Evolution Korea
In the past, the Korean scientific community avoided engaging with creationists for fear of giving the movement more credence. But silence is no any longer an option.
The STR has been fighting to remove content from textbooks that describe evolution, including the discovery of the feathered dinosaur Archaeopteryx as an ancestral bird's ancestor. 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 changes in the genetic traits of living organisms over time. The theory is based on the fact that living things adapt to their environments which can result in changes in genes or even whole genomes. Over many generations, these changes can lead to the emergence new species. Natural selection is the predominant theory of evolution. It explains how people with traits that are advantageous survive and reproduce more than those with less favorable traits. This differing reproduction may be a catalyst to the creation and evolution of new species.
The word "evolution" originates from Latin for unrolling or revealing has been used in many different ways as the concept has evolved in both science and elsewhere. Early evolutionists like 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 student, embryologist Etienne Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire, to describe this idea. Charles Lyell, who published the second volume of his Principles of Geology in 1833 opposed this notion and borrowed the term "evolution" from Geoffroy's student to describe the notion that existing species change into new species in an orderly and predictable manner.
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. Over time, genetic variability can cause a population to acquire new physical traits or biological functions. The change in gene frequencies is known as natural selection and it is the main driver of evolutionary changes. Changes that are not genetic, like an increase in muscle mass from exercise or diet, cannot be considered to be evolutionary because they aren't passed down to the next generation.
Creationists are using the argument that evolution is controversial even though it has been proven to be true by thousands of scientific tests and that it has been tested over time. They claim that the theory should not be taught in schools. In South Korea, creationists have had a few wins in their efforts to eliminate evolution from high-school textbooks and have also gotten rid of any references to the evolutionary history of humans and the Archaeopteryx, a feathered dinosaur thought to be an ancestral bird's parent.
Why is Evolution Important?
Evolution explains the origins of Earth and all living species. It is one of the fundamentals of biology, and aids scientists understand how living things work and develop. Evolution also shows how different species are linked. Scientists study evolution to understand the natural world and to make useful discoveries including the development of new drugs.
The evidence for evolution of biological species is overwhelming. No other scientific theory explains more about the universe and life on this planet. 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 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 people have found ways to reconcile their beliefs with the theory of evolution. Certain Christians for instance believe that God created everything through evolution, and that humans share an ancestral connection to other animals.
It is important for science educators to advocate for the teaching of evolution. In certain countries, the anti-evolution movement has been growing. In the United States some states have taken measures to restrict 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 pushing for the removal of textbook content about the evolution of horses as well as the avian ancestor Archaeopteryx.
While these are disturbing developments, it is important to remember that the evidence for 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 support the theory of evolution. The reasons for this support vary. Certain scientists study evolution in order to discover practical solutions such as the development of new medicines and other treatments, while others use it to improve the lives of animals and plant species, mostly to benefit humans. Some scientists are simply curious, whereas others have an intense belief in God.
What is Creationism?
Creationists are people who believe that God created the universe and all that is in it. They also believe the Bible is God's word and should be taken literally. While some creationists are not Christian, they are a majority. Creationists are typically divided into two categories: Young Earth Creationists (YEC) or old earth creationists.
The YECs are the best known type of creationist, and 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 the life on Earth started only recently.
OECs aren't as known However, their beliefs are just as passionate as the YECs. OECs believe that the universe and Earth are billions-of-years old and believe that evolution is a myth.
Both forms of creationism deny that scientific principles like natural selection and abiogenesis can explain the origins of life on Earth. They argue that evolution is impossible because it would require an extraordinary event, and that the founders of modern science shied away from miracles due to fear that they would lose credibility.
Some creationists believe in naturalistic evolution as well as special creation, and call their position "theistic evolution." This is sometimes known as "continuous creationism" or "evolution from created kinds." In this belief system, God creates the original species and allows them to change over time. Eventually these evolutionary changes will produce new species that are like the original ones.
Other creationists hold that God created the universe and all living things in one event, known as the Great Flood. They believe that all the species of the beginning were created at the same moment and that they gradually evolved. They reject the concept of abiogenesis and assert that self-replicating life can't come from nonliving matter.
In general, creationists oppose teaching evolution at schools. Numerous professional associations, such as the National Science Teachers Association and the Association for Science Teacher Education endorse 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 creationism and evolution to be included in their curriculum.
What exactly is Creationism in Korea?
When people think of creationism, they often think of the United States. However, South Korea is also the home of an anti-evolutionist movement. The publishers of high school textbooks announced last week that they would eliminate the mention of evolution in their editions. 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 won its first victory in taking away instances of the evolution of the horse and an avian ancestor called the Archeopteryx, from textbooks. It is now focusing on removing excerpts from Darwin's notorious finch research as well as on human evolution as well.
STR claims to have the support of 4,000 families and individual members. The goal, according to STR, is to rid the world of what it calls "atheist materialism" that paints a negative view for students. It also aims to counteract the influence of American creationists who live in the US. 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 has achieved a lot through its lectures and seminars in the past. It has a bimonthly news magazine, Creation, and has published books. One of these was a textbook on natural science with a creationist stance. It sparked interest among college communities. In 1991, a professor along with a minister, began teaching Creation Science at one university. It is still taught here in the present.
On August 6th and 7th of 1993, KACR hosted a second International Symposium on Creation Research. It was held in conjunction with the opening of the World Expo in Daejeon. Six lecturers from outside the country, 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 at major seminaries as well. KACR plans to establish a Creation Science Education Center in the near future.