Evolution Korea
In the past the Korean scientific community refrained from engaging with creationists, afraid that doing so could give the movement more credibility. But silence is no anymore 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 aspect of how the development paradigm has evolved.
What is Evolution?
The theory of evolution is a scientific one that explains the change in 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 changes to genes or whole genomes. These changes could over generations lead to the emergence of new species. Natural selection is the most popular theory of evolution. It explains how individuals with traits that are advantageous are more likely to reproduce and survive than those with disadvantageous ones. This differential reproduction can, over time, lead to the development and emergence of new species.
The word "evolution" originates from Latin for revealing or unrolling, has been used in many different ways as the concept has developed in both science and in other fields. Some early evolutionists, like Jean Baptiste de Lamarck and Erasmus Darwin (Charles's grandfather) believed that the existing species transformed into other species in a predetermined fashion. The term transmutation was coined by the Lamarck's disciple, embryologist Etienne Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire, to describe this notion. Charles Lyell, in his Principles of Geology, published in 1833, criticized the idea of evolution and borrowed the term from Geoffroy's student.
Evolutionary biologists define evolution more recently as a process in which living things develop characteristics to improve their chances of surviving or producing offspring. In time, genetic variation can cause a population to acquire new physical characteristics or biological functions. Natural selection is the mechanism that triggers the majority of evolutionary changes. Other changes that aren't genetic, such as an increase in muscle mass due to exercise or diet, cannot be considered evolution because they don't pass on to the next generation.
Creationists have a tendency to use the argument that evolution is controversial, even though it has been proven to be valid by a multitude of scientific tests and that it has been tested over time. They claim that the theory shouldn't be taught at school. In South Korea, creationists won a few victories over evolution in textbooks for high school. This includes the removal of all references about the evolutionary origins for humans as well as Archaeopteryx - a feathered dinosaur which is believed to be the bird's ancestor.
Why is Evolution Important?
Evolution is the explanation for the origins of Earth and all living species. It is one of the fundamentals of biology, and aids scientists to understand how living things function and develop. Evolution also helps us understand the connections between different species. Scientists study evolution to understand the natural world and to make useful discoveries including the development of new treatments.
The evidence for evolution of biological species 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 verified over a long period of time. Many people, including some religious leaders, believe in the theory of evolution as a scientific fact. It is essential to remember that evolutionary biology does not contradict religious beliefs because it only focuses on physical objects, events and processes.
In fact many religious people have discovered ways to reconcile their beliefs with evolutionary theory. For instance, some Christians believe that God created the world through evolution and that humans have an ancestral lineage with other animals.
It is essential that science educators advocate for the teaching of evolution. In some countries around the world, anti-evolution sentiment is growing. In the United States some states have taken steps to limit the teaching evolution. In South Korea, a group known as the Society for Textbook Revise, an offshoot of the Korea Association for Creation Research (KAC) is a campaign for textbooks to include content on the evolutionary history of horses and their Avian ancestor Archaeopteryx.
It is vital to remember, however, that the evidence in favor of evolution is overwhelming. The evidence comes from a diverse 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 believe in the theory of evolution. This support is based on many different reasons. Certain scientists study evolution in order to make practical discoveries, such as developing new medicines, while others do so to improve the lives of animals and plant species, usually for the benefit humans. Some are simply curious, while others have a profound faith in God and seek to know how the universe works.
What is Creationism?
Creationists are those 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 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 the best known form of creationist, and they believe that God created the world in the exact way described in the Bible. YECs hold that the biblical account of six days of creation was true and that the universe as well as life on Earth were created only recently.
OECs are not as well-known however they're just as enthusiastic about their beliefs as YECs. OECs believe the universe and Earth are billions of years old, and that evolution is a lie.
Both types of creationism reject that scientific principles such as biogenesis and natural selection can explain how life started on Earth. They argue that evolution isn't possible because it requires an extraordinary event, and that the scientists who founded modern science shied away from miracles due to fear of losing credibility.
Some creationists are able to accept both naturalistic evolution and special creation, and refer to their view "theistic evolution." This is also referred to as "continuous evolutionism" or the "evolution of species created." The theory suggests that God creates species from scratch and then allows them to change over time. These evolutionary changes will eventually produce new species that are similar to the original.
Other creationists believe that God created the universe and all living things during a single event, referred to as the Great Flood. These creationists hold that all species were created at the same moment and that they gradually evolved. They reject the idea of abiogenesis, and argue that self-replicating living cannot come from nonliving matter.
In general, creationists are against teaching of evolution in schools. This is supported 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. However, certain scientists and educational institutions are more flexible and allow the inclusion of both evolution and creationism in their curriculum.
What exactly is Creationism in Korea?
When people think of creationism most often, they think of the United States. South Korea also has an anti-evolution group. The publishers of high school textbooks have recently announced that they will eliminate references to evolution from their textbooks. The Society for Textbook Revise, an independent organization that is an offshoot from the Korea Association for Creation Research (KACCR), has led this campaign. STR has 에볼루션 바카라사이트 secured its first victory by taking away examples of the evolution of the horse and an avian ancestor, called the Archeopteryx, from textbooks. It is now focusing on removing snippets of Darwin's infamous finch research and on human evolution as well.
STR claims that it has the support of around 4000 families and individuals. Its aim is to root out what it regards as the "atheist materialism" that creates a bleak worldview for students. It also aims to counteract the influence of American creationists in the United States. A survey of trainee biology teachers revealed that around half do not believe in the concept of evolution. The reasons for this aren't entirely clear, but could include religious beliefs or the lack of creation scientists in the US.
The KACR accomplished a number of things through its seminars and lectures in the past. It publishes a bimonthly news magazine, Creation, and has published books. One of them was an educational textbook on natural sciences with a creationist stance. It sparked interest among college communities. In 1991, a professor, together with a minister began teaching Creation Science at one university. It is still taught in the present.
On August 6 and 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 outside the country, including ICR's John Morris and Steven Austin presented to thousands of people. KACR and its members have given lectures on creation science at major seminaries too. KACR is planning to create a Creation Science Education Center.