Evolution Korea
In the past, Korea's scientific community has been hesitant to engage with creationists, afraid that doing so could give the movement more credibility. However, silence is no 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. But this is merely one aspect of the evolution of the developmental paradigm.
What is Evolution?
Evolution is a theory of science that explains changes in genetic traits over time. The theory is based on the fact that living organisms adjust to their environment, which may result in changes to genes or whole genomes. These changes can over many generations lead to the emergence of new species. Natural selection is the predominant theory of evolution. It describes how individuals with traits that are advantageous are more likely to reproduce and survive than those with less advantageous traits. As time passes, this difference in reproduction can lead to the development of entirely new species.
The word "evolution" originates from Latin for revealing or unrolling has been used in many different ways as the concept has developed, both in science as well as elsewhere. Some early evolutionists, including Jean Baptiste de Lamarck and Erasmus Darwin (Charles's grandfather), believed that existing species changed into other species in a planned manner. The term"transmutation" was coined by Lamarck's disciple embryologist Etienne Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire to describe this idea. Charles Lyell, in his Principles of Geology, published in 1833, criticized the idea of evolution and borrowed the term from Geoffroy's student.
Evolutionary biologists define evolution more recently as a process through which living creatures develop traits to increase their chances of survival or conceiving offspring. As time passes, genetic variation can cause a population to acquire new physical characteristics or biological functions. Natural selection is the main force behind most evolutionary changes. However non-genetic changes like increases in muscle mass due to exercise or diet cannot be considered examples of evolution because they are not inherited by future generations.
Creationists have a tendency to use the argument that evolution is controversial, even though it has been proven accurate by thousands of scientific tests and it has been tested over time. They claim that the theory shouldn't be taught at school. In South Korea, creationists have had a few wins in their fight to remove evolution from high-school textbooks which includes the removal of references to the evolutionary history of humans, as well as the Archaeopteryx, a feathered dinosaur believed to be the ancestral bird's ancestor.
Why is Evolution Important?
Evolution is the explanation for the origins of Earth and all living species. It also serves as a basis of biology and helps scientists to learn how living organisms function and grow. Evolution also shows the connections between different species. Scientists study evolution to better comprehend nature and make valuable discoveries such as new treatments.
The evidence for evolution is overwhelming. No other scientific theory can explain as much about the universe as the life on our planet. It has been thoroughly examined and confirmed for many years. Many people, including some religious leaders, believe in the scientific theory of evolution. It is important to understand that evolutionary biology does not interfere with religions, since the theory only deals with things, events and processes in the physical world.
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 that science educators stand up for teaching evolution. Unfortunately, in some countries around the globe the anti-evolution movement is growing. In the United States some states have taken steps to limit teaching 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 textbooks that cover the evolutionary history of horses and their Avian ancestor Archaeopteryx.
While these are troubling developments, it is also important to keep in mind 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. Other scientists independently confirm the evidence.
The vast majority of scientists agree with 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 or enhancing existing ones. Others do this to improve the quality of animal and plant species, mostly to benefit of humans. Some scientists are simply curious, whereas others have a strong religious belief 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 interpreted in a literal manner. Many creationists are Christians however, not all. Creationists generally fall in two categories: Young Earth creationists (YEC) and old earth creationists (OEC).
The most common type of creationist is the YEC. They believe that God created the universe in the exact way that is described in the Bible. They believe that the biblical account of the six days of creation is literal and that the universe and life on Earth was created only recently.
OECs are less well known however they're just as passionate about their beliefs as YECs. OECs believe that the universe and all life on Earth are billions of years old and that evolution is a myth.
Both types of creationism deny that scientific principles such as natural selection and abiogenesis could explain the origins of life on Earth. They argue that evolution isn't possible because it requires an extraordinary event, and that the founders of modern science rejected miracles out of fear that they would lose credibility.
Some creationists accept both naturalistic evolution and special creation, and refer to their belief "theistic evolution." This is also referred to as "continuous evolutionism" or the "evolution of species created." In this theory, God creates the original species and then allows them to evolve over time. In the end these evolutionary changes will create new species that are like the original ones.
Some creationists believe that God created all living things and the universe in one event called the Great here Flood. These creationists hold that all the original species were created at the same moment and then gradually evolved. They deny the notion of abiogenesis and claim that self-replicating life can't come from nonliving matter.
In general, 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. Some scientists and educational institutions are, however, more flexible and permit both creationism and evolution to be incorporated into their curricula.
What is Creationism?
When people think of creationism, they often think of the United States. However, South Korea is also the home of an anti-evolutionist movement. Publishers of high-school textbooks announced last week that they will remove the mention of evolution in their textbooks. A group known as the Society for Textbook Revise (STR) is an independent organization that is an offshoot of the Korea Association for Creation Research which is the driving force behind the campaign. The STR has won its first victory by removing from textbooks the evidence of the evolution and ancestor of the avian, called the Archeopteryx. Its sights are now set on the removal of excerpts from Darwin's notorious finch research as well as on human evolution too.
STR claims to have the support of around 4000 families and individuals. Its aim is to root out what it regards as the "atheist materialism" that creates a bleak worldview for students. It also seeks to counter the influence of American creationists in the country. A survey of biology students teachers found that about half do not believe in the concept of evolution. The reasons for this aren't entirely clear, but could include religious beliefs or the lack of creation scientists in the United States.
The KACR has achieved a lot through its seminars and lectures in the past. It publishes a bimonthly news magazine, Creation, and has published books. The most notable of these is a text on the natural sciences that has an orthodox creationist perspective, which sparked interest in college communities. In 1991, a professor and minister began teaching Creation Science in one university, and it continues to be taught until today.
On August 6 and 7 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 around the world including ICR's John Morris, Duane Gish, and Steven Austin spoke to audiences of a few thousand. KACR and its members have given talks on creation science at major seminaries as well. KACR is planning to create a Creation Science Education Center.