Evolution Korea
Up until recently the Korean scientific community was hesitant about engaging with the creationists out of fear of giving the movement more credibility. But silence is no longer an option.
The STR has been fighting to remove evolution-related content from textbooks, including the discovery that the feathered Archaeopteryx was an ancestor bird. This is just one aspect of the way in which the development paradigm has evolved.
What is Evolution?
Evolution is a scientific theory that explains the evolution of genetic characteristics of living organisms over time. The theory is based on the fact that living organisms adapt to their environments which can result in changes in genes or even complete genomes. These changes could over generations lead to the creation of new species. The predominant theory of evolution is natural selection, which describes the process that allows those with favorable characteristics live and reproduce more frequently than those with disadvantages. This differential reproduction can be a catalyst to the development and emergence of new species.
The word "evolution" originates from Latin for unrolling or revealing has been used in many different ways as the concept has changed, both in science and elsewhere. Some early evolutionists, like Jean Baptiste de Lamarck and Erasmus Darwin (Charles's grandfather), believed that existing species changed into other species in a predetermined fashion. The term"transmutation" was coined by Lamarck's student, embryologist Etienne Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire, to describe this notion. Charles Lyell, in his Principles of Geology, published in 1833, attacked the concept of evolution and borrowed the term from Geoffroy’s student.
More recently evolutionary biologists have defined evolution as a process that occurs when living things develop characteristics that enhance their chances of survival, or their ability to reproduce offspring. In time, genetic variation can lead a population to acquire new physical traits or biological functions. Natural selection is the mechanism that triggers the most evolutionary changes. Changes that are not genetic, like an increase in muscle mass from exercise or diet, cannot be considered evolution because they aren't passed on to the next generation.
Despite the fact that evolution has stood the test of time and thousands of scientific experiments, creationists have seized on the idea that evolution is controversial and claim that it shouldn't be taught in schools. In South Korea, creationists have gained a few victories in their efforts to eliminate evolution from textbooks for high school and have also gotten rid of any mention of the evolutionary history of humans, as well as the Archaeopteryx, a feathered dinosaur believed to be the ancestral bird's parent.
Why is Evolution Important for Humanity?
Evolution explains how Earth and all living creatures came into existence. It is also one of the pillars of biology, and helps scientists understand how living things work and develop. Evolution also shows how different species are interconnected. Scientists study evolution to gain a better understanding of the natural world, and also to make important discoveries like the development of new medicines.
The evidence for biological evolution is overwhelming. There is no other scientific theory that explains so much about the universe as well as life on this planet, and it has been rigorously tested and verified over the course of many years. Many people, even some religious leaders, are in support of the scientific theory. It is important to remember that evolutionary biology doesn't conflict with religions, since the theory only deals with things, events and processes within the physical world.
In reality many religious individuals have discovered ways to reconcile their beliefs with evolutionary theory. Some Christians for instance, believe that God created everything through evolution, and that humans share an ancestral connection to other animals.
It is important that science educators advocate for the teaching of evolution. In some countries around the world, anti-evolution sentiment is growing. In the United States some states have taken steps to limit the teaching evolution. In South Korea, a group called the Society for Textbook Revise (STR) which is an offshoot from the Korea Association for Creation Research is urging the removal of textbooks about the evolution of horses and the bird ancestor Archaeopteryx.
It is crucial to keep in mind, however, that the evidence in support of evolution is overwhelming. The evidence comes from a broad 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 agree with the theory of evolution. The reasons behind this belief vary. Scientists study evolution to discover practical solutions for example, such as the development of medicines and other treatments, while others are driven by a desire to improve animal and plant species, typically for the benefit of humans. Some are simply curious, and others have a deep religious belief in God and want to know how the universe functions.
What is Creationism?
Creationists are people who believe that God created the universe and everything in it. They also believe that the Bible is God's word and should be believed to be true. While Creationists may evolutionkr not all be Christian however, many are. Creationists typically fall into one of two categories: Young Earth creationists (YEC) and old earth creationists (OEC).
The most well-known type of creationist is the YEC. They believe that God created the universe in the exact way described in the Bible. YECs believe that the biblical account of the six days of creation 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 they believe that evolution is a myth.
Both forms of creationism deny the scientific theories that natural selection and biogenesis can explain how life came to be on Earth. They claim that evolution is not possible because it requires an extraordinary event, and that the pioneers of modern science eschewed miracles for fear that they would lose credibility.
Some creationists believe in naturalistic evolution as well as special creation, and refer to their belief "theistic evolution." This is sometimes also called "continuous creationism" or "evolution from the original species." The theory suggests that God creates species from scratch and then allows these to evolve over time. Eventually, these evolutionary changes will result in new species like the original ones.
Other creationists believe that God created the universe and all living things in one event, referred to as the Great Flood. These creationists believe that the original species were created simultaneously, and that they developed slowly afterward. They deny the notion of abiogenesis and assert that self-replicating living cannot come from nonliving matter.
In general, creationists are against teaching of evolution in schools. Numerous professional associations, like the National Science Teachers Association and the Association for Science Teacher Education are in support of this view and so do the American Anthropological Association and the Geological Society of America. However, some academic institutions and scientists are more flexible, and allow the inclusion of both evolution and creationism in their curricula.
What is Creationism in Korea?
When people think about creationism, they often think of the United States. South Korea also has an anti-evolutionist group. The publishers of high school textbooks announced recently that they will remove references to evolution in their textbooks. The Society for Textbook Revise, an independent organization that is an offshoot from 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 examples of the evolution and ancestor of an bird, the Archeopteryx. The next goal is to take out the finch-research of Darwin's famed and also on human evolution.
STR claims that it has the backing of 4,000 families as well as individual members. Its goal is to weed 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 in the country. A survey of trainee biology teachers revealed that a majority do not believe in evolution. The reasons aren't evident, but they could be due to religious beliefs or the absence of creation scientists in the country.
The KACR has achieved a number of things in the past through lectures and seminar events. It publishes a bimonthly magazine called Creation and an ebook. Among these is a textbook on the natural sciences with an evolutionary perspective that has sparked interest among college students. In 1991, a professor and minister began teaching Creation Science in one university and it is taught until today.
On August 6th and 7th of 1993, KACR hosted a second International Symposium on Creation Research. This 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 a crowd of more than a thousand. KACR and its members have been delivering lectures on creation science in major seminaries as well. KACR plans to establish a Creation Science Education Center in the near future.