Evolution Korea
Until recently the Korean scientific community refrained from engaging with the creationists, fearing that doing so could give the movement more credibility. However, silence is no anymore an option.
The STR has been campaigning to get rid of textbooks that discuss evolution, such as the discovery of the feathered dinosaur Archaeopteryx as an ancestor of birds. This is only one example of the way in which the development paradigm has evolved.
What is Evolution?
Evolution is a scientific theory that explains the evolution of the genetic characteristics of living organisms over time. The theory is based on the fact that living organisms adapt to their environment, which can result in variations in genes or whole genomes. Over the course of many generations the changes could result in the emergence of new species. The prevailing theory of evolution is called natural selection, which describes the process by which people with advantages survive and reproduce more frequently than those with disadvantages. This variation in reproduction could eventually lead to the emergence and evolution of new species.
The term "evolution", which comes from Latin for revealing or unrolling has been used in many different ways as the concept has evolved, both in science and in other fields. Some early evolutionists, including Jean Baptiste de Lamarck and Erasmus Darwin (Charles's grandfather) believed that existing species changed into other species in a planned manner. Etienne Geoffroy St-Hilaire was Lamarck's embryologist disciple who came up with the term "transmutation" to describe this theory. 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 idea that existing species change into other species in a gradual and predictable way.
Evolutionary biologists define evolution more recently as a process in which living things develop characteristics to increase their chances of survival or conceiving offspring. In time this genetic variation can cause the emergence of entirely new biological functions or physical traits in the same population. Natural selection is the mechanism that triggers most evolutionary changes. However non-genetic changes like increases in muscle mass due to exercise or diet cannot be considered examples of evolution since they are not inherited by future generations.
Despite the fact that evolution has stood the tests of time and thousands of scientific tests however, creationists have taken advantage of the notion that the theory is controversial and argue that it should not 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 mention of the evolutionary roots of humans as well as the Archaeopteryx feathered dinosaur that is thought to be the ancestor of birds.
Why is Evolution Important for Humanity?
Evolution explains the origins of Earth and all living species. It is one of the fundamentals of biology, and helps scientists understand how living things work and grow. Evolution also demonstrates how different species are linked. Scientists study evolution to better understand nature and make useful discoveries, such as the development of new medicines.
The evidence for evolution is overwhelming. There is no other scientific theory that explains so much about the universe as well as life on this planet and has been thoroughly tested and confirmed over the course of many years. Many people, and even religious leaders, are in support of the scientific theory. It is important to remember that evolutionary biology does not interfere with religious beliefs since it only deals with physical objects, events and processes.
In reality many religious people have found ways to reconcile their beliefs with evolution. Some Christians for instance, believe that God created everything through evolution and that humans have an ancestral connection to other animals.
It is essential for scientists to advocate for the teaching of evolution. Unfortunately, in some countries around the world there is a growing anti-evolutionist sentiment. 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, an offshoot of the Korea Association for Creation Research (KAC) is a campaign for textbook content on the evolution of horses and their ancestral avian species Archaeopteryx.
It is vital to remember that the evidence in favor of evolution is overwhelming. The evidence comes from a diverse range of sources, including 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. This support is based on various reasons. Some scientists are studying evolution to make practical discoveries such as the development of new medicines or enhancing existing ones. Others do this to improve the quality of animal and plant species, typically to benefit of humans. Some scientists are just 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 as such. Although some creationists are not Christian but they are a majority. Creationists generally fall into two categories: Young Earth creationists (YEC) and old earth creationists (OEC).
The YECs are the best known form of creationist, and they believe that God created the world in the exact way described in the Bible. They believe that the biblical account of the creation's six days is true, and that the universe and life on Earth was created only recently.
OECs may be less popular, but their beliefs are just as intense like the YECs. OECs believe that the universe and all life on Earth are billions of years old and they believe that evolution is a myth.
Both types of creationism reject the notion that scientific principles such as natural selection and abiogenesis could here explain the origins of life on Earth. They assert that evolution is inconceivable because it would require miracles. The founders of modern science shunned miracles out of fear they could lose their credibility.
Some creationists accept naturalistic evolutionary and also special creation. They call their view “theistic evolution.†This is sometimes referred to as "continuous creationism" or "evolution from created kinds." In this view, God creates the original species, and then allows them to change over time. In the end the evolutionary changes create new species that are similar to the original ones.
Some creationists believe that God created all living things and the universe in a single event known as the Great Flood. These creationists hold that all the species of the beginning were created at the same moment and then slowly evolved. They also reject the idea of abiogenesis and argue that the emergence of self-replicating organisms from nonliving matter is impossible.
In general, creationists oppose teaching evolution at schools. This is a position that is backed by a variety of 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, some researchers and educational institutions are more flexible and allow for the inclusion of creationism and evolution in their curricula.
What is Creationism?
When people think of the concept of the concept of creationism, a lot think of the United States. South Korea also has an anti-evolution group. The publishers of textbooks for high school students have recently declared that they will be removing references to evolution from their books. A group dubbed 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. STR has achieved its first victory by eliminating instances of the evolution of the horse and an avian ancestor called the Archeopteryx from textbooks. It is now focusing on removing snippets of Darwin's notorious finch research as well as on human evolution too.
STR claims to have the support of around 4,000 families and individuals. Its aim is to root out what it regards as the "atheist materialism" that reflects a hopeless worldview for students. It also aims at countering the influence of American Creationists in the nation. A survey of trainee biology teachers revealed that around half do not believe in the concept of evolution. The reasons aren't clear, but could include religious beliefs or the lack of creation scientists in the US.
The KACR has achieved many things in the past through lectures and seminar events. It publishes a bimonthly magazine, Creation, and has published books. Among these is a textbook on the natural sciences, with an orthodox creationist perspective, which attracted the attention of college communities. In 1991 the year 1991, a minister and professor began teaching Creation Science in one university and it is taught until today.
On August 6-7 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 presented to thousands of people. KACR members and KACR have also given talks on the subject of creation science at major seminaries. KACR plans to establish a Creation Science Education Center in the future.