Evolution Korea
In the past, the Korean scientific community avoided engaging with the creationists out of fear of giving the movement more credence. Silence is no longer an option.
The STR has been fighting to eliminate information about evolution from textbooks including the discovery that the feathered Archaeopteryx was an ancestor bird. This is only one aspect of the development paradigm's evolution.
What is Evolution?
Evolution is a concept in science that explains changes in genetic traits over time. The theory is based on the fact that living organisms adjust to their environment, which can lead to variations in genes or whole genomes. Over time the changes could lead to the emergence new species. The most popular theory of evolution is called natural selection, which describes the process by which 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" is derived from the Latin word for unrolling or revealing, but the concept itself has had many different meanings as it has taken form in the fields of science and other fields. Early evolutionists like 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 student, embryologist Etienne Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire to describe this view. 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 evolution more recently as a process in which living creatures develop traits to increase their chances of living or producing offspring. As time passes this genetic variation can cause the emergence of completely new biological functions or physical traits in the population. Such a variation in gene frequencies is called natural selection, and is the primary driver behind evolutionary changes. Non-genetic changes, such as an increase in muscle mass from exercise or diet, can't be considered evolution because they aren't passed down to future generations.
Despite the fact that evolution has stood the test of time and a multitude of scientific studies Creationists have taken advantage of the idea that the theory is controversial to claim that it shouldn't be taught in schools. In South Korea, creationists have won a few victories in their efforts to eliminate evolution from textbooks for high school and have also gotten rid of any references to the evolutionary history of humans as well as the Archaeopteryx, a feathered dinosaur thought to be an ancestral bird's ancestor.
Why is Evolution Important?
Evolution explains the origins and evolution of Earth and all living species. It is also a fundamental part of biology, and aids scientists comprehend how living organisms operate and grow. Evolution also shows how different species are linked. Scientists study evolution to better understand the natural world and to discover useful information like the development of new medicines.
The evidence for evolution is overwhelming. There is no other scientific theory that can explain so much about the universe and life on Earth, and it has been thoroughly tested and confirmed over many years. Many people, including religious leaders, believe in the scientific theory of evolution. It is essential to remember that evolutionary biology does not contradict religious beliefs because it only focuses on physical objects, events, and processes.
Many religious people have discovered a way to reconcile evolution with their beliefs. For instance some Christians believe that God created the universe through evolution and that humans share an ancestral lineage with other animals.
It is essential that science educators advocate for the teaching of evolution. Unfortunately, in a few nations around the world there is a growing anti-evolutionist sentiment. In the United States, efforts to restrict the teaching of evolution have made progress in a few states. 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 urging the removal of textbook content on the evolution of horses as well as the Avian ancestral Archaeopteryx.
While these are disturbing changes, it's important to keep in mind that the evidence for evolution is overwhelming. The evidence for evolution comes from many sources, including fossils, genetics, and even the behavior of living creatures. Other scientists independently verify the evidence.
The vast majority of scientists supports the theory of evolution. The reasons behind this belief are diverse. Certain scientists study evolution to make practical discoveries such as the development of new medicines, while others do so to improve the quality of animal and plant species, mostly to benefit humans. Some scientists are simply curious, while others have an intense belief 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 literally. Many creationists are Christians, but not all. Creationists are typically divided into two categories: Young Earth Creationists (YEC) or old earth creationists.
YECs are the most well known form of creationist, and they believe that God created the universe exactly as described in the Bible. They believe that the biblical account of the six days of creation is literal and that the universe and life on Earth were created just recently.
OECs are not as well-known however they are as committed to their beliefs as YECs. OECs believe that the universe and life on Earth are billions of years old and they believe that evolution is an untruth.
Both types of creationism deny that scientific principles such as natural selection and abiogenesis can explain the origins of life on Earth. They argue that evolution is impossible, because it requires miracles. The founders of modern scientific thought resisted miracles because they feared they could lose their credibility.
Some creationists believe in both naturalistic evolution and special creation, and refer to their view "theistic evolution." This is also known as "continuous evolutionism" or the "evolution of the created species." This theory states that God creates original species and then allows them to change over time. In the end the evolutionary changes produce new species that are identical to the original species.
Some creationists believe that God created all living things and the universe in a single event known as the Great Flood. They believe that the first species were created at the same time and that they grew gradually afterward. They reject the concept of abiogenesis and claim that self-replicating life can't come from nonliving matter.
In general, the creationists are against teaching evolution at schools. This position is supported by numerous professional organizations which include 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 scientists and educational institutions are more flexible and allow the inclusion of both evolution and creationism in their curricula.
What exactly is Creationism in Korea?
When people think of creationism typically think of the United States. However, South Korea is also home to an anti-evolutionist movement. Publishers of high-school textbooks recently announced that they would remove references to evolution in their books. A group dubbed the Society for Textbook Revise (STR) is an independent organization that is an offshoot of the Korea Association for Creation Research and has been the driving force behind the move. The STR has scored its first victory by removing from textbooks evidence of the evolution and ancestor of an avian, the Archeopteryx. Its sights are now set on removing excerpts from Darwin's notorious finch research as well as on human evolution too.
STR claims that it has the backing of 4,000 families and individual members. Its mission is to cut out what it regards as the "atheist materialism" that paints an unhopeful worldview for students. It also aims at countering the influence of American Creationists in the United States. A survey of undergraduates studying biology revealed that a majority of them didn't believe in evolution. The causes are not certain, but could be related to religious beliefs or the absence of creation scientists in the US.
The KACR has achieved a lot through its lectures and seminars in the past. It publishes a bimonthly magazine, Creation, and has published books. Among these is a textbook on the natural sciences, with a creationist viewpoint, which attracted the attention of college communities. In 무료 에볼루션 , a minister and professor began teaching Creation Science in one university, and it is taught to this day.
On August 6th and 7th of 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 foreign lecturers, including ICR's John Morris and Steven Austin, spoke to an audience of several thousand. KACR and its members have been delivering talks on creation science at major seminaries too. KACR intends to establish a Creation Science Education Center.