Evolution Korea
Up until recently the Korean scientific community avoided engaging with creationists for fear of giving the movement more credence. The silence is no longer an option.
The STR has been fighting to get the content on evolution from textbooks, including the discovery that the feathered Archaeopteryx was an ancestor bird. However, this is just one aspect of the evolution of the developmental paradigm.
What is Evolution?
The theory of evolution is a scientific one that explains the evolution of genetic characteristics of living organisms over time. The theory is based on the fact that living organisms adapt to their environments and this can lead to changes in genes, or even entire genomes. These changes can over many generations lead to the emergence of new species. The most popular theory of evolution is known as natural selection, which describes the process that allows individuals with advantageous characteristics survive and reproduce more frequently than those with less favorable characteristics. This differing reproduction may be a catalyst to the development and emergence of new species.
The word "evolution" originates from the Latin word meaning unrolling or revealing, but the concept has had a variety of meanings over the years as it has taken form in the sciences and in other fields. Early evolutionists like Erasmus Darwin (Charles’s grandfather) and Jean Baptiste de Lamarck believed that species were predestined to evolve into a different species. Etienne Geoffroy St-Hilaire was Lamarck's embryologist student who coined the term "transmutation" to describe this view. Charles Lyell, in his Principles of Geology, published in 1833, attacked the idea of evolution, and borrowed the term from Geoffroy's student.
Evolutionary biologists define it more recently as a process in which living creatures develop traits that increase their chances of survival or producing offspring. In time, genetic variation can cause a population to develop new physical traits or biological functions. This variation in gene frequencies is known as natural selection and it is the main driver of evolutionary changes. Other changes that aren't genetic, such as an increase in muscle mass through exercise or diet, cannot be considered to be evolution since they aren't passed down to future generations.
Creationists are using the argument that evolution is controversial in spite of the fact that it has been proven to be accurate by thousands of scientific tests and it has been tested over time. They argue that the concept should not be taught in schools. In South Korea, creationists have won a few victories in their campaign to exclude evolution from high-school textbooks which includes the removal of any references to the evolutionary roots of humans, as well as the Archaeopteryx feathered dinosaur believed to be the ancestor of birds.
Why is Evolution Important for Humanity?
Evolution explains how Earth and all living species evolved. It is also a fundamental part of biology that helps scientists to learn how living organisms function and grow. Evolution also demonstrates how different species are interconnected. Scientists study evolution in order to better comprehend nature and make important discoveries such as new treatments.
The evidence for evolution of biological species is overwhelming. There is no other scientific theory that explains so many aspects of the universe and life on this planet and has been rigorously tested and confirmed over a long period of time. Many people, and even religious leaders, are in favor of the scientific theory. It is important to remember that evolutionary biology isn't in conflict with religious beliefs as it only deals with physical objects, events and processes.
Many religious people have discovered a way to reconcile evolution with their beliefs. Some Christians for instance believe that God created everything through evolution, and that humans share an ancestral connection to other animals.
It is crucial for scientists to advocate for the teaching of evolution. Unfortunately, in some countries around the world there is a growing anti-evolutionist sentiment. In the United States some states have taken steps to limit teaching of evolution. In South Korea, a group called the Society for Textbook Revise, an offshoot from the Korea Association for Creation Research (KAC) is pushing for textbooks to include content on the evolutionary history of horses and their ancestral avian species Archaeopteryx.
It is crucial to keep in mind, however, that the evidence in support of evolution is overwhelming. The evidence for evolution comes from a variety of sources, including fossils, genetics, and even the behavior of living creatures. Other scientists independently confirm the evidence.
The majority of scientists agree with the theory of evolution. This belief is based on various reasons. Some scientists study evolution in order to make practical discoveries such as the development of new medicines or enhancing existing ones. Others do this to improve the lives of animals and plant species, mostly to benefit humans. Some scientists are just curious, whereas others have an intense belief 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. While some creationists are not Christian however, they are a majority. Creationists are generally 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 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 only created recently.
OECs might not be as known However, their beliefs are just as passionate as those of YECs. OECs believe that the universe and all life on Earth are billions of years old, and they believe that evolution is an untruth.
Both forms of creationism deny that scientific principles 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 an extraordinary event, and that the scientists who founded modern science eschewed miracles for fear of losing credibility.
Some creationists accept naturalistic evolutionary and special creation. They consider their views to be "theistic evolution." This is also referred to as "continuous evolutionism" or the "evolution of species created." This theory states that God creates species from scratch and then allows them to change over time. These evolution changes will eventually result in new species that are similar to the original.
Some creationists believe that God created all living things and the universe in a single event called the Great Flood. They believe that all species were created at the same time and that they gradually evolved. They also deny the notion of abiogenesis, and argue that the emergence of self-replicating organisms from nonliving matter is unattainable.
In general, creationists are against teaching evolution in schools. This position is supported 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, certain researchers and educational institutions are more flexible, and allow for the inclusion of creationism and evolution in their curriculum.
What is Creationism in Korea?
When people think of creationism, they often think of the United States. However, South Korea is also the home of an anti-evolutionist movement. 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 drive. STR has secured its first victory in taking away instances of the evolution of the horse as well as an avian ancestor, the Archeopteryx in textbooks. The next goal is to eliminate excerpts from Darwin’s infamous finch-research as well as on human evolution.
STR claims that it has the support of 4,000 families and individuals. Its goal is to weed out what it regards as the "atheist materialism" that creates a bleak worldview for students. It also seeks to counter the influence of American Creationists in the United States. A survey of undergraduates studying biology revealed that a majority of them didn't believe in evolution. The reasons for this are not clear however, they could be related to religious beliefs or the absence of full-time creation scientists across the country.
The KACR has achieved many things in the past through lectures and seminar events. It publishes a bimonthly journal called Creation and an ebook. One of them was a textbook on natural science that had a creationist perspective. This led to an interest in the college community. In 1991 an academic and minister started teaching Creation 에볼루션 슬롯게임 Science in one university and it continues to be taught to this day.
On August 6 and 7, 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 the world, including ICR's John Morris, Duane Gish, and Steven Austin spoke to audiences of over a thousand. KACR and its members have given talks on creation science at major seminaries as well. KACR intends to establish a Creation Science Education Center.