Evolution Korea
Until recently the Korean scientific community avoided engaging with creationists, afraid that it could increase the credibility of the movement. The silence is no longer an option.
The STR has been fighting to remove evolution-related content from textbooks, including the discovery that the feathered Archaeopteryx was an ancestral bird. This is only one aspect of the evolution of the development paradigm.
What is Evolution?
The theory of evolution is a scientific one that explains the changes in genetic characteristics of living organisms over time. The theory is based on the fact that living creatures adapt to their environment, which can lead to variations in genes or whole genomes. Over the course of many generations these changes could result in the emergence of new species. The prevailing theory of evolution is called natural selection, which describes the process that allows individuals with advantageous characteristics survive and reproduce more frequently than those with disadvantages. In time, this disparity in reproduction can lead to the emergence of completely new species.
The word "evolution" comes from the Latin word for unrolling or revealing, but the concept has had a variety of meanings as it has taken form in the fields of science and in other fields. Early evolutionists such as Erasmus Darwin (Charles’s grandfather) and Jean Baptiste de Lamarck believed that species were predetermined to evolve into a different species. 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 concept of evolution and borrowed the term from Geoffroy's student.
Evolutionary biologists define evolution more recently as a process by which living creatures develop traits to improve their chances of surviving or producing offspring. In time, genetic variation can lead a population to acquire new physical characteristics or biological functions. The shift in gene frequency is known as natural selection and it drives most evolutionary changes. However other changes that are not genetic, such as the increase in muscle mass due to diet or exercise can't be considered examples of evolution since they are not inherited by the next generation.
Despite the fact that evolution has stood the test of time and a multitude of scientific studies, creationists have seized on the idea that evolution is controversial and argue that it should not be taught in school. In South Korea, creationists have won a few victories in their efforts to eliminate evolution from textbooks for high school which includes the removal of references to the evolutionary roots of humans, as well as the Archaeopteryx, a feathered dinosaur that is thought to be the ancestor of birds.
Why is Evolution Important for Humanity?
Evolution explains how Earth and all its living species came to be. It also serves as a basis of biology and helps scientists learn how living organisms function and develop. Evolution also shows how different species are linked. Scientists study evolution to better understand nature and make useful discoveries, such as the development of new drugs.
The evidence for evolution is overwhelming. No other scientific theory can explain as much about the universe and the life on earth. It has been rigorously 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 crucial to keep in mind that evolutionary biology doesn't contradict religious beliefs because it only deals with physical objects, events, and processes.
Many religious people have discovered a way to reconcile evolution with their beliefs. For instance certain Christians believe that God created the universe through evolution and that humans have an ancestry with other animals.
It is essential for scientists to advocate for the teaching of evolution. In some countries, the opposition to evolution has been rising. In the United States some states have taken measures to restrict teaching evolution. In South Korea, a group called the Society for Textbook Revise, an offshoot from the Korea Association for Creation Research (KAC) is a campaign for textbooks to include content on the evolutionary history of horses and their avian ancestor Archaeopteryx.
Although these are alarming changes, it's important to keep in mind that the evidence for evolution is overwhelming. The evidence comes from a broad variety of sources, including fossils, genetic studies and the behavior of living organisms. Other scientists independently confirm the evidence.
The majority of scientists supports the theory of evolution. The reasons for this support vary. Scientists study evolution to discover practical solutions that can lead to the development of new treatments and other treatments, while others are driven by a desire to improve animal and plant species, usually for the benefit of humans. Some scientists are just curious, while others hold a an intense belief in God.
What is Creationism?
Creationists are those who believe that God created the universe and all that is in it. They also believe that the Bible is God's word and should be taken literally. Many creationists are Christians, but not all. Creationists typically fall into two categories: Young Earth creationists (YEC) and old earth creationists (OEC).
The most well-known type of creationist is known as the YEC. They believe that God created the universe in exactly the way described in the Bible. YECs hold that the biblical account of the six days of creation is literal and that the universe and life on Earth were only created recently.
OECs are less well known, but they're just as enthusiastic about their beliefs as YECs. OECs believe that the universe and life on Earth are billions of years old, and they believe that evolution is a myth.
Both types of creationism reject the idea that scientific principles like natural selection and biogenesis can explain how life started on Earth. They assert that evolution is impossible, because it would require miracles. The pioneers of modern scientific thought resisted miracles out of fear they might lose their credibility.
Some creationists believe in naturalistic evolution as well as special creation, and refer to their belief "theistic evolution." This is also known as "continuous evolutionism" or the "evolution of species created." The theory says that God creates species from scratch and then allows these to change over time. These evolution changes will eventually result in new species that are similar to the original.
Some creationists believe that God created all living things and the universe in one event known as the Great Flood. Creationists believe that the first species were created at the same time, and that they developed slowly afterwards. They also deny the notion of abiogenesis and argue that the creation of self-replicating organisms from nonliving matter is impossible.
In general, the creationists are against teaching evolution at schools. Numerous professional organizations, like the National Science Teachers Association and the Association for Science Teacher Education endorse this view and so do the American Anthropological Association and the Geological Society of America. Some academic institutions and scientists are however more flexible and allow both creationism and evolution to be included in their curriculum.
What exactly is Creationism in Korea?
When people think of the concept of creationism, they often think of the United States. South Korea also has an anti-evolutionist group. Publishers of high school textbooks have recently announced that they will remove references to evolution from their books. 에볼루션 블랙잭 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 won its first victory by removing from textbooks evidence of the evolution and ancestor of an bird, the Archeopteryx. It is now focusing on removing excerpts from Darwin's notorious finch research and on human evolution too.
STR claims to have the support of 4000 families and individuals. Its aim is to root out what it believes is the "atheist materialism" that paints an unhopeful worldview for students. It also hopes to combat the influence of American Creationists across the country. A survey of trainees in biology found that half did not believe in evolution. The root causes are unclear however, they could be related to religious beliefs and the lack of full-time creation scientists across the country.
The KACR has achieved a number of things in the past through lectures and seminar events. It publishes a bimonthly news magazine, Creation, and has published books. Among these is a textbook on the natural sciences that has a creationist viewpoint, which sparked interest in college communities. In 1991, a professor and minister started teaching Creation Science in one university and it continues to be taught to this day.
On August 6-7 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 lecturers from the world, including ICR's John Morris, Duane Gish and Steven Austin spoke to audiences of a few thousand. KACR members and KACR have also given talks on creation science in prestigious seminaries. KACR is planning to create a Creation Science Education Center.