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Evolution Korea
Until recently the scientific community in Korea has avoided engaging with creationists, afraid that doing so could increase the credibility of the movement. Silence is no longer an option.
The STR has been fighting to remove evolution-related content from textbooks, including the discovery that the feathered Archaeopteryx was an ancestor bird. But this is merely one aspect of the evolution of the developmental paradigm.
What is Evolution?
The theory of evolution is a scientific one 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 environments which can result in changes in genes or even complete genomes. These changes could over generations lead to the creation of new species. Natural selection is the dominant theory of evolution. It explains how people 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" originates from the Latin word meaning unraveling or revealing, however the concept itself has a myriad of meanings as it has taken shape in the sciences and other fields. Some early evolutionists, like Jean Baptiste de Lamarck and Erasmus Darwin (Charles's grandfather) believed that the existing species evolved into new species in a predetermined fashion. Etienne Geoffroy St.Hilaire was Lamarck's embryologist pupil who came up with the term "transmutation" to describe this theory. Charles Lyell, in his Principles of Geology, published in 1833, attacked the idea 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 reproduce offspring. Over time, this genetic variability can result in the development of completely new biological functions or physical traits in the same population. Natural selection is the mechanism that triggers the majority of evolutionary changes. However online that are not genetic, such as the growth in muscle mass from exercise or diet cannot be considered examples of evolution since they're not passed on to future generations.
Creationists make the argument that evolution is controversial even though it has been proven to be true by thousands of scientific tests and it has been tested over time. They claim that the concept should not be taught at school. In South Korea, creationists won a few victories over evolution in high school textbooks. This includes the removal of references about the evolutionary history of humans and Archaeopteryx which is a feathered dinosaur which is believed to be the ancestor of birds.
Why is Evolution Important?
Evolution explains how the Earth and all living species came to be. It is one of the fundamentals of biology, and aids scientists understand how living things work and develop. Evolution also shows the connections between species. Scientists study evolution to understand the natural world and to make useful discoveries, such as developing new medicines.
The evidence for evolution is overwhelming. No other scientific theory explains as much about the universe and the life on this planet. It has been thoroughly studied and verified for many years. Many people, including religious leaders, are in support of the scientific theory. It is essential to remember that evolutionary biology doesn't contradict religious beliefs because it only focuses on physical objects, events, and processes.
In reality many religious individuals have discovered ways to reconcile their beliefs with evolutionary theory. Certain Christians for instance, believe that God created everything through evolution and that humans have an ancestry that is shared with other animals.
It is essential that science educators stand up for the teaching of evolution. In certain countries, the anti-evolution movement has been rising. In the United States, efforts to restrict the teaching of evolution have made progress in some states. 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 removal of textbooks on the evolution of horses as well as the Avian 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, such as fossils, genetics and the behavior of living creatures. Other scientists independently confirm the evidence.
The vast majority of scientists support the theory of evolution. This belief is based on various reasons. Certain scientists study evolution in order to make practical discoveries that can lead to the development of new treatments and other treatments, while others are driven by an interest in improving the quality of life for animals and plant species, generally to benefit humans. Some are simply curious, while others have a profound faith in God and seek to understand how the universe works.
What is Creationism?
Creationists are those who believe that God created the universe and everything within it. They also believe the Bible is God's word and should be interpreted in a literal manner. While not all creationists are Christian however, they are a majority. Creationists are typically 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 universe exactly as described in the Bible. They believe that the biblical account of the creation's six days is true and that the universe and the life on Earth began only recently.
OECs are not as well-known, but they are just as enthusiastic about their beliefs as 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 types of creationism reject the notion that scientific principles such as natural selection and abiogenesis can explain the origins of life on Earth. They argue that evolution is impossible, because it would require miracles. The pioneers of modern scientific thought shunned miracles in fear that they would lose their credibility.
Some creationists are able to accept naturalistic evolution as well as special creation, and call their position "theistic evolution." This is also known as "continuous evolutionism" or the "evolution of created kinds." This theory states that God creates the original species and allows them to evolve over time. Eventually, these evolutionary changes will create new species that are similar to the original ones.
Other creationists hold that God created the universe and all living things during a single event, referred to as the Great Flood. Creationists believe that the original species were created simultaneously, and that they evolved slowly afterward. They also reject the concept of abiogenesis and argue that the creation of self-replicating organisms from nonliving matter is not possible.
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In general, the creationists oppose the teaching of evolution at schools. This is a position that is backed by a variety of professional organizations, 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. Certain scientists and educational institutions are, however, more flexible and allow both creationism and evolution to be incorporated into their curricula.
What is Creationism in Korea?
When people think of the concept of creationism, they often 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. The Society for Textbook Revise, an independent body that is an offshoot from the Korea Association for Creation Research (KACCR), has led this drive. STR has secured its first victory by taking away instances of the evolution of the horse as well as an avian ancestor, the Archeopteryx, from textbooks. The next goal is to eliminate portions of Darwin's notorious finch-research and also on human evolution.
STR claims to have the support of around 4000 families and individuals. Its aim is to root out what it believes is the "atheist materialism" that creates a bleak worldview for students. It also aims at countering the influence of American Creationists across the country. A survey of students in biology revealed that half of them did not believe in evolution. The reasons for this are not clear however, they could be related to religious beliefs and the lack of full-time creation scientists in the country.
The KACR has accomplished a lot through its seminars and lectures. It publishes a bimonthly magazine, Creation, and has published books. The most notable of these is a text on the natural sciences with an orthodox creationist perspective, which sparked interest in college communities. In 1991 an academic and minister began teaching Creation Science in one university and it continues to be taught until today.
On August 6 and 7 the 7th of August 1993, which coincided with the World Expo opened in Daejeon, KACR held a second International Symposium on Creation Research. Six lecturers from abroad, including ICR's John Morris and Steven Austin addressed a crowd of more than a thousand. KACR members and KACR have also presented lectures on creation science in major seminaries. KACR plans to establish a Creation Science Education Center in the near future.