Evolution Korea
In the past, the Korean scientific community avoided engaging with creationists for fear of giving the movement more credence. Silence is no longer a viable option.
The STR has been campaigning to get rid of textbooks that describe evolution, such as the discovery of the feathered dinosaur Archaeopteryx as an ancestor of birds. 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 change in genetic characteristics of living organisms over time. The theory is based on the fact that living organisms adapt to their environment, which could result in changes to genes or whole genomes. Over many generations these changes could result in the emergence of new species. Natural selection is the most popular theory of evolution. It explains how people with advantageous traits are more likely to reproduce and survive than those with less favorable traits. As time passes, this difference in reproduction can result in the creation of entirely new species.
The term "evolution", which comes from the Latin for revealing or unrolling, has been used in many different ways as the concept has evolved in both science as well as elsewhere. Early evolutionists, such as Jean Baptiste de Lamarck and Erasmus Darwin (Charles's grandfather), believed that existing species transformed into other species in a certain way. Etienne Geoffroy St.Hilaire was Lamarck's embryologist pupil who coined the term "transmutation" to describe this idea. Charles Lyell, in his Principles of Geology, published in 1833, attacked the idea of evolution, and borrowed the term from Geoffroy’s student.
More recently evolutionary biologists have defined evolution as a process when living things develop characteristics that improve 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 through exercise or diet, cannot be considered to be evolution since they don't pass on to future generations.
Creationists have a tendency to use the argument that evolution is controversial, in spite of the fact that it has been proven valid by a multitude of scientific tests and it has been tested over time. They claim that the theory shouldn't be taught in schools. In South Korea, creationists have had a few wins in their fight to remove evolution from high-school textbooks and have also gotten rid of any mention of the evolutionary origins of humans as well as the Archaeopteryx feathered dinosaur believed to be the ancestral bird's parent.
Why is Evolution Important?
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 discover how living things operate and grow. Evolution also shows how various species are connected. Scientists study evolution in order to better comprehend nature and make important discoveries such as new drugs.
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 our planet. It has been rigorously studied and verified for many years. Many people, including some religious leaders, believe in the theory of evolution as a scientific fact. It is crucial to keep in mind that evolutionary biology doesn't conflict with religious beliefs as it only focuses on physical objects, events and processes.
In fact many religious people have discovered ways to reconcile their beliefs with evolutionary theory. Certain Christians for instance, believe that God created everything through evolution, and that humans share an ancestral connection to other animals.
It is crucial for science educators to advocate for the teaching of evolution. In certain countries, anti-evolution sentiment has been rising. In the United States some states have taken steps to limit the teaching of evolution. In South Korea, a group known as the Society for Textbook Revise, an offshoot from the Korea Association for Creation Research (KAC) is a campaign for textbook content on the evolution of horses and their avian ancestor Archaeopteryx.
While these are disturbing changes, it's important to keep in mind that the evidence for evolution is overwhelming. The evidence comes from a diverse range of sources, such as fossils, genetic studies, and the behavior of living organisms. Other scientists independently verify the evidence.
The majority of scientists agree with the theory of evolution. The reasons for this support are diverse. Certain scientists study evolution in order to make practical discoveries that can lead to the development of new medications, while others are motivated by a desire to improve animal and plant species, typically to benefit humans. Some are simply curious, and still others have a deep religious belief in God and want to understand how the universe functions.
What is Creationism?
Creationists are those who believe that God created the universe and everything within it. They also believe that the Bible is the word of God and should be taken literally. While some creationists are not Christian however, they are a majority. Creationists typically fall into one of two categories: Young Earth creationists (YEC) and old earth creationists (OEC).
The YECs are the best known type of creationist and they believe that God created the world in the exact way described in the Bible. They believe that the biblical account of the first six days of creation is literal and that the universe and the life on Earth were only created recently.
OECs are not as 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 lie.
Both forms of creationism deny that scientific principles such as biogenesis and natural selection could explain how life came to be on Earth. They claim that evolution isn't possible because it would require a miracle, and that the founders of modern science eschewed miracles for fear that they would lose credibility.
Some creationists believe in naturalistic evolution as well as special creation. They refer to their belief as "theistic evolution.” This is sometimes also known as "continuous creationism" or "evolution from the created species." This theory states that God creates the original species and allows them to change over time. These evolutionary changes will eventually produce new species that are similar to the original.
Some creationists believe that God created all living things and the universe in a single event called the Great Flood. They believe that the original species were all created at the same time, and that they evolved slowly afterwards. They reject the concept of abiogenesis and assert that self-replicating living cannot come from non-living matter.
In general, the creationists are against teaching evolution at schools. Numerous professional organizations, such as the National Science Teachers Association and the Association for Science Teacher Education are in support of this view, as do the American Anthropological Association and the Geological Society of America. Certain scientists and educational institutions are however more flexible and allow evolution and creationism to be incorporated into their curriculum.
What is Creationism in Korea?
When people think of creationism, many of them think of the United States. South Korea also has an anti-evolutionist group. Publishers of high-school textbooks announced last week that they would eliminate the mention of evolution in their textbooks. The Society for Textbook Revise, an independent organization that is an offshoot of the Korea Association for Creation Research (KACCR), has led this effort. The STR has scored its first victory by removing from textbooks examples of the evolution and ancestor of an bird, the Archeopteryx. The next step is to remove the finch-research of Darwin's famed as well as on human evolution.
STR claims that it has the support of around 4,000 families and individuals. Its goal, it says, is to rid 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 trainee biology teachers revealed that a majority do not believe in evolution. The reasons for this aren't entirely certain, but could be related to religious beliefs or the absence of creation scientists in the US.
The KACR accomplished a number of things through its seminars and lectures in the past. It publishes a bimonthly journal called Creation and an ebook. One of them was a textbook on natural science with a cosmological perspective. This led to an interest in the college community. In 1991, a professor along with a minister, began teaching Creation Science at one university. It is still taught today.
On August 7 and 8 the 7th of August 1993, which coincided with the World Expo opened in Daejeon, KACR held a second International Symposium on Creation Research. Six lecturers from outside the country including ICR's John Morris and Steven Austin, spoke to a crowd of more than a thousand. KACR members and KACR have also given lectures on creation science in prestigious seminaries. KACR plans to establish a Creation Science Education Center in the near future.