Evolution Korea
Until recently the Korean scientific community refrained from engaging with creationists, afraid that doing so could increase the credibility of the movement. The silence is no longer an alternative.
The STR has been campaigning to get rid of textbooks that explain 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?
Evolution is a concept in science that explains changes in genetic traits over time. The theory is based on the fact that living things adapt to their surroundings and this can lead to changes in genes, or even entire genomes. Over the course of many generations these changes could lead to the emergence new species. The predominant theory of evolution is natural selection, which explains the process through which people with advantages survive and reproduce more frequently than those with disadvantageous characteristics. This variation in reproduction could eventually lead to the emergence and evolution of new species.
The term "evolution", which comes from Latin for revealing or unrolling, has been used in a variety of different ways as the concept has developed, both in science and in other fields. Early evolutionists such as Erasmus Darwin (Charles’s grandfather) and Jean Baptiste de Lamarck believed that species were predestined to change into another species. The term transmutation was coined by Lamarck's disciple embryologist Etienne Geoffroy Saint Hilaire, to describe this notion. Charles Lyell, in his Principles of Geology, published in 1833, challenged the concept of evolution and borrowed the term from Geoffroy's student.
Recently, evolutionary biologists have defined evolution as a process when living things develop characteristics that enhance their chances of survival, or their ability to reproduce offspring. Over time this genetic variation can lead to the emergence of entirely new physical or biological traits in the population. Natural selection is the process that drives the majority of evolutionary changes. Other changes that aren't genetic, such as an increase in muscle mass from exercise or diet, cannot be considered evolution because they aren't passed on to future generations.
Despite the fact that evolution has withstood the tests of time and thousands of scientific studies however, creationists have taken advantage of the idea that the theory is controversial and argue that it should not be taught in schools. In South Korea, creationists have gained a few victories in their campaign to exclude evolution from high-school textbooks which includes the removal of references to the evolutionary roots of humans, as well as the Archaeopteryx, a feathered dinosaur believed to be an ancestral bird's parent.
Why is Evolution important to humanity?
Evolution explains the origins and evolution of Earth and all living species. It is also a fundamental part of biology and helps scientists to understand how living organisms work and develop. Evolution also demonstrates how different species are linked. Scientists study evolution to better understand the natural world and also to make important discoveries including the development of new medicines.
The evidence for evolution is overwhelming. There is no other scientific theory that explains as much about the universe as the life on earth. It has been rigorously studied and verified for many years. Many people, even some religious leaders, are in support of the scientific theory. It is crucial to keep in mind that evolutionary biology isn't in conflict with religious beliefs as it only focuses on physical objects, events and processes.
Many religious people have come up with a way of reconciling evolution with their convictions. Some Christians, for example, believe that God created everything through evolution, and that humans share a common ancestry to other animals.
It is important for scientists to advocate for the teaching of evolution. In some countries, anti-evolution sentiment has been rising. In the United States some states have taken measures to restrict teaching evolution. In South Korea, a group known as the Society for Textbook Revise (STR), an offshoot of the Korea Association for Creation Research is urging the elimination of textbook content about the evolution of horses and the Avian ancestral Archaeopteryx.
While these are disturbing developments, it is also important to keep in mind that the evidence for evolution is overwhelming. The evidence comes from a wide range of sources, such as 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 reason for this is various reasons. Certain scientists study evolution in order to make practical discoveries such as developing new drugs and other treatments, while others use it to improve animal and plants species, usually for the benefit of humans. Some are simply curious, and still others have a deep religious belief in God and are seeking to know how the universe works.
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 interpreted in a literal manner. Many creationists are Christians However, not all. Creationists typically fall into two categories: Young Earth creationists (YEC) and old earth creationists (OEC).
The most well-known kind of creationist is called the YEC. They believe that God created the universe exactly in the way described in the Bible. YECs hold that the biblical account of the six days of creation was true and that the universe as well as life on Earth were created just recently.
OECs are not as well-known However, they are as passionate about their beliefs as YECs. OECs believe that the universe and life on Earth are billions of years old and they believe that evolution is a myth.
Both types of creationism deny that scientific theories such as natural selection and abiogenesis can explain the origins of life on Earth. They claim that evolution isn't possible because it would require an extraordinary event, and that the pioneers of modern science shied away from miracles due to fear that they would lose credibility.
Some creationists are able to accept both naturalistic evolution and special creation, and refer to their position "theistic evolution." This is sometimes also called "continuous creationism" or "evolution from created kinds." In this view, God creates the original species and then allows them to change over time. Then, these evolutionary changes will produce new species that are similar to the original ones.
Some creationists believe that God created all living things and the universe in a single event known as the Great Flood. These creationists hold that all the original species were created at the same moment and then gradually evolved. They also reject the concept of abiogenesis, and argue that the self-replicating creation of organisms from nonliving matter is not possible.
In general, the creationists are against 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 allow the inclusion of creationism and evolution in their curriculum.
What is Creationism?
When people think of the concept of creationism typically think of the United States. South Korea also has an anti-evolutionist group. The publishers of high school textbooks announced recently that they would eliminate references to evolution from their books. Main Page known as the Society for Textbook Revise (STR) is an unofficial body that is an offshoot of the Korea Association for Creation Research which is the driving force behind the campaign. The STR has scored its first victory by removing from textbooks the evidence of the evolution and ancestor of an avian, the Archeopteryx. It is now focusing on removing snippets of Darwin's notorious finch research and on human evolution too.
STR claims to have the support of around 4,000 families and individuals. Its mission is to cut out what it believes is the "atheist materialism" that paints an unhopeful worldview for students. It also seeks to counter the influence of American creationists in the United States. A survey of the newest biology teachers revealed that a majority 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 seminars and lectures in the past. It also publishes a bimonthly magazine called Creation and the book. One of these was a textbook on natural sciences that had a creationist perspective. This sparked 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 to students today.
On August 6 and 7 in 1993, the same day that the World Expo opened in Daejeon, KACR held a second International Symposium on Creation Research. Six lecturers from the world, including ICR's John Morris, Duane Gish and Steven Austin spoke to audiences of a few thousand. KACR and its members have been giving lectures on creation science at major seminaries too. KACR plans to establish a Creation Science Education Center in the near future.