7 Things You've Never Knew About Evolution Korea

Evolution Korea

In the past the Korean scientific community avoided engaging with creationists, afraid that doing so might boost the credibility of the group. Silence is no longer a viable option.

The STR has been fighting to eliminate information about evolution from textbooks including the discovery that the feathered Archaeopteryx was an ancestor bird. This is just one aspect of how the concept of development has evolved.

What is Evolution?

Evolution is a theory of science that explains the changes in genetic characteristics of living organisms over time. The theory is based on the fact that living organisms adapt to their environment and this can lead to changes in genes or even whole genomes. Over time the changes could lead to the emergence new species. Natural selection is the dominant theory of evolution. It explains how people who have advantages are more likely to reproduce and survive than those with less favorable traits. This variation in reproduction could, over time, lead to the creation and evolution of new species.

The term "evolution" is derived from the Latin word meaning unrolling or revealing, but the concept has had a variety of meanings since it took shape in the sciences and in other fields. Some early evolutionists, like Jean Baptiste de Lamarck and Erasmus Darwin (Charles's grandfather) believed that the existing species changed into other species in a planned manner. Etienne Geoffroy St.Hilaire was Lamarck's embryologist pupil who coined the term "transmutation" to describe this theory. Charles Lyell, who published the second volume of his Principles of Geology in 1833 challenged this notion and borrowed the term "evolution" from Geoffroy's student to describe the view that species are evolving into other 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 living or producing offspring. As time passes, genetic variation can cause a population to develop new physical characteristics or biological functions. Natural selection is the process that drives the majority of evolutionary changes. Non-genetic changes, such as an increase in muscle mass through exercise or diet, cannot be considered to be evolutionary because they don't pass on to the next generation.

Despite the fact that evolution has withstood the test of time and thousands of scientific studies, creationists have seized on the idea that the theory is controversial to claim that it shouldn't be taught in school. In South Korea, creationists won a few victories over evolution in textbooks for high schools. This includes the removal of all references to the evolutionary roots of humans as well as Archaeopteryx - a feathered dinosaur believed to be the ancestral bird's first ancestor.

Why is Evolution Important?

Evolution explains the origins and evolution of Earth and all living species. It is also one of the pillars of biology and helps scientists to understand how living things function and grow. Evolution also helps us understand the connections between different species. Scientists study evolution to better comprehend nature and make valuable discoveries, such as the development of new drugs.

The evidence for biological evolution is overwhelming. There is no other scientific theory that can explain so many aspects of the universe and life on Earth, and it has been rigorously tested and verified over many years. Many people, including religious leaders, support the theory of evolution as a scientific fact. It is important to understand that evolutionary biology does not conflict with religious beliefs, as the theory is based on things, events and processes in the physical world.

Many religious people have found a way to reconcile evolution with their beliefs. Some 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 advocate for the teaching of evolution. In certain countries, the opposition to evolution has been growing. In the United States some states have taken steps to limit teaching evolution. In South Korea, a group known as the Society for Textbook Revise, an offshoot of the Korea Association for Creation Research (KAC) is a campaign for textbooks to include content on the evolutionary history of horses and their ancestral avian species Archaeopteryx.

While these are troubling developments, it is important to keep in mind that the evidence for evolution is overwhelming. The evidence comes from a wide variety of sources, including fossils, genetic studies and the behavior of living organisms. Other scientists independently verify the evidence.

The vast majority of scientists agree with the theory of evolution. This belief is based on a variety of reasons. Certain scientists study evolution in order to discover practical solutions such as developing new drugs or enhancing existing ones. Others do this to improve animal and plants species, usually for the benefit of humans. Some scientists are just curious, while others have an intense faith in God.

What is Creationism?

Creationists are those who believe that God created the universe and all that is in it. They also believe that the Bible is God's word and should be taken literally. Many creationists are Christians However, not all. Creationists are generally divided into two categories: Young Earth Creationists (YEC) or old earth creationists.

The most well-known 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 first six days of creation is literal and that the universe as well as life on Earth were created just recently.

OECs are less well known, but they are as enthusiastic about their beliefs as YECs. OECs believe that the universe and Earth are billions-of-years old and that evolution is a myth.

Both types of creationism reject the notion that scientific principles like natural selection and abiogenesis are able to explain the origin of life on Earth. They claim that evolution is not possible because it would require miracles. The pioneers of modern science shunned miracles because they feared they would lose their credibility.

Some creationists believe in naturalistic evolution as well as special creation. They call their view “theistic evolution.” This is sometimes known as "continuous creationism" or "evolution from created kinds." This theory states that God creates species from scratch and allows them to change over time. Eventually, these evolutionary changes will create new species that are 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 believe that the first species were created simultaneously, and that they evolved slowly afterward. They reject the idea of abiogenesis, and argue that self-replicating life cannot arise from non-living matter.

In general, creationists are opposed to the teaching of evolution in schools. Numerous professional organizations, such as the National Science Teachers Association and the Association for Science Teacher Education support this position and so do website the American Anthropological Association and the Geological Society of America. Certain scientists and educational institutions, however, are more flexible and allow both evolution and creationism to be incorporated into their curriculum.

What exactly is Creationism in Korea?

When people think of the concept of creationism most often, they think of the United States. South Korea also has an anti-evolution group. Publishers of high school textbooks have recently declared that they will be removing references to evolution from their textbooks. A group called the Society for Textbook Revise (STR) is an independent organization that is an offshoot of the Korea Association for Creation Research, has led the drive. The STR has won its first victory by removing from textbooks the evidence of the evolution and ancestor of the avian, the Archeopteryx. It is now focusing on the removal of excerpts from Darwin's notorious finch research as well as on human evolution too.

STR claims that it has the backing of 4,000 families as well as individual members. Its goal, it says is to cleanse the world of what it calls "atheist materialism" that paints an unflattering image for students. It also seeks to counter the influence of American creationists in the country. A survey of the newest 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 religious beliefs or the lack of creation scientists in the country.

The KACR accomplished a number of things through its seminars and lectures in the past. It publishes a bimonthly news magazine, Creation, and has published books. One of them is a textbook on the natural sciences, with 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 to this day.

On August 7 and 8, 1993, coinciding 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, Duane Gish and Steven Austin spoke to audiences of several thousand. KACR and its members have been giving talks on creation science at major seminaries too. KACR plans to create a Creation Science Education Center in the near future.