Evolution Korea
Up until recently the Korean scientific community was hesitant about engaging with creationists for fear of giving the movement more credence. Silence is no longer a viable option.
The STR has been fighting to get the content on evolution from textbooks, including the discovery that the feathered Archaeopteryx was an ancestral bird. This is only one aspect of how the development paradigm has changed.
What is Evolution?
Evolution is a scientific theory that explains the change in the genetic traits of living organisms over time. The theory is based on fact that living organisms adapt to their environments which can result in changes in genes or even complete genomes. These changes can over many generations result in the development of new species. The prevailing theory of evolution is natural selection, which explains the process through which individuals with advantageous characteristics survive and reproduce more frequently than those with disadvantageous characteristics. This variation in reproduction could be a catalyst to the development and emergence of new species.
The word "evolution" originates from the Latin word for unraveling or revealing, however the concept has had a variety of meanings since it took shape in the sciences and in other fields. Early evolutionists like Erasmus Darwin (Charles’s grandfather) and Jean Baptiste de Lamarck believed that species were predetermined to change into another species. The term transmutation was coined by the Lamarck's disciple embryologist Etienne Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire, to describe this view. Charles Lyell, who published the second volume of his Principles of Geology in 1833, attacked this idea and borrowed the term "evolution" from Geoffroy's student to describe the notion that existing species change into new species in a gradual and predictable manner.
More recently evolutionary biologists have defined evolution as a process when living creatures develop characteristics that improve their chances of survival, or their ability to produce offspring. In time this genetic variation can cause the emergence of completely new physical or biological traits in the population. This shift in gene frequency is called natural selection, and is the primary driver behind evolutionary change. However non-genetic changes like increases in the muscle mass as a result of diet or exercise cannot be considered to be examples of evolution because they are not passed on to future generations.
Creationists are using the argument that evolution is controversial even though it has been proven to be accurate by thousands of scientific tests and that it has been tested over time. They argue that the theory shouldn't be taught in schools. In South Korea, creationists won a few victories over evolution in textbooks for high schools. This includes the removal of references about the evolutionary history of humans as well as Archaeopteryx which is a feathered dinosaur believed to be the ancestral bird's first ancestor.
Why is Evolution Important?
Evolution explains the origins and evolution of Earth and all living species. It is also a foundation of biology that helps scientists comprehend how living organisms operate and develop. Evolution also reveals the relationships between different species. Scientists study evolution to better comprehend nature and make valuable discoveries such as new medicines.
The evidence for evolution of biological species is overwhelming. There is no other scientific theory that can explain so many aspects of the universe and life on Earth, and it has been thoroughly tested and confirmed over the course of many years. Many people, even some religious leaders, are in favor of the scientific theory. It is important to note that evolutionary biology doesn't interfere with religious beliefs, since the theory deals only with objects, events and processes in the physical world.
In reality many religious individuals have found ways to reconcile their beliefs with evolutionary theory. For instance some Christians believe that God created the world through evolution and that humans have an ancestral connection with other animals.
It is essential for science educators to support the teaching of evolution. In certain countries, anti-evolution sentiment has been growing. In the United States some states have taken measures to restrict teaching of evolution. In South Korea, a group called 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 on the evolution of horses and the bird ancestral Archaeopteryx.
It is vital to remember that the evidence in support 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 majority of scientists believe in the theory of evolution. The reason for this is a variety of reasons. Some scientists study evolution to discover practical solutions that can lead to the development of new treatments, while others are motivated by an interest in improving the quality of life for animals and plant species, generally for the benefit of humans. Some are simply curious, and still others have a deep faith in God and want to understand how the universe functions.
What is Creationism?
Creationists believe that God created everything in the universe. They also believe that the Bible is the word of God and should be taken seriously. Although Creationists may not all be Christian however, they are a majority. Creationists are generally divided into two groups: Young Earth Creationists (YEC) or old earth creationists.
The YECs are the best known type of creationist and they believe that God created the universe in the exact way described in the Bible. They believe that the biblical account of six days of creation was literal and that the universe and life on Earth were created just recently.
OECs are less well known However, they are as passionate about their beliefs as YECs. OECs believe that the universe and Earth are billions-of-years old and believe that evolution is a lie.
Both types of creationism reject that scientific principles such as biogenesis and natural Evolution KR selection could explain how life came to be on Earth. They claim that evolution is not possible because it would require miracles. The pioneers of modern scientific thought shunned miracles because they feared they might lose their credibility.
Some creationists believe in naturalistic evolution as well as special creation, and refer to their position "theistic evolution." It is sometimes called "continuous creationism" or "evolution from created kinds." This theory states that God creates species from scratch and then allows these to evolve over time. Eventually the evolutionary changes produce new species that are like the original ones.
Others believe that God created the universe and all living things in a single event, known as the Great Flood. Creationists believe that the original species were created at the same time, and that they grew slowly afterward. They also reject the concept of abiogenesis and claim that the creation of self-replicating organisms from nonliving matter is unattainable.
In general, the creationists oppose the teaching of evolution in schools. This is a position that is backed by a myriad of professional associations 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. However, certain academic institutions and scientists are more flexible and permit the inclusion of creationism and evolution in their curricula.
What is Creationism in Korea?
When people think of the concept of creationism most often, they 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 textbooks. A group dubbed 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 evidence of the evolution and ancestor of the avian, the Archeopteryx. It is now focusing on the removal of excerpts from Darwin's notorious finch research and on human evolution, too.
STR claims that it has the support of 4000 families and individuals. Its mission is to cut out what it regards as the "atheist materialism" that creates a bleak worldview for students. It also aims to counteract the influence of American creationists in the United States. A survey of the newest biology teachers found that about half do not believe in the concept of evolution. The causes aren't clear but could be due to religion and the absence of full-time creation scientists across the United States.
The KACR has achieved a lot through its lectures and seminars in the past. It publishes a bimonthly magazine, Creation, and has published books. The most notable of these is a text on the natural sciences with an orthodox creationist perspective, which sparked interest in college communities. In 1991, a professor, together with a minister began teaching Creation Science at one university. It is still taught to students today.
On August 6 and 7, 1993, KACR hosted a second International Symposium on Creation Research. This was held in conjunction with the opening of the World Expo in Daejeon. Six lecturers from abroad including ICR's John Morris, Duane Gish and Steven Austin spoke to audiences of a few thousand. KACR members and KACR have also given lectures on creation science in major seminaries. KACR intends to establish a Creation Science Education Center.