Evolution Korea
For a long time the scientific community in Korea has avoided engaging with the creationists, fearing that it could give the movement more credibility. The silence is no longer an alternative.
The STR has been fighting to remove content from textbooks that discuss evolution, including the discovery of the feathered dinosaur Archaeopteryx as an early bird's ancestor. This is only one aspect of how the development paradigm has evolved.
What is Evolution?
Evolution is a scientific theory that explains the changes in the genetic traits of living organisms over time. The theory is based on the fact that living things adapt to their environment and this can lead to changes in genes, or even entire genomes. These changes can over many generations lead to the creation of new species. Natural selection is the most popular theory of evolution. It describes how individuals with advantageous traits are more likely to reproduce and survive than those with less advantageous traits. This differing reproduction may, over time, lead to the development and emergence of new species.
The term "evolution" is derived from the Latin word"evolution" which means unraveling or revealing, however the concept has had a variety of meanings since it took form in the sciences and elsewhere. Some early evolutionists, like Jean Baptiste de Lamarck and Erasmus Darwin (Charles's grandfather) believed that existing species transformed into other species in a predetermined fashion. Etienne Geoffroy St-Hilaire was Lamarck's embryologist pupil who invented the term "transmutation" to describe this idea. Charles Lyell, in his Principles of Geology, published in 1833, challenged the concept of evolution and borrowed the term from Geoffroy’s student.
More recently, evolutionary biologists have defined evolution as a process when living things develop characteristics that increase their chances of survival, or their ability to produce offspring. Over time this genetic variation can cause the emergence of completely new physical or biological functions in the population. Such a change in gene frequencies is known as natural selection and is the primary driver behind evolutionary changes. However, non-genetic changes such as increases in muscle mass from exercise or diet cannot be considered examples of evolution since they are not passed on to future generations.
Creationists are using the argument that evolution is controversial even though it has been proven accurate by thousands of scientific tests and it has stood the test of time. They claim that the theory should not be taught in schools. In South Korea, creationists have gained a few victories in their efforts to eliminate evolution from high-school textbooks and have also gotten rid of references to the evolutionary origins 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 one of the pillars of biology and helps scientists discover how living things operate and develop. Evolution also reveals the relationships between different species. Scientists study evolution to gain a better understanding of the natural world, and to discover useful information including the development of new drugs.
The evidence for evolution is overwhelming. There is no other scientific theory that explains so many aspects of the universe and life on Earth and has been rigorously tested and verified over the course of many years. Many people, including some religious leaders, support the scientific theory of evolution. It is crucial to keep in mind that evolutionary biology isn't in interfere with religious beliefs since it only focuses on physical objects, events and processes.
Many religious people have found a way to reconcile evolution with their convictions. For instance some Christians believe that God created the world through evolution, and that humans share an ancestral connection with other animals.
It is essential for science educators to support the teaching of evolution. In some countries, the opposition to evolution is growing. In the United States some states have taken steps to limit the teaching of evolution. In South Korea, a group called the Society for Textbook Revise (STR), an offshoot of the Korea Association for Creation Research is pushing for the elimination of textbook content about the evolution of horses and the bird ancestor Archaeopteryx.
While these are troubling changes, it's important to keep in mind that the evidence for evolution is overwhelming. The evidence for evolution comes from a variety of sources, including fossils, genetics and the behavior of living creatures. The evidence is also independently verified by other scientists.
The majority of scientists support the theory of evolution. This support is based on many different reasons. Certain scientists are studying evolution to make practical discoveries, such as developing new drugs or enhancing existing ones. Others do this to improve animal and plants species, typically to benefit of humans. Some are simply curious, whereas still others have a deep religious belief in God and are seeking to know how the universe works.
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 are generally divided into two groups: Young Earth Creationists (YEC) or old earth creationists.
The YECs are the best known type of creationist and they believe that God created the universe exactly as described in the Bible. YECs hold that the biblical account of the six days of creation is literal and that the universe and life on Earth were created just recently.
OECs are not as well-known, but they are just as committed to their beliefs as YECs. OECs believe that the universe as well as Earth are billions of years old and believe that evolution is a myth.
Both kinds of creationism deny that scientific principles such as biogenesis and natural selection could explain how life started on Earth. They claim that evolution is impossible because it requires the creation of a miracle, and the scientists who founded modern science shied away from miracles due to fear of losing credibility.
Some creationists believe in 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 original species and then allows them to evolve over time. These evolutionary changes will eventually produce new species that are similar to the original.
Some creationists believe that God created all living things and the entire universe in one event known as the Great Flood. Creationists believe that all the species of the beginning were created at the same moment and then slowly evolved. They reject the idea of abiogenesis and assert that self-replicating living cannot come from non-living matter.
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 as well as the American Anthropological Association, and the Geological Society of America. However, some researchers and educational institutions are more flexible, and allow the inclusion of creationism and evolution in their curriculum.
What is Creationism in Korea?
When people think of creationism typically think of the United States. South Korea also has an anti-evolutionist group. The publishers of textbooks for high school students have recently announced that they will remove references to evolution from their books. A group dubbed the Society for Textbook Revise (STR), an independent body that is an offshoot of the Korea Association for Creation Research, has led the drive. The STR has scored its first victory by removing from textbooks the evidence of the evolution and ancestor of the avian, called the Archeopteryx. Its sights are now set on the removal of excerpts from Darwin's notorious finch research and on human evolution too.
STR claims to have the support of 4,000 families as well as individual members. Its aim is to root out what it regards as the "atheist materialism" that paints an unhopeful worldview for students. It also aims to counteract the influence of American creationists in the United States. A survey of the newest biology teachers revealed that a majority do not believe in evolution. The reasons for this are not clear however, they could be related to religion and the absence of full-time creation scientists in the country.
The KACR has achieved many things through its lectures and seminar events. It publishes a bimonthly magazine, Creation, and has published books. One of them is a textbook on the natural sciences with an evolutionary perspective that has sparked interest among college students. In 1991 an academic and minister started teaching Creation Science in one university, and it is 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. 에볼루션카지노사이트 from abroad, including ICR's John Morris and Steven Austin, spoke to an audience of several thousand. KACR members and KACR have also presented lectures on creation science in major seminaries. KACR plans to create a Creation Science Education Center in the future.