How Evolution Korea Impacted My Life The Better
How Evolution Korea Impacted My Life The Better
Blog Article
Evolution Korea
Until recently the scientific community in Korea has avoided engaging with creationists, afraid that it could give the movement more credibility. Silence is no longer an alternative.
The STR has been campaigning to eliminate content from textbooks that explain evolution, such as the discovery of the feathered dinosaur Archaeopteryx as an ancestral bird's ancestor. This is only one aspect of the evolution of the development paradigm.
What is Evolution?
The theory of evolution is a branch of science that explains changes in genetic traits over time. The theory is based upon the fact that living organisms adjust to their environment, which could result in changes to genes or entire genomes. Over the course of many generations the changes could lead to the emergence new species. The predominant theory of evolution is known as natural selection, which explains the process that allows individuals with advantageous characteristics survive and reproduce more often than those with less favorable characteristics. This differing reproduction may, over time, lead to the development and emergence of new species.
The term "evolution" comes from the Latin word for unrolling or revealing, but the concept itself has a myriad of meanings over the years as it has taken shape in the sciences and in other fields. Some early evolutionists, including Jean Baptiste de Lamarck and Erasmus Darwin (Charles's grandfather) believed that the existing species transformed into other species in a planned manner. Etienne Geoffroy St-Hilaire, Lamarck's embryologist student who coined the term "transmutation" to describe this idea. 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 that occurs when living organisms develop traits that increase their chances of survival or the ability to reproduce offspring. In time, this genetic variability can cause the emergence of completely new physical or biological functions in the same population. This shift in gene frequency is called natural selection, and is the primary driver behind evolutionary change. However, non-genetic changes such as increases in muscle mass from diet or exercise cannot be considered to be examples of evolution since they are not inherited by the next generation.
Despite the fact that evolution has stood the tests of time and thousands of scientific studies Creationists have taken advantage of the notion that the theory is controversial to claim that it shouldn't be taught in school. In South Korea, creationists have had a few wins in their efforts to eliminate evolution from textbooks for high school which includes the removal of any references to the evolutionary history of humans, as well as the Archaeopteryx feathered dinosaur believed to be the ancestral bird's ancestor.
Why is Evolution Important to Humanity?
Evolution explains the origins of Earth and all living species. It is one of the fundamentals of biology, and helps scientists understand how living things work and grow. Evolution also shows the connections between species. Scientists study evolution to better understand the natural world and to discover useful information, such as developing new treatments.
The evidence for evolution is overwhelming. No other scientific theory explains as much about the universe as the life on earth. It has been rigorously examined and confirmed for many years. Many people, including religious leaders, are in favor of the scientific theory. It is essential to remember that evolutionary biology doesn't conflict with religious beliefs as it only deals with physical objects, events, and processes.
Many religious people have discovered a way to reconcile evolution with their convictions. For example certain Christians believe that God created the world through evolution and that humans have an ancestry with other animals.
It is crucial that science educators stand up for the teaching evolution. In some countries, anti-evolution sentiment 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 campaigning for the removal of textbooks about the evolution of horses as well as the avian ancestor Archaeopteryx.
Although these are alarming developments, it is also important to remember that the evidence for evolution is overwhelming. The evidence comes from a diverse variety of sources, including fossils, genetic studies, and the behavior of living organisms. Other scientists independently verify the evidence.
The majority of scientists agree with the theory of evolution. The reasons for this support vary. 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, usually for the benefit humans. Some are simply curious, and still others have a deep faith in God and want 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 taken literally. While Creationists may not all be Christian however, many are. Creationists generally fall in one of two categories: Young Earth creationists (YEC) and old earth creationists (OEC).
The most popular kind of creationist is called the YEC. They believe that God created the universe exactly in the manner described in the Bible. YECs hold that the biblical account of six days of creation was literal and that the universe as well as life on Earth were created just recently.
OECs are less well known, but they're just as enthusiastic about their beliefs as YECs. OECs believe the universe and Earth are billions of years old and believe that evolution is a myth.
Both forms of creationism deny the scientific theories that biogenesis and natural selection can explain how life started on Earth. They argue that evolution is not possible because it would require a miracle, and that the scientists who founded modern science shied away from miracles due to fear of losing credibility.
Some creationists accept both naturalistic evolution and special creation, and call their position "theistic evolution." This is also known as "continuous evolutionism" or the "evolution of species created." The theory says that God creates species from scratch and then allows these to evolve over time. Eventually the evolutionary changes result in new species like the original ones.
Other creationists believe that God created the universe and all living things in a single event, referred to as the Great Flood. They believe that the original species were created simultaneously, and that they grew slowly afterward. They reject the concept of abiogenesis, and argue that self-replicating life can't come from nonliving matter.
In general, the creationists oppose teaching evolution at schools. This is a position that is backed by a myriad of professional associations which include the National Science Teachers Association, the Association for Science Teacher Education and the American Anthropological Association, and the Geological Society of America. Certain scientists and educational institutions are however more flexible and allow creationism and evolution to be included in their curricula.
What is Creationism?
When people think of the concept of creationism typically think of the United States. However, South Korea is also home to an anti-evolution movement. The publishers of textbooks for high school students have recently announced that they will remove references to evolution from their books. A group known as the Society for Textbook Revise (STR) is an unofficial body that is an offshoot of the Korea Association for Creation Research which is the driving force behind the campaign. The STR has won its first victory by removing from textbooks examples of the evolution and ancestor of the avian, the Archeopteryx. It is now focusing on removing excerpts from Darwin's infamous finch research and on human evolution, too.
STR claims to have the support of around 4000 families and individuals. The goal, according to STR is to clear the world of what it calls "atheist materialism" which paints a negative view for students. It also hopes to combat the influence of American creationists who live in the US. A survey of the newest biology teachers revealed that a majority do not believe in the concept of evolution. The causes aren't clear but could be due to religion and the absence of full-time creation scientists across the country.
The website KACR has achieved many things in the past through seminars and lectures. It also publishes a bimonthly magazine called Creation and the book. Among these is a textbook on the natural sciences, with an orthodox creationist perspective, which attracted the attention of college communities. In 1991, a professor together with a minister began teaching Creation Science at one university. It is still taught to students today.
On August 6th and 7th of 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 abroad including ICR's John Morris and Steven Austin presented to an audience of several thousand. KACR members and KACR have also given lectures on the subject of creation science at major seminaries. KACR intends to establish a Creation Science Education Center.