5 Motives Evolution Korea Is Actually A Beneficial Thing

Evolution Korea

In the past the Korean scientific community refrained from engaging with the creationists in fear that it could give the movement more credibility. The silence is no longer a viable option.

The STR has been fighting to get evolution-related content from textbooks, including the discovery that the feathered Archaeopteryx was an ancestor bird. This is only one example 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 surroundings which can result in changes in genes or even complete genomes. These changes could over generations lead to the emergence of new species. The prevailing theory of evolution is known as natural selection, which describes the process that allows individuals with advantageous characteristics survive and reproduce more often than those with disadvantages. In time, this disparity in reproduction may lead to the emergence of completely new species.

The word "evolution" originates from the Latin word for unrolling or revealing. However, the concept itself has a myriad of meanings over the years as it has taken form in the sciences and elsewhere. Early evolutionists, such as Jean Baptiste de Lamarck and Erasmus Darwin (Charles's grandfather) believed that existing species changed into other species in a certain way. Etienne Geoffroy St.Hilaire was Lamarck's embryologist disciple who invented the term "transmutation" to describe this view. Charles Lyell, in his Principles of Geology, published in 1833, attacked the concept of evolution and borrowed the term from Geoffroy’s student.

Recently evolutionary biologists have defined evolution as a process that occurs when living creatures develop characteristics that improve their chances of survival or ability to produce offspring. Over time, this genetic variability can cause the emergence of completely new physical or biological functions in the population. The change in gene frequencies is known as natural selection and it drives most evolutionary change. Changes that are not genetic, like an increase in muscle mass from exercise or diet, can't be considered evolution because they aren't passed down to future generations.

Despite the fact that evolution has stood the test of time and thousands of scientific studies, creationists have seized on the idea that evolution is controversial and argue that it shouldn't be taught in school. In South Korea, creationists have won a few victories in their efforts to eliminate evolution from high school textbooks and have also gotten rid of any mention of the evolutionary history of humans and the Archaeopteryx, a feathered dinosaur believed to be an ancestral bird's parent.

Why is Evolution Important?

Evolution explains the origins of Earth and all living species. It also serves as a basis of biology that helps scientists to learn how living organisms function and grow. Evolution also shows how different species are connected. Scientists study evolution to gain a better understanding of the natural world and also to make important discoveries like the development of new drugs.

The evidence for evolution is overwhelming. No other scientific theory can explain as much about the universe and life on earth. It has been thoroughly examined and confirmed for many years. Many people, and even 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 come up with a way of reconciling evolution with their convictions. For instance some Christians believe that God created the universe through evolution and that humans have an ancestral connection with other animals.

It is important for science educators to stand up for the teaching of evolution. Unfortunately, in some countries around the world there is a growing anti-evolutionist sentiment. In the United States, efforts to restrict the teaching of evolution have made progress in a few 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 elimination of textbook content about the evolution of horses and the avian ancestral Archaeopteryx.

Although these are alarming changes, it's important to keep in mind that the evidence for evolution is overwhelming. The evidence for evolution is based on a variety of sources, such as fossils, genetics, and the behavior of living creatures. Other scientists independently verify the evidence.

The majority of scientists supports the theory of evolution. The reasons behind this support are diverse. Some scientists study evolution to discover practical solutions such as the development of new medicines and other treatments, while others use it to improve the quality of animal and plant species, typically to benefit humans. Some scientists are simply curious, while others have an intense faith in God.

What is Creationism?

Creationists believe that God created all things in the universe. They also believe the Bible is God's word and should be believed to be true. While some creationists are not Christian but they are a majority. Creationists generally fall in two categories: Young Earth creationists (YEC) and old earth creationists (OEC).

The most common type of creationist is known as the YEC. They believe that God created the universe exactly in the manner described in the Bible. YECs hold that the biblical account of the six days of creation is literal and that the universe as well as life on Earth were created just recently.

OECs are not as well-known, but they are as committed to their beliefs as YECs. OECs believe the universe and Earth are billions of years old, and believe that evolution is a myth.

Both types of creationism reject the notion that scientific theories such as natural selection and abiogenesis could explain the origin of life on Earth. They claim that evolution is not possible because it would require an extraordinary event, and that the scientists who founded modern science eschewed miracles for fear of losing credibility.

Some creationists accept both naturalistic evolution and special creation, and call their view "theistic evolution." This is sometimes also called "continuous creationism" or "evolution from the original species." This theory states that God creates the original species 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 entire universe in one event known as the Great Flood. Creationists believe that all the original species were created at the same moment and that they gradually evolved. They reject the concept of abiogenesis and claim that self-replicating life can't come from non-living matter.

In general, the creationists oppose the teaching of evolution in schools. This position is supported by a variety of professional organizations such as the National Science Teachers Association, the Association for Science Teacher Education as well as the American Anthropological Association, and the Geological Society of America. Some academic institutions and scientists are however more flexible and permit both evolution and creationism 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. Publishers of high-school textbooks announced recently that they would eliminate references to evolution in their books. The Society for Textbook Revise, an independent organization that is an offshoot of the Korea Association for Creation Research (KACCR) has been the driving force behind this effort. The STR has won its first victory by removing from textbooks the evidence of the evolution and ancestor of the avian, the Archeopteryx. Its next target is to take out portions of Darwin's notorious finch-research as well as on human evolution.

STR claims to have the support of 4,000 families as well as individual members. Its goal is to weed out what it believes is the "atheist materialism" that reflects a hopeless worldview for students. It also seeks to counter the influence of American creationists in the country. A survey of trainee biology teachers revealed that around half do not believe in the concept of evolution. The causes are not evident, but they could be due 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 has a bimonthly news magazine, Creation, and has published books. One of them is a textbook on the natural sciences that has an evolutionary perspective that attracted the attention of college communities. In 1991 an academic and minister started teaching Creation Science in one university and it is taught until today.

On August 7 and 8 in 1993, the same day that 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 thousands of people.  에볼루션 룰렛  and its members have been delivering lectures on creation science at major seminaries, too. KACR plans to create a Creation Science Education Center in the future.