Evolution Korea
Up until recently the Korean scientific community avoided working with creationists due to the fear of giving the movement more credibility. The silence is no longer a viable option.
The STR has been fighting to get evolution-related content from textbooks, including the discovery that the feathered Archaeopteryx was an ancestral bird. But this is merely one aspect of the evolution of the developmental paradigm.
What is Evolution?
The theory of evolution is a scientific one that explains the change in the genetic traits of living organisms over time. The theory is based on the fact that living organisms adapt to their environment which can result in changes in genes or even complete genomes. These changes can over many generations result in the development of new species. Natural selection is the dominant theory of evolution. It explains how individuals with traits that are advantageous are more likely to reproduce and survive than those with less advantageous traits. This differential reproduction can be a catalyst to the creation and evolution of 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 changed, both in science and in other fields. Some early evolutionists, like Jean Baptiste de Lamarck and Erasmus Darwin (Charles's grandfather) believed that existing species evolved into new species in a certain way. Etienne Geoffroy St.Hilaire was Lamarck's embryologist student who came up with the term "transmutation" 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.
Recently evolutionary biologists have defined evolution as a process that occurs when living things develop characteristics that enhance their chances of survival or ability to reproduce offspring. Over time, genetic variability can cause a population develop new physical characteristics or biological functions. Natural selection is the mechanism that triggers the most evolutionary changes. Non-genetic changes, such as an increase in muscle mass from exercise or diet, can't be considered to be evolution since they aren't passed on to the next generation.
Despite the fact that evolution has withstood the test of time and a multitude of scientific studies, creationists have seized on the idea that evolution is controversial and argue that it shouldn't be taught in schools. In South Korea, creationists won some victories against evolution in high school textbooks. This includes the removal of all references about the evolutionary origins for humans as well as Archaeopteryx - a feathered dino which is believed to be the bird's ancestor.
Why is Evolution Important for Humanity?
Evolution explains the origins of Earth and all living species. It is also a foundation 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 understand the natural world and to make useful discoveries like the development of new treatments.
The evidence for biological evolution is overwhelming. No other scientific theory explains more about the universe and life on our planet. It has been thoroughly scrutinized and confirmed for a number of years. Many people, including some religious leaders, are in favor of the theory of evolution as a scientific fact. It is important to understand that evolutionary biology doesn't interfere with religions, since the theory only deals with things, events and processes in the physical world.
Many religious people have found a way to reconcile evolution with their convictions. Certain Christians for instance believe that God created everything through evolution and that humans have a common ancestry to other animals.
It is essential that science educators advocate for teaching evolution. Unfortunately, in some countries around the globe there is a growing anti-evolutionist sentiment. In the United States some states have taken measures to restrict teaching of evolution. In South Korea, a group known as the Society for Textbook Revise (STR) which is an offshoot from the Korea Association for Creation Research, is campaigning for the elimination of textbook content about the evolution of horses as well as the avian ancestor Archaeopteryx.
Although these are alarming developments, it is also important to keep in mind that the evidence for evolution is overwhelming. The evidence comes from a diverse variety of sources, including fossils, genetic studies and the behavior of living organisms. Other scientists independently confirm the evidence.
The majority of scientists support the theory of evolution. The reasons for this support vary. Scientists study evolution in order to make practical discoveries, such as developing new drugs and other treatments, while others use it to improve the lives of animals and plant species, typically to benefit humans. Some scientists are simply curious, while others hold a an intense faith in God.
What is Creationism?
Creationists believe that God created all things in the universe. They also believe that the Bible is the word of God and should be taken as such. While not all creationists are Christian but many are. Creationists are usually divided into two categories: Young Earth Creationists (YEC) or old earth creationists.
The most popular 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 creation's six days is true and that the universe and life on Earth started only recently.
OECs are not as well-known, but they are just as committed to their beliefs as 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 natural selection and biogenesis can explain how life began on Earth. They claim that evolution is not possible because it would require an extraordinary event, and that the scientists who founded modern science shied away from miracles due to fear of losing credibility.
Some creationists accept naturalistic evolutionary and also special creation, and consider their views to be "theistic evolution." This is sometimes also known as "continuous creationism" or "evolution from created kinds." The theory suggests that God creates original species and then allows these to evolve over time. Eventually, these evolutionary changes will result in new species identical to the original species.
Some creationists believe that God created all living things and the universe in one event known as the Great Flood. These creationists hold that all species were created at the same moment and that they gradually evolved. They also deny the notion of abiogenesis, and argue that the self-replicating creation of organisms from nonliving matter is not possible.
In general, the creationists oppose the teaching of evolution at schools. This is a position that is backed by numerous professional organizations such as the National Science Teachers Association, the Association for Science Teacher Education as well as 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 incorporated into their curriculum.
What exactly is Creationism in Korea?
When people think of the concept of creationism, a lot think of the United States. South Korea also has an anti-evolutionist group. The publishers of high school textbooks announced recently that they will remove references to evolution from their editions. A group known as the Society for Textbook Revise (STR), an independent body that is an offshoot of the Korea Association for Creation Research and has been the driving force behind the move. The STR has achieved its first victory by removing from textbooks examples of the evolution and ancestor of the bird, the Archeopteryx. The next step is to remove excerpts from Darwin’s infamous finch-research as well as on human evolution.
STR claims to have the support of 4,000 families and individual members. Its goal is to weed out what it sees as the "atheist materialism" that paints an unhopeful worldview for students. It also seeks to counter the influence of American creationists in the country. A survey of biology students teachers revealed that around half do not believe in evolution. The reasons aren't evident, but they could be due to religious beliefs or the lack of creation scientists in the US.
The KACR has achieved a lot through its seminars and 에볼루션 블랙잭 lectures in the past. It publishes a bimonthly magazine, Creation, and has published books. One of these was a textbook on natural science with a cosmological perspective. This led to an interest among college communities. In 1991, a professor along with a minister began teaching Creation Science at one university. It is still taught in the present.
On August 6-7 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 abroad including ICR's John Morris and Steven Austin, spoke to a crowd of more than a thousand. KACR members and KACR have also presented lectures on creation science in prestigious seminaries. KACR plans to establish a Creation Science Education Center.