Evolution Korea
In the past the scientific community in Korea has avoided engaging with creationists, afraid that it could boost the credibility of the group. The silence is no longer an alternative.
The STR has been fighting to remove information about evolution from textbooks including the discovery that the feathered Archaeopteryx was an ancestral bird. This is only one aspect of how the development paradigm has evolved.
What is Evolution?
Evolution is a theory of science that explains the evolution of genetic traits over time. The theory is based on fact that living organisms adapt to their surroundings which can result in changes in genes, or even entire genomes. These changes can over many generations lead to the emergence of new species. The predominant theory of evolution is called natural selection, which describes the process through which people with advantages 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 revealing or unrolling has been used in many different ways as the concept has evolved in both science as well as elsewhere. Some early evolutionists, including Jean Baptiste de Lamarck and Erasmus Darwin (Charles's grandfather), believed that existing species changed into other species in a planned manner. The term"transmutation" was coined by Lamarck's student embryologist Etienne Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire to describe this view. 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 view that existing species evolve into new species in a gradual and predictable manner.
Recently evolutionary biologists have defined evolution as a process that occurs when living creatures develop characteristics that increase their chances of survival or the ability to produce offspring. In time this genetic variation can cause the emergence of entirely new physical or biological functions in the population. Natural selection is the main force behind most evolutionary changes. Changes that are not genetic, like an increase in muscle mass from exercise or diet, cannot be considered evolution because they don't pass on to future generations.
Despite the fact that evolution has stood the tests of time and thousands of scientific experiments, creationists have seized on the idea that the theory is controversial and argue that it shouldn't be taught in schools. In South Korea, creationists won a few victories over evolution in textbooks for high schools. This includes the removal of all references to the evolutionary roots of humans and Archaeopteryx - a feathered dino which is believed to be the bird's ancestor.
Why is Evolution Important to Humanity?
Evolution explains the origins of Earth and all living species. It is also one of the pillars of biology, and aids scientists discover how living things operate and grow. Evolution also shows the connections between species. 에볼루션사이트 to understand the natural world and to discover useful information, such as developing new medicines.
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 thoroughly tested and confirmed over the course of many years. Many people, even some 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 objects, events and processes within the physical world.
Many religious people have discovered a way to reconcile evolution with their beliefs. For instance certain Christians believe that God created the world through evolution, and that humans share an ancestral lineage with other animals.
It is important that scientists and educators speak out for the teaching evolution. In certain countries, the opposition to evolution is growing. In the United States, efforts to limit the teaching of evolution have made some headway in a few states. In South Korea, a group known as the Society for Textbook Revise, an offshoot from the Korea Association for Creation Research (KAC), is campaigning for textbooks that cover the evolution of horses and their avian ancestor Archaeopteryx.
It is crucial to keep in mind, however, that the evidence in support of evolution is overwhelming. The evidence for evolution is based on a variety of sources, including fossils, genetics, and the behavior of living creatures. Other scientists independently verify the evidence.
The vast majority of scientists support the theory of evolution. The reason for this is many different reasons. Certain scientists study evolution in order to make practical discoveries, such as developing new drugs and other treatments, while others use it to improve animal and plants species, typically to benefit of humans. Some scientists are simply curious, while others have a strong religious belief in God.
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 believed to be true. While not all creationists are Christian but many are. 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 exactly as described in the Bible. They believe that the biblical account of the creation's six days is literal, and that the universe and the life on Earth began only recently.
OECs might not be as well-known, but their beliefs are just as passionate as those of YECs. OECs believe the universe and Earth are billions-of-years old and believe that evolution is a myth.
Both types of creationism deny that scientific principles like natural selection and abiogenesis could explain the origins of life on Earth. They argue that evolution isn't possible because it requires a miracle, and that the founders of modern science rejected miracles out of fear of losing credibility.
Some creationists accept naturalistic evolution and special creation, and call their view “theistic evolution.” It is sometimes known as "continuous creationism" or "evolution from created kinds." This theory states that God creates original species and then allows these 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 known as the Great Flood. These creationists hold that all the original species were created at the same time and that they gradually evolved. They reject the concept of abiogenesis and claim that self-replicating life cannot arise from non-living matter.
In general, the creationists oppose teaching evolution in schools. Numerous professional organizations like the National Science Teachers Association and the Association for Science Teacher Education support this position, as do the American Anthropological Association and the Geological Society of America. However, certain scientists and educational institutions are more flexible and allow the inclusion of creationism and evolution in their curriculum.
What is Creationism?
When people think of creationism, many of them think of the United States. However, South Korea is also the home of an anti-evolutionist movement. 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 body which is an offshoot of the Korea Association for Creation Research (KACCR) has been the driving force behind this drive. STR has secured its first victory in eliminating instances of the evolution of the horse as well as an avian ancestor called the Archeopteryx, from textbooks. The focus is now on removing excerpts from Darwin's infamous finch research and on human evolution as well.
STR claims that it has the backing of 4,000 families and individual members. Its goal is to weed out what it sees as the "atheist materialism" that reflects a hopeless worldview for students. It also seeks to counter the influence of American creationists in the country. A survey of the newest biology teachers found that about half do not believe in evolution. The causes aren't clear but could be due to religious beliefs or the absence of full-time creation scientists across the United States.
The KACR has accomplished a lot through its seminars and lectures. It also publishes a bimonthly magazine called Creation and a book. One of them is a textbook on the natural sciences that has a creationist viewpoint, which has sparked interest among college students. In 1991, a professor together with a minister began teaching Creation Science at one university. It is still taught to students today.
On August 6-7 1993, KACR hosted a second International Symposium on Creation Research. It 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 been delivering lectures on creation science in major seminaries as well. KACR plans to establish a Creation Science Education Center in the near future.