Evolution Korea
For a long time, the Korean scientific community avoided engaging with creationists for fear of giving the movement more credence. But silence is no longer an option.
The STR has been fighting to get rid of textbooks that discuss evolution, such as the discovery of the feathered dinosaur Archaeopteryx as an early bird's ancestor. This is only one aspect of the evolution of the development paradigm.
What is Evolution?
Evolution is a theory of science that explains the evolution of genetic characteristics over time. The theory is based upon the fact that living creatures adapt to their environment, which can lead to variations in genes or whole genomes. These changes can over many generations result in the development of new species. Natural selection is the most popular 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. In time, this disparity in reproduction can result in the creation of completely new species.
The word "evolution", which comes from Latin for unrolling or revealing has been used in many different ways as the concept has changed in both science and in other fields. Some early evolutionists, including Jean Baptiste de Lamarck and Erasmus Darwin (Charles's grandfather) believed that the existing species evolved into new species in a certain way. Etienne Geoffroy St-Hilaire, Lamarck's embryologist student who coined the term "transmutation" to describe this view. Charles Lyell, in his Principles of Geology, published in 1833, attacked the idea of evolution, and borrowed the term from Geoffroy’s student.
More recently, evolutionary biologists have defined evolution as a process that occurs when living organisms develop traits that enhance their chances of survival, or their ability to reproduce offspring. Over time this genetic variation can cause the emergence of entirely new biological functions or physical traits in the same population. The variation in gene frequencies is known as natural selection and is the primary driver behind 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.
Creationists are using the argument that evolution is controversial, despite the fact that it has been proven accurate by thousands of scientific tests and it has stood the test of time. They claim that the concept should not be taught in schools. In South Korea, creationists won some victories against evolution in textbooks for high schools. This includes the removal of references to the evolutionary roots of humans as well as Archaeopteryx - a feathered dino which is believed to be the bird's ancestor.
Why is Evolution Important to Humanity?
Evolution explains how Earth and all its living creatures came into existence. It is also one of the foundations of biology, and aids scientists to understand how living things function and grow. Evolution also demonstrates how different species are connected. Scientists study evolution to better understand the natural world, and to make useful discoveries like the development of new drugs.
The evidence for evolution of biological species is overwhelming. There is no other scientific theory that can explain so much about the universe and life on Earth, and it has been rigorously tested and confirmed over a long period of time. Many people, including religious leaders, are in favor 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.
In reality many religious people have found ways to reconcile their beliefs with evolutionary theory. For example certain Christians believe that God created the world through evolution and that humans share an ancestral lineage with other animals.
It is crucial 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 steps to limit teaching 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 pushing for the removal of textbooks about the evolution of horses as well as the Avian ancestral Archaeopteryx.
It is vital to remember, however, that the evidence in favor of 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 reasons behind this belief vary. Some scientists study evolution to make practical discoveries, such as developing new medicines and other treatments, while others use it to improve the quality of animal and plant species, usually for the benefit of humans. Some scientists are just curious, whereas others have a strong religious belief in God.
What is Creationism?
Creationists are people who believe that God created the universe and everything within it. They also believe that the Bible is the word of God and should be taken literally. Many creationists are Christians However, not all. Creationists are typically divided into two categories: 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 exactly the manner described in the Bible. YECs hold that the biblical account of the first six days of creation was literal and that the universe and the life on Earth were only created recently.
OECs aren't as known However, their beliefs are just as passionate like the YECs. OECs believe that the universe and all life on Earth are billions of years old and that evolution is an untruth.
Both types of creationism deny that scientific theories such as natural selection and abiogenesis are able to explain the origins of life on Earth. They claim that evolution is impossible, because it requires miracles. The pioneers of modern science shunned miracles out of fear they might lose their credibility.
Some creationists accept naturalistic evolution as well as special creation and refer to their belief as "theistic evolution.†This is sometimes also referred to as "continuous creationism" or "evolution from the original species." In this view, God creates the original species and allows them to change over time. These evolutionary changes eventually will result in new species similar to the original.
Others believe that God created the universe and all living things in one event, called the Great Flood. They believe that the original species were created at the same time and that they evolved gradually afterward. They reject the concept of abiogenesis and assert that self-replicating living cannot come from non-living matter.
In general, the creationists are against teaching evolution at schools. This is a position that is backed by a variety of professional organizations, website including the National Science Teachers Association, the Association for Science Teacher Education and the American Anthropological Association, and the Geological Society of America. Some academic institutions and scientists are, however, more flexible and permit both evolution and creationism to be included in their curricula.
What is Creationism?
When people think of the concept of creationism most often, they think of the United States. South Korea also has an anti-evolution group. Publishers of high-school textbooks announced recently that they would remove the mention of evolution in their textbooks. 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. The STR has achieved its first victory by removing from textbooks evidence of the evolution and ancestor of an bird, the Archeopteryx. The next goal is to remove portions of Darwin's notorious finch-research and also on human evolution.
STR claims to have the support of around 4,000 families and individuals. Its mission, it states is to cleanse the world of what it calls "atheist materialism" which paints an image of students as being negative. It also hopes to combat the influence of American creationists who live in the US. A survey of undergraduates studying biology revealed that half of them did not believe in evolution. The causes aren't clear however, they could be related to religion and the absence of full-time creation scientists in the country.
The KACR accomplished a number of things through its lectures and seminars in the past. It also publishes a bimonthly magazine called Creation and an ebook. Among these is a textbook on the natural sciences that has an orthodox creationist perspective, which has sparked interest among college students. In 1991 the year 1991, a minister and professor started teaching Creation Science in one university, and it is taught to this day.
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 outside the country including ICR's John Morris and Steven Austin presented to a crowd of more than a thousand. KACR members and KACR have also given talks on the subject of creation science at major seminaries. KACR plans to create a Creation Science Education Center in the near future.