Evolution Korea
Up until recently the Korean scientific community was hesitant about working with creationists due to the fear of giving the movement more credence. But silence is no anymore an option.
The STR has been fighting to remove content from textbooks that explain evolution, such as the discovery of the feathered dinosaur Archaeopteryx as an ancestor of birds. This is only one example of the way in which the development paradigm has evolved.
What is Evolution?
Evolution is a concept in science that explains the evolution of genetic traits over time. The theory is based on the fact that living things adapt to their surroundings and this can lead to changes in genes or even whole genomes. Over many generations, these changes can result in the creation of new species. Natural selection is the dominant theory of evolution. It explains how individuals who have advantages survive and reproduce more than those with less favorable traits. This variation in reproduction could eventually lead to the creation and evolution of new species.
The term "evolution" is derived from the Latin word for unrolling or revealing, but the concept itself has a myriad of meanings since it took form in the sciences and in other fields. Early evolutionists such as Erasmus Darwin (Charles’s grandfather) and Jean Baptiste de Lamarck believed that species were predestined to change into another species. The term transmutation was coined by Lamarck's disciple, 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 idea that species are evolving into different species in a gradual and predictable way.
Evolutionary biologists define it more recently as a process in which living creatures develop traits to increase their chances of survival or producing offspring. In time, genetic variation can cause a population to acquire new physical traits or biological functions. Natural selection is the process that drives the majority of evolutionary changes. However, non-genetic changes such as increases in muscle mass due to diet or exercise can't be considered to be examples of evolution since they're not inherited by future generations.
Despite the fact that evolution has stood the test of time and a multitude of scientific studies however, creationists have taken advantage of the notion that the theory is controversial to argue that it shouldn't be taught in school. In South Korea, creationists have gained a few victories in their fight to remove evolution from textbooks for high school which includes the removal of any references to the evolutionary roots of humans, as well as the Archaeopteryx, a feathered dinosaur believed to be an ancestral bird's ancestor.
Why is Evolution Important?
Evolution explains the origins of Earth and all living species. It is also a fundamental part of biology that helps scientists to learn how living organisms function and grow. Evolution also shows the connections between species. Scientists study evolution to gain a better understanding of the natural world, and to make useful discoveries like the development of new treatments.
The evidence for evolution of biological species is overwhelming. No other scientific theory can explain more about the universe as the life on earth. It has been rigorously studied and verified for many years. Many people, including religious leaders, believe in the theory of evolution as a scientific fact. It is important to remember that evolutionary biology isn't in interfere with religious beliefs since it only deals with physical objects, events and processes.
In reality, many religious people have discovered ways to reconcile their beliefs with evolutionary theory. For example certain Christians believe that God created the universe through evolution and that humans share an ancestry with other animals.
It is important for science educators to stand up for the teaching of evolution. Unfortunately, in some countries around the world the anti-evolution movement is growing. In the United States, efforts to limit the teaching of evolution have made progress in some states. In South Korea, a group known as the Society for Textbook Revise, an offshoot of the Korea Association for Creation Research (KAC) is pushing for textbooks that cover the evolutionary history of horses and their ancestral avian species Archaeopteryx.
It is important to remember, however, that the evidence in favor of evolution is overwhelming. The evidence comes from a diverse variety of sources, including fossils, genetic studies, and the behavior of living organisms. The evidence is also independently verified by other scientists.
The majority of scientists believe in the theory of evolution. The reasons behind this support vary. Scientists study evolution to discover practical solutions for example, such as the development of treatments, while others are motivated by an interest in improving the quality of life for animals and plant species, usually to benefit humans. Some are simply curious, and others have a deep faith in God and want to know how the universe functions.
What is Creationism?
Creationists are people who believe that God created the universe and all that is in it. They also believe that the Bible is God's word and should be interpreted in a literal manner. Many creationists are Christians However, not all. Creationists generally fall into two categories: Young Earth creationists (YEC) and old earth creationists (OEC).
The most well-known type of creationist is known as the YEC. They believe that God created the universe exactly in the manner described in the Bible. YECs believe that the biblical account of the creation's six days is literal, and that the universe and life on Earth started only recently.
OECs are not as well-known However, they are as committed to their beliefs as YECs. OECs believe that the universe and life on Earth are billions of years old, and that evolution is a myth.
Both forms of creationism deny the scientific theories that natural selection and biogenesis can explain how life started on Earth. They claim that evolution is not possible because it would require miracles. The pioneers of modern scientific thought shunned miracles in fear that they might lose their credibility.
Some creationists accept naturalistic evolutionary and special creation. They call their view “theistic evolution." This is sometimes also known as "continuous creationism" or "evolution from the original species." In this belief system, God creates the original species and then allows them to evolve over time. These evolutionary changes will eventually produce new species 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 believe that the original species were created at the same time and that they developed slowly afterwards. They also reject the idea of abiogenesis and argue that the self-replicating creation of organisms from nonliving matter is impossible.
In general, creationists are against teaching of evolution in schools. This position is supported by a myriad of professional associations, including the National Science Teachers Association, the Association for Science Teacher Education and the American Anthropological Association, and the Geological Society of America. However, certain researchers and educational institutions are more flexible, and allow the inclusion of creationism and evolution in their curricula.
What is Creationism?
When people think of the concept of creationism, they often think of the United States. However, South Korea is also the home of an anti-evolutionist movement. The publishers of high-school textbooks announced last week that they will remove the mention of evolution in their books. The Society for Textbook Revise, an independent body which is an offshoot of the Korea Association for Creation Research (KACCR), has led this effort. The STR has scored its first victory by removing from textbooks evidence of the evolution and ancestor of an avian, called the Archeopteryx. It is now focusing on removing snippets of Darwin's notorious finch research as well as on human evolution as well.
STR claims that it has the backing of 4,000 families as well as individual members. 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 United States. A survey of students in biology found that half did not believe in evolution. The reasons for this aren't entirely certain, but could be related to religious beliefs or the absence of creation scientists in the United States.
The KACR accomplished a number of things through its seminars and lectures in the past. It publishes a bimonthly magazine called Creation and the book. One of them was an educational textbook on natural sciences with a creationist stance. This led to an interest in the college community. 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, 1993, coinciding with the World Expo opened in Daejeon, KACR held a second International Symposium on Creation Research. Six lecturers from around the world including ICR's John Morris, Duane Gish, and Steven Austin spoke to audiences of over a thousand. click through the following article and KACR have also given talks on creation science in major seminaries. KACR plans to establish a Creation Science Education Center.