Evolution Korea
In the past, the Korean scientific community resisted 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 rid of textbooks that discuss evolution, including the discovery of the feathered dinosaur Archaeopteryx as an ancestral bird's ancestor. This is just one aspect of how the development paradigm has changed.
What is Evolution?
Evolution is a theory of science that explains the change in genetic characteristics of living organisms over time. The theory is based on the fact that living organisms adapt to their surroundings, which can cause variations in genes or even whole genomes. Over many generations the changes could lead to the emergence new species. The prevailing theory of evolution is natural selection, which describes the process through which individuals with advantageous characteristics survive and reproduce more often than those with less favorable characteristics. Over time, this differential reproduction can lead to the emergence of completely new species.
The term "evolution" originates from Latin for unrolling or revealing has been used in a variety of different ways as the concept has developed, both in science and elsewhere. Early evolutionists, such as Jean Baptiste de Lamarck and Erasmus Darwin (Charles's grandfather) believed that the existing species changed into other species in a certain way. The term transmutation was coined by Lamarck's disciple embryologist Etienne Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire, to describe this idea. Charles Lyell, who published the second volume of his Principles of Geology in 1833 opposed this notion and borrowed the term "evolution" from Geoffroy's student to describe the view that existing species change into other species in a gradual and predictable way.
In recent years evolutionary biologists have defined evolution as a process when living creatures develop characteristics that enhance their chances of survival, or their ability to reproduce 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. Changes that are not genetic, like an increase in muscle mass due to exercise or diet, can't be considered to be evolution since they don't pass on to the next generation.
Creationists make the argument that evolution is controversial, in spite of the fact that it has been proven valid by a multitude of scientific tests and it has stood the test of time. They argue that the concept should not be taught at school. In South Korea, creationists have gained a few victories in their campaign to exclude evolution from high school textbooks, including the removal of any mention of the evolutionary roots of humans and the Archaeopteryx, a feathered dinosaur thought to be the ancestral bird's ancestor.
Why is Evolution Important?
Evolution is the explanation for the origins of Earth and all living species. It is also a foundation of biology and helps scientists to comprehend how living organisms operate and develop. Evolution also shows the connections between different species. Scientists study evolution in order to better comprehend nature and make valuable discoveries, such as the development of new drugs.
The evidence for biological evolution is overwhelming. Suggested Studying can explain more about the universe and life on earth. It has been thoroughly studied and verified for many years. Many people, and even religious leaders, are in favor of the scientific theory. It is important to remember that evolutionary biology isn't in contradict religious beliefs because it only deals with physical objects, events and processes.
In fact, many religious people have found ways to reconcile their beliefs with evolution. Certain Christians, for example, believe that God created everything through evolution and that humans have an ancestry that is shared with other animals.
It is essential for science educators to advocate for the teaching of evolution. In some nations around the world, anti-evolution sentiment is growing. In the United States, efforts to limit the teaching of evolution have made some progress in a few states. In South Korea, a group known as the Society for Textbook Revise (STR) which is an offshoot from the Korea Association for Creation Research, is campaigning for the removal of textbook content on the evolution of horses and the Avian ancestor Archaeopteryx.
It is important to remember that the evidence in favor of evolution is overwhelming. The evidence comes from a broad 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 agree with the theory of evolution. The reason for this is many different reasons. Certain scientists are studying evolution to make practical discoveries such as developing new medicines or enhancing existing ones. Others do this to improve animal and plants species, usually for the benefit of humans. Some are simply curious, and others have a deep religious belief in God and want to understand how the universe functions.
What is Creationism?
Creationists are people 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 seriously. Many creationists are Christians however, not all. Creationists generally fall in one of two categories: Young Earth creationists (YEC) and old earth creationists (OEC).
The most well-known type of creationist is the YEC. They believe that God created the universe in exactly the way described in the Bible. YECs hold that the biblical account of six days of creation is literal and that the universe as well as life on Earth were created just recently.
OECs are less well known however they are 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 types of creationism reject the scientific theories that 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 rejected miracles out of fear that they would lose credibility.
Some creationists are able to accept both naturalistic evolution and special creation, and refer to their view "theistic evolution." This is also known as "continuous evolutionism" or the "evolution of created kinds." In this view, God creates the original species and then allows them to change over time. These evolutionary changes eventually will result in new species similar to the original.
Some creationists believe that God created all living things and the entire universe in one event called the Great Flood. Creationists believe that the original species were all created simultaneously, and that they grew slowly afterwards. They reject the idea of abiogenesis and claim that self-replicating life can't come from nonliving matter.
In general, the creationists are opposed to the teaching of evolution in schools. Numerous professional organizations, like the National Science Teachers Association and the Association for Science Teacher Education endorse this view and so do the American Anthropological Association and the Geological Society of America. Some scientists and educational institutions are however more flexible and permit both creationism and evolution to be incorporated into their curricula.
What is Creationism?
When people think of creationism, many of them think of the United States. However, South Korea is also home to an anti-evolution movement. The publishers of high school textbooks announced last week that they will remove references to evolution in their textbooks. A group known as the Society for Textbook Revise (STR) is an independent organization that is an offshoot of the Korea Association for Creation Research, has led the drive. STR has achieved its first victory by eliminating instances of the evolution of the horse as well as an avian ancestor called the Archeopteryx from textbooks. The next step is to take out the finch-research of Darwin's famed and also on human evolution.
STR claims to have the support of around 4000 families and individuals. Its mission is to cut out what it regards as the "atheist materialism" that paints an unhopeful worldview for students. It also hopes to combat the influence of American Creationists in the nation. A survey of trainee biology teachers revealed that a majority do not believe in evolution. The reasons for this are not clear but could be due to religious beliefs and the lack of full-time creation scientists in the country.
The KACR has achieved many things through its seminars and lectures. It also publishes a bimonthly magazine called Creation and an ebook. One of these was a textbook on natural science that had a creationist perspective. This led to an interest in college communities. In 1991 the year 1991, a minister and professor 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. This was held in conjunction with the opening of the World Expo in Daejeon. Six lecturers from around the world including ICR's John Morris, Duane Gish and Steven Austin spoke to audiences of over a thousand. KACR members and KACR have also given lectures on the subject of creation science at major seminaries. KACR plans to establish a Creation Science Education Center in the future.