Why Evolution Korea Is Your Next Big Obsession
Why Evolution Korea Is Your Next Big Obsession
Blog Article
Evolution Korea
In the past the Korean scientific community was hesitant about engaging with the creationists out of fear of giving the movement more credibility. But silence is no any longer an option.
The STR has been fighting to get information about evolution from textbooks including the discovery that the feathered Archaeopteryx was an ancestral bird. However, this is just one aspect of the development paradigm's evolution.
What is Evolution?
The theory of evolution is a scientific one that explains the changes in the genetic traits of living organisms over time. The theory is based on the fact that living organisms adjust to their environment, which could lead to variations in genes or even whole genomes. These changes could over generations lead to the creation of new species. Natural selection is the most popular theory of evolution. It explains how people with traits that are advantageous are more likely to reproduce and survive than those with less favorable traits. This differential reproduction can be a catalyst to the development and emergence of new species.
The word "evolution" comes from the Latin word"evolution" which means unrolling or revealing, but the concept itself has a myriad of meanings over the years as it has taken form in the fields of science and in other fields. Some early evolutionists, like Jean Baptiste de Lamarck and Erasmus Darwin (Charles's grandfather) believed that the existing species transformed into other species in a certain way. The term"transmutation" was coined by the Lamarck's disciple embryologist Etienne Geoffroy Saint Hilaire, to describe this idea. Charles Lyell, who published the second volume of his Principles of Geology in 1833 opposed this notion and borrowed the term "evolution" from Geoffroy's student to describe the idea that existing species evolve into different species in a gradual and predictable manner.
Evolutionary biologists define it more recently as a process by which living things develop characteristics that increase their chances of surviving or conceiving offspring. As time passes, genetic variation can lead a population to acquire new physical characteristics or biological functions. The shift in gene frequency is known as natural selection and is the primary driver behind evolutionary changes. However, non-genetic changes such as increases in the muscle mass as a result of exercise or diet cannot be considered examples of evolution because they are not inherited by future generations.
Despite the fact that evolution has stood the test of time and a multitude of scientific experiments however, creationists have taken advantage of the idea that the theory is controversial to argue that it should not be taught in schools. In South Korea, creationists won a few victories against evolution in textbooks for high schools. This includes the removal of references to the evolutionary roots of humans and Archaeopteryx - a feathered dino believed to be the bird's ancestor.
Why is Evolution Important?
Evolution explains how the Earth and all its living species came to be. It is also a foundation of biology, and aids scientists learn how living organisms function and grow. Evolution also demonstrates how different species are connected. Scientists study evolution to understand the natural world and to make useful discoveries, such as developing new medicines.
The evidence for evolution of biological species is overwhelming. There is no other scientific theory that explains more about the universe and the life on earth. It has been thoroughly examined and confirmed 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 interfere with religious beliefs since it only addresses physical objects, events and processes.
In reality many religious individuals have found ways to reconcile their beliefs with evolution. For example some Christians believe that God created the universe through evolution, and that humans share an ancestry with other animals.
It is crucial that scientists and educators speak out for the teaching of evolution. Unfortunately, in a few nations around the world the anti-evolution movement is growing. In the United States, efforts to restrict the teaching of evolution have made some progress in a few 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 textbook content on the evolutionary history of horses and their ancestral avian species Archaeopteryx.
It is vital to remember that the evidence in favor of evolution is overwhelming. The evidence comes from a wide range of sources, including fossils, genetic studies and the behavior of living organisms. The evidence is also independently verified by other scientists.
The vast majority of scientists support the theory of evolution. The reasons for this support are diverse. Scientists study evolution to discover practical solutions, such as developing treatments 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 scientists are just curious, while others have a strong religious belief in God.
What is Creationism?
Creationists are people who believe that more info God created the universe and all that is in it. They also believe that the Bible is the word of God and should be taken as such. Many creationists are Christians However, not all. Creationists are usually divided into two categories: Young Earth Creationists (YEC) or old earth creationists.
The YECs are the best known form of creationist, and they believe that God created the universe exactly as 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 was created only recently.
OECs aren't as popular, but their beliefs are as intense like the YECs. OECs believe that the universe as well as Earth are billions-of-years old and believe that evolution is a myth.
Both forms of creationism reject the notion that scientific principles like natural selection and abiogenesis could explain the origins of life on Earth. They claim that evolution is impossible, because it requires miracles. The founders of modern scientific thought shunned miracles in fear that they might lose their credibility.
Some creationists accept naturalistic evolution as well as special creation, and call their belief "theistic evolution." This is sometimes also referred to as "continuous creationism" or "evolution from created kinds." In this view, God creates the original species, and then allows them to change over time. In the end these evolutionary changes will result in new species similar to the original ones.
Some creationists believe that God created all living things and the universe in one event called the Great Flood. These creationists hold that all the original species were created at the same moment and then gradually evolved. They reject the idea of abiogenesis, and argue that self-replicating living cannot come from nonliving matter.
In general, creationists are against teaching evolution at schools. This is a position that is backed by a variety of professional organizations which include the National Science Teachers Association, the Association for Science Teacher Education, 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 exactly is Creationism in Korea?
When people think of the concept of creationism, many of them think of the United States. South Korea also has an anti-evolution group. Publishers of high school textbooks have recently announced that they will eliminate references to evolution from their books. A group known as the Society for Textbook Revise (STR), an independent body that is an offshoot of the Korea Association for Creation Research which is the driving force behind the campaign. STR has won its first victory by taking away examples of the evolution of the horse as well as an avian ancestor, called the Archeopteryx from textbooks. It is now focusing on the removal of excerpts from Darwin's notorious finch research as well as 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" that paints an image of students as being negative. It also seeks to counter the influence of American Creationists in the United States. A survey of students in biology revealed that half of them didn't believe in evolution. The reasons for this are not clear but could be due to religion and the absence of full-time creation scientists across the United States.
The KACR has achieved a lot through its lectures and seminars in the past. It publishes a bimonthly news magazine, Creation, and has published books. One of them was an educational textbook on natural sciences with a creationist stance. It sparked interest in the college community. In 1991 the year 1991, a minister and professor 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. The event was held in conjunction with the opening of the World Expo in Daejeon. Six lecturers from outside the country including ICR's John Morris and Steven Austin addressed an audience of several thousand. KACR members and KACR have also given lectures on the subject of creation science at major seminaries. KACR plans to establish a Creation Science Education Center.