Evolution Korea
Up until recently the Korean scientific community avoided engaging with the creationists out of fear of giving the movement more credence. However, silence is no any longer an option.
The STR has been campaigning to remove content from textbooks that discuss 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 changed.
What is Evolution?
Evolution is a theory of science that explains the change in the genetic characteristics of living organisms over time. The theory is based on fact that living things adapt to their environment which can result in changes in genes or even whole genomes. These changes can, over generations lead to the creation of new species. Natural selection is the most popular theory of evolution. It explains how individuals who have advantages are more likely to reproduce and survive than those with disadvantageous ones. This variation in reproduction could, over time, lead to the creation and evolution of new species.
The term "evolution" is derived from Latin for revealing or unrolling, has been used in a variety of different ways as the concept has developed in both science as well as elsewhere. Early evolutionists such as Erasmus Darwin (Charles’s grandfather) and Jean Baptiste de Lamarck believed that species were predetermined to change into a new 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 idea of evolution and borrowed the term from Geoffroy's student.
Evolutionary biologists define it more recently as a process through which living creatures develop traits that increase their chances of living or conceiving offspring. Over time, this genetic variability can cause the emergence of entirely new physical or biological functions in the population. Natural selection is the process that drives the majority of evolutionary changes. Changes that are not genetic, like an increase in muscle mass from exercise or diet, can't be considered to be evolution since they don't pass on to future generations.
Despite the fact that evolution has stood the test of time and thousands of scientific studies Creationists have taken advantage of the idea that evolution is controversial and claim that it shouldn't be taught in school. In South Korea, creationists have won a few victories in their campaign to exclude evolution from high-school textbooks and have also gotten rid of any references to the evolutionary origins of humans, as well as the Archaeopteryx feathered dinosaur thought to be the ancestral bird's parent.
Why is Evolution Important for Humanity?
Evolution is the explanation for the origins of Earth and all living species. It also serves as a basis of biology and helps scientists understand how living organisms work and develop. Evolution also reveals the relationships between species. Scientists study evolution to better understand the natural world, and to discover useful information including the development of new drugs.
The evidence for evolution of biological species is overwhelming. No other scientific theory explains as much about the universe and the life on this planet. It has been rigorously studied and verified for many years. Many people, including religious leaders, are in favor of the scientific theory. It is important to understand that evolutionary biology does not interfere with religions, since the theory only deals with processes, objects, and events within the physical world.
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 have an ancestry that is shared with other animals.
It is essential for scientists to stand up for the teaching of 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 the teaching of evolution. In South Korea, a group known as the Society for Textbook Revise (STR) which is an offshoot of 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 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. The evidence is also independently verified by other scientists.
The majority of scientists support the theory of evolution. The reasons behind this belief are diverse. 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 animal and plants species, typically to benefit of humans. Some are simply curious, while others have a deep religious belief in God and seek to understand how the universe functions.
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. Many creationists are Christians however, not all. Creationists are typically divided into two groups: Young Earth Creationists (YEC) or old earth creationists.
The most popular type of creationist is known as 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 the life on Earth started only recently.
OECs are not as well-known However, they're just as committed to their beliefs as YECs. OECs believe that the universe and life on Earth are billions of years old, and that evolution is an untruth.
Both forms of creationism deny that scientific principles such as biogenesis and natural selection could explain how life began on Earth. They claim that evolution isn't possible because it would require a miracle, and that the founders of modern science rejected miracles out of fear of losing credibility.
Some creationists believe in naturalistic evolution and special creation and refer to their belief as "theistic evolution." This is also referred to as "continuous evolutionism" or the "evolution of created kinds." In this theory, 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.
Other creationists believe that God created the universe and all living things in one event, known as the Great Flood. These creationists believe that the first species were created at the same time and that they evolved gradually afterward. They reject the concept of abiogenesis, and argue that self-replicating living cannot come from non-living matter.
In general, creationists are opposed to the teaching of evolution in schools. This is supported by numerous professional organizations, including the National Science Teachers Association, the Association for Science Teacher Education, the American Anthropological Association, and the Geological Society of America. Certain scientists and educational institutions are however more flexible and permit both creationism and evolution to be incorporated into their curricula.
What exactly is Creationism in Korea?
When people think of creationism most often, they 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 would remove references to evolution from their textbooks. 에볼루션 룰렛 dubbed 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. STR has achieved its first victory by eliminating instances of the evolution of the horse and an avian ancestor called the Archeopteryx from textbooks. Its next target is to eliminate portions of Darwin's notorious finch-research as well as on human evolution.
STR claims to have the support of 4,000 families and individual members. Its aim is to root out what it believes is the "atheist materialism" that creates a bleak worldview for students. It also aims to counteract the influence of American creationists who live in the US. A survey of students in biology revealed that half of them did 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 country.
The KACR has achieved a lot through its seminars and lectures in the past. It publishes a bimonthly magazine called Creation and an ebook. One of them was a textbook on natural sciences that had a creationist perspective. This sparked an interest in the college community. In 1991 the year 1991, a minister and professor started teaching Creation Science in one university and it is taught until today.
On August 6 and 7, 1993, KACR hosted a second International Symposium on Creation Research. The event was held in conjunction with the opening of the World Expo in Daejeon. Six foreign lecturers, including ICR's John Morris and Steven Austin presented 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 create a Creation Science Education Center in the future.