Notes

Why Evolution Korea Still Matters In 2024
Evolution Korea

For a long time, Korea's scientific community has been hesitant to engage with creationists, afraid that it could boost the credibility of the group. However, silence is no any longer an option.


The STR has been campaigning to remove content from textbooks that explain evolution, such as the discovery of the feathered dinosaur Archaeopteryx as an early bird's ancestor. This is just one aspect of how the concept of development has changed.

What is Evolution?

The theory of evolution is a branch of science that explains changes in genetic characteristics over time. The theory is based upon the fact that living organisms adapt to their environment, which can result in variations in genes or even whole genomes. These changes can, over generations lead to the emergence of new species. The predominant theory of evolution is known as natural selection, which explains the process by which people with advantages survive and reproduce more frequently than those with disadvantages. In time, this disparity in reproduction can result in the creation of completely new species.

The word "evolution" comes from the Latin word meaning unrolling or revealing, but the concept has had a variety of meanings over the years as it has taken form in the sciences and other fields. Early evolutionists, such as Jean Baptiste de Lamarck and Erasmus Darwin (Charles's grandfather), believed that existing species evolved into new species in a predetermined fashion. The term transmutation was coined by the Lamarck's disciple, embryologist Etienne Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire to describe this view. Charles Lyell, in his Principles of Geology, published in 1833, challenged 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 improve their chances of survival or the ability to produce offspring. Over time, genetic variability can cause a population acquire new physical characteristics or biological functions. Natural selection is the mechanism that triggers the majority of evolutionary changes. Changes that are not genetic, like an increase in muscle mass through exercise or diet, can't be considered to be evolutionary because they don't pass on to future generations.

Creationists are using the argument that evolution is controversial despite the fact that it has been proven valid by a multitude of scientific tests and that it has been tested over time. They argue that the theory should not be taught at school. In South Korea, creationists won some victories against evolution in textbooks for high schools. This includes the removal of all references about the evolutionary history of humans and Archaeopteryx - a feathered dino believed to be the ancestral bird's first ancestor.

Why is Evolution Important?

Evolution explains how Earth and all living species evolved. It also serves as a basis of biology and helps scientists learn how living organisms function and develop. Evolution also shows how different species are linked. Scientists study evolution to better understand the natural world, and also to make important discoveries including the development of new treatments.

The evidence for biological evolution is overwhelming. There is no other scientific theory that explains so many aspects of the universe and life on this planet, and it has been rigorously tested and confirmed over the course of many years. Many people, including religious leaders, support the scientific theory of evolution. It is crucial to keep in mind that evolutionary biology doesn't contradict religious beliefs because it only focuses on physical objects, events and processes.

Many religious people have found a way to reconcile evolution with their beliefs. For instance certain Christians believe that God created the universe through evolution, and that humans share an ancestral lineage with other animals.

It is crucial that scientists and educators speak out for the teaching of evolution. In some countries, anti-evolution sentiment has been growing. In the United States some states have taken measures to restrict teaching of evolution. In South Korea, a group called 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 Avian ancestor Archaeopteryx.

While these are disturbing developments, it is also 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. Other scientists independently verify the evidence.

The majority of scientists agree with the theory of evolution. This belief is based on many different reasons. Going In this article to make practical discoveries for example, such as the development of medicines or developing new medicines, while others are driven by the desire to improve the lives of animals and plant species, typically to benefit humans. Some are simply curious, whereas others have a deep religious belief in God and want to know how the universe functions.

What is Creationism?

Creationists believe that God created all things in the universe. They also believe that the Bible is God's word and should be interpreted in a literal manner. While Creationists may not all be Christian but many are. Creationists are typically divided into two groups: Young Earth Creationists (YEC) or old earth creationists.

The most common type of creationist is known as the YEC. They believe that God created the universe in exactly the way that is described in the Bible. YECs believe that the biblical account of the creation's six days is true and that the universe and life on Earth was created only recently.

OECs are less well known However, they are as committed to their beliefs as YECs. OECs believe that the universe and all life on Earth are billions of years old and that evolution is an untruth.

Both kinds of creationism deny that scientific principles such as biogenesis and natural selection can explain how life came to be on Earth. They claim that evolution is inconceivable because it would require miracles. The pioneers of modern scientific thought resisted miracles in fear that they would lose their credibility.

Some creationists accept naturalistic evolutionary and special creation, and consider their views to be "theistic evolution." This is also known as "continuous evolutionism" or the "evolution of the created species." The theory says that God creates species from scratch 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 one event called the Great Flood. These creationists believe that the original species were all created at the same time and that they evolved slowly afterwards. They also reject the idea of abiogenesis, and argue that the emergence of self-replicating organisms from nonliving matter is not possible.

In general, the creationists oppose teaching evolution at schools. Numerous professional organizations, such as the National Science Teachers Association and the Association for Science Teacher Education support this position and so do the American Anthropological Association and the Geological Society of America. Some academic institutions and scientists are however more flexible and permit both creationism and evolution to be included in their curriculum.

What is Creationism?

When people think of the concept of creationism typically think of the United States. South Korea also has an anti-evolution group. Publishers of high-school textbooks announced recently that they will remove the mention of 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 effort. The STR has won its first victory by removing from textbooks evidence of the evolution and ancestor of the bird, the Archeopteryx. The next step is to remove portions of Darwin's notorious finch-research as well as on human evolution.

STR claims to have the support of 4,000 families and members. Its mission is to cut out what it regards as the "atheist materialism" that creates a bleak worldview for students. It also aims to counteract the influence of American creationists who live in the US. A survey of biology students teachers revealed that a majority do not believe in the concept of evolution. The causes are not certain, but could be related to religion or the absence of creation scientists in the United States.

The KACR has achieved a lot through its lectures and seminars in the past. It publishes a bimonthly magazine, Creation, and has published books. One of these was an educational textbook on natural sciences with a creationist stance. It sparked interest in college communities. In 1991 an academic and minister began teaching Creation Science in one university and it is taught until today.

On August 6 and 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 several thousand. KACR members and KACR have also given lectures on creation science in major seminaries. KACR plans to establish a Creation Science Education Center in the near future.

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