Evolution Korea
For a long time the scientific community in Korea has been hesitant to engage with creationists, afraid that doing so might boost the credibility of the group. However, silence is no anymore an option.
The STR has been campaigning to remove content from textbooks that describe evolution, such as the discovery of the feathered dinosaur Archaeopteryx as an early bird's ancestor. This is only one aspect of the way in which the development paradigm has evolved.
What is Evolution?
Evolution is a scientific theory that explains the evolution of genetic characteristics of living organisms over time. The theory is based upon the fact that living organisms adapt to their environment, which could lead to variations in genes or whole genomes. These changes can, over generations result in the development of new species. Natural selection is the most popular theory of evolution. It describes how individuals with traits that are advantageous survive and reproduce more than those with less favorable traits. As time passes, this difference in reproduction could lead to the development of completely new species.
The word "evolution", which comes from the Latin for unrolling or revealing has been used in many different ways as the concept has developed in both science and elsewhere. Some early evolutionists, like Jean Baptiste de Lamarck and Erasmus Darwin (Charles's grandfather) believed that existing species changed into other species in a certain way. The term"transmutation" was coined by Lamarck's disciple embryologist Etienne Geoffroy Saint Hilaire, to describe this idea. Charles Lyell, who published the second volume of his Principles of Geology in 1833 challenged this notion and borrowed the term "evolution" from Geoffroy's student to describe the idea that species are evolving into new species in a gradual and predictable way.
Evolutionary biologists define evolution more recently as a process by which living creatures develop traits to improve their chances of surviving or producing offspring. Over time, genetic variability can cause a population develop new physical traits or biological functions. The variation in gene frequencies is known as natural selection and it is the main driver of evolutionary change. Changes that are not genetic, like an increase in muscle mass from exercise or diet, cannot be considered evolution because they aren't passed on to the next generation.
Creationists make the argument that evolution is controversial, even though it has been proven valid by a multitude of scientific tests and it has been tested over time. They claim that the theory should not be taught at 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 an ancestor of birds.
Why is Evolution Important?
Evolution explains how the Earth and all living species came to be. It is also one of the foundations of biology, and helps scientists to understand how living things function and grow. Evolution also reveals the relationships between species. Scientists study evolution in order to better comprehend nature and make important discoveries such as new medicines.
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 verified over a long period of time. Many people, including religious leaders, support the theory of evolution as a scientific fact. It is important to remember that evolutionary biology does not contradict religious beliefs because it only focuses on physical objects, events, and processes.
In reality, many religious people have come up with 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 a common ancestry to other animals.
It is essential for science educators to advocate for the teaching of evolution. Unfortunately, in a few countries around the world, anti-evolution sentiment is growing. In the United States some states have taken steps to limit teaching of 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 urging the removal of textbooks about the evolution of horses and the avian ancestral Archaeopteryx.
Although these are alarming developments, it is important to remember 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. The evidence is also independently verified by other scientists.
The majority of scientists supports the theory of evolution. The reasons for this support are diverse. Some scientists study evolution in order to make practical discoveries such as developing new medicines, while others do so to improve the lives of animals and plant species, typically to benefit of humans. Some are simply curious, and still others have a deep religious belief in God and are seeking to know how the universe works.
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 as such. While some creationists are not Christian however, many are. Creationists generally fall into one of two categories: Young Earth creationists (YEC) and old earth creationists (OEC).
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. YECs hold that the biblical account of the first six days of creation was true and that the universe as well as life on Earth were only created recently.
OECs are less well known, but 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 myth.
Both forms of creationism deny the scientific theories that biogenesis and natural selection can explain how life began on Earth. They claim that evolution isn't possible because it requires the creation of a miracle, and the scientists who founded modern science rejected miracles out of fear of losing credibility.
Some creationists accept naturalistic evolutionary and also special creation. They call their view “theistic evolution.†This is also known as "continuous evolutionism" or the "evolution of species created." This theory states that God creates original species and allows them to change over time. Eventually the evolutionary changes produce new species that are like the original ones.
Some creationists believe that God created all living things and the universe in one event called the Great Flood. They believe that the original species were created simultaneously, and that they grew slowly afterwards. They deny the notion of abiogenesis and assert that self-replicating living cannot come from non-living matter.
In general, the creationists oppose teaching evolution in schools. This position is supported by a myriad of professional associations 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. Certain scientists and educational institutions are, however, more flexible and allow creationism and evolution to be incorporated into their curriculum.
What is Creationism in Korea?
When people think check here of the concept of creationism, a lot think of the United States. However, South Korea is also the home of an anti-evolutionist movement. The publishers of high school textbooks have recently announced that they will eliminate references to evolution from their editions. A group called the Society for Textbook Revise (STR), an independent body that is an offshoot of the Korea Association for Creation Research which is the driving force behind the campaign. The STR has scored its first victory by removing from textbooks evidence of the evolution and ancestor of the bird, the Archeopteryx. The next step is to eliminate the finch-research of Darwin's famed as well as on human evolution.
STR claims that it has the support of 4,000 families and individual members. Its mission is to cut out what it believes is the "atheist materialism" that reflects a hopeless worldview for students. It also seeks to counter the influence of American Creationists across the country. A survey of biology students teachers revealed that a majority do not believe in evolution. The reasons aren't clear, but could include religious beliefs or the lack of creation scientists in the United States.
The KACR has achieved a lot through its seminars and lectures in the past. It publishes a bimonthly magazine, Creation, and has published books. One of them is a textbook on the natural sciences with an evolutionary perspective that attracted the attention of college communities. In 1991, a professor and minister began teaching Creation Science in one university and it is taught to this day.
On August 6 and 7 the 7th of August 1993, which coincided with the World Expo opened in Daejeon, KACR held a second International Symposium on Creation Research. Six lecturers from abroad including ICR's John Morris and Steven Austin addressed an audience of several thousand. KACR and its members have been delivering lectures on creation science at major seminaries as well. KACR is planning to create a Creation Science Education Center.