious leaders, are in support of the scientific theory. It is important to understand that evolutionary biology doesn't conflict with religious beliefs, as the theory only deals with processes, objects, and events within the physical world.
In reality, 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 share an ancestry that is shared with other animals.
It is important for scientists to support the teaching of evolution. In certain countries, anti-evolution sentiment is growing. In the United States, efforts to restrict the teaching of evolution have made progress in some states. In South Korea, a group called the Society for Textbook Revise (STR) which is an offshoot from the Korea Association for Creation Research, is campaigning for the removal of textbooks on the evolution of horses and the avian ancestor Archaeopteryx.
It is important to remember, however, that the evidence in support of evolution is overwhelming. The evidence comes from a wide variety of sources, including fossils, genetic studies and the behavior of living organisms. Other scientists independently confirm the evidence.
The vast majority of scientists support the theory of evolution. This belief is based on a variety of reasons. Some scientists study evolution to make practical discoveries that can lead to the development of new treatments, while others are motivated by an interest in improving the quality of life for animals and plant species, generally for the benefit of humans. Some are simply curious, and still others have a deep religious belief in God and are seeking to know how the universe works.
What is Creationism?
Creationists are people who believe that God created the universe and all that is in it. They also believe the Bible is God's word and should be interpreted in a literal manner. Many creationists are Christians However, not all. Creationists are usually divided into two categories: Young Earth Creationists (YEC) or old earth creationists.
YECs are the most well known type of creationist and they believe that God created the universe in the exact way described in the Bible. YECs believe that the biblical account of the creation's six days is literal and that the universe and the life on Earth was created only recently.
OECs may be less well-known however their beliefs are just as passionate like those of YECs. OECs believe that the universe as well as Earth are billions-of-years old and believe that evolution is a lie.
Both kinds of creationism deny the idea that scientific principles like biogenesis and natural selection can explain how life started on Earth. They claim that evolution isn't possible because it requires an extraordinary event, and that the founders of modern science rejected miracles out of fear that they would lose credibility.
Some creationists are able to 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 created kinds." The theory says that God creates species from scratch and allows them to evolve over time. Eventually the evolutionary changes produce new species that are like the original ones.
Other creationists hold that God created the universe and all living things during a single event, called the Great Flood. These creationists believe that the original species were all created simultaneously, and that they evolved slowly afterward. They also reject the idea of abiogenesis, and argue that the self-replicating creation of organisms from nonliving matter is not possible.
In general, the creationists oppose 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, the American Anthropological Association, and the Geological Society of America. However, some researchers and educational institutions are more flexible and permit the inclusion of creationism and evolution in their curricula.
What is Creationism in Korea?
When people think of the concept of creationism most often, they think of the United States. However, South Korea is also home to an anti-evolution movement. The publishers of high school textbooks have recently announced that they will remove references to evolution from their books. A group called the Society for Textbook Revise (STR), an independent body that is an offshoot of the Korea Association for Creation Research, has led the drive. STR has won its first victory by eliminating instances of the evolution of the horse as well as an avian ancestor, called the Archeopteryx in textbooks. The next goal is to remove portions of Darwin's notorious finch-research as well as on human evolution.
STR claims to have the support of 4000 families and individuals. Its goal, it says, is to rid the world of what it calls "atheist materialism" that paints an unflattering image for students. It also aims to counteract the influence of American creationists who live in the US. A survey of trainee biology teachers found that about half do not believe in the concept of evolution. The reasons for this aren't entirely clear, but could include religion or the absence of creation scientists in the country.
The KACR has achieved a number of things in the past through seminars and lectures. It publishes 에볼루션코리아 a bimonthly journal called Creation and an ebook. One of them was a textbook on natural sciences with a cosmological perspective. This led to an interest in college communities. In 1991, a professor and minister started teaching Creation Science in one university, and it continues to be taught until today.
On August 6-7 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 the world, including ICR's John Morris, Duane Gish and Steven Austin spoke to audiences of several thousand. KACR and its members have given lectures on creation science in major seminaries as well. KACR intends to establish a Creation Science Education Center.