Evolution Korea
In the past, Korea's scientific community has refrained from engaging with creationists, afraid that doing so could give the movement more credibility. But silence is no any longer an 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 only one aspect of the development paradigm's evolution.
What is Evolution?
The theory of evolution is a scientific one that explains the evolution of the genetic traits of living organisms over time. The theory is based upon the fact that living organisms adapt to their environment, which could result in changes to genes or entire genomes. Over time the changes could lead to the emergence new species. The prevailing theory of evolution is called natural selection, which describes the process through which individuals with advantageous characteristics survive and reproduce more frequently than those with less favorable characteristics. Over time, this differential reproduction could lead to the emergence of completely new species.
The term "evolution" comes from the Latin word meaning unraveling or revealing, however the concept itself has had many different 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 evolved into new species in a predetermined fashion. Etienne Geoffroy St-Hilaire, Lamarck's embryologist pupil who came up with the term "transmutation" to describe this view. Charles Lyell, who published the second volume of his Principles of Geology in 1833, attacked this idea and borrowed the term "evolution" from Geoffroy's student to describe the view that existing species evolve into different species in a gradual and predictable way.
More recently, evolutionary biologists have defined evolution as a process when living creatures develop characteristics that increase their chances of survival or the ability to reproduce offspring. As time passes, this genetic variability can cause the emergence of completely new biological functions or physical traits in a population. This variation in gene frequencies is known as natural selection and it drives most evolutionary changes. Non-genetic changes, such as an increase in muscle mass through exercise or diet, can't be considered evolution because they aren't passed on to the next generation.
Creationists have a tendency to use the argument that evolution is controversial despite the fact that it has been proven to be true by thousands of scientific tests and it has stood the test of time. They claim that the concept should not be taught at school. In South Korea, creationists have gained a few victories in their fight to remove evolution from high-school textbooks, including the removal of any mention of the evolutionary roots of humans, as well as the Archaeopteryx, a feathered dinosaur that is thought to be the ancestral bird's ancestor.
Why is Evolution Important to Humanity?
Evolution is the explanation for the origins of Earth and all living species. It is also one of the pillars of biology, and helps scientists understand how living things work and grow. Evolution also shows how different species are linked. Scientists study evolution in order to better comprehend nature and make valuable discoveries such as new medicines.
The evidence for 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 thoroughly tested and confirmed over a long period of time. Many people, including 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 focuses on physical objects, events and processes.
In fact many religious individuals have discovered ways to reconcile their beliefs with evolutionary theory. For example certain Christians believe that God created the universe through evolution and that humans share an ancestry with other animals.
It is crucial that science educators advocate for the teaching of evolution. In some countries, anti-evolution sentiment has been growing. In the United States, efforts to restrict the teaching of evolution have made headway in a few states. In South Korea, a group called the Society for Textbook Revise (STR) which is an offshoot of the Korea Association for Creation Research is urging the removal of textbooks on the evolution of horses and the bird ancestral Archaeopteryx.
Although these are alarming developments, it is also important to remember that the evidence for evolution is overwhelming. The evidence comes from a broad 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 support is based on many different reasons. Scientists are studying evolution to make practical discoveries, such as the development of new medicines and other treatments, while others use it to improve animal and plants species, usually for the benefit humans. Some scientists are simply curious, whereas 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 taken literally. While not all creationists are Christian but they are a majority. Creationists are typically divided into two categories: Young Earth Creationists (YEC) or old earth creationists.
The most well-known kind of creationist is called the YEC. They believe that God created the universe in exactly the way described in the Bible. YECs believe that the biblical account of the creation's six days is true, and that the universe and the life on Earth began only recently.
OECs may be less popular, but their beliefs are as fierce like the YECs. OECs believe the universe and Earth are billions of years old and that evolution is a lie.
Both types of creationism reject the idea that scientific principles like biogenesis and natural selection could explain how life came to be on Earth. They argue that evolution isn't possible because it requires the creation of a miracle, and the pioneers of modern science rejected miracles out of fear that they would lose credibility.
Some creationists believe in both naturalistic evolution and special creation, and call their view "theistic evolution." This is sometimes also known as "continuous creationism" or "evolution from created kinds." This theory states that God creates original species and allows them to evolve over time. These evolutionary changes eventually will result in new species that are similar to the original.
Some creationists 에볼루션 코리아 believe that God created all living things and the universe in a single event called the Great Flood. Creationists believe that all the species of the beginning were created at the same time and that they gradually evolved. They deny the notion of abiogenesis, and argue that self-replicating living cannot come from non-living matter.
In general, the creationists oppose the teaching of evolution in schools. Numerous professional organizations like the National Science Teachers Association and the Association for Science Teacher Education support this position as do the American Anthropological Association and the Geological Society of America. However, certain researchers and educational institutions are more flexible, and permit the inclusion of both evolution and creationism in their curricula.
What is Creationism?
When people think of creationism, many of them think of the United States. South Korea also has an anti-evolutionist group. The publishers of high school textbooks announced last week that they will remove references to evolution in their books. A group called the Society for Textbook Revise (STR) is an unofficial body that is an offshoot of the Korea Association for Creation Research and has been the driving force behind the move. STR has achieved its first victory in taking away instances of the evolution of the horse as well as an avian ancestor called the Archeopteryx, from textbooks. The next step is to eliminate portions of Darwin's notorious finch-research and also on human evolution.
STR claims to have the backing of 4,000 families and individual members. Its aim is to root 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 the newest biology teachers revealed that a majority do not believe in evolution. The reasons for this are not clear however, they could be related to religion and the absence of full-time creation scientists in the country.
The KACR has achieved a lot through its seminars and lectures in the past. It publishes a bimonthly journal called Creation and the book. The most notable of these is a text on the natural sciences that has an orthodox creationist perspective, which attracted the attention of college communities. In 1991, a professor together with a minister began teaching Creation Science at one university. It is still taught to students 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, Duane Gish and Steven Austin spoke to audiences of over a thousand. KACR and its members have given lectures on creation science at major seminaries too. KACR plans to create a Creation Science Education Center in the future.