Evolution Korea
Up until recently, the Korean scientific community resisted engaging with the creationists out of fear of giving the movement more credibility. But silence is no anymore an option.
The STR has been fighting to eliminate content from textbooks that explain evolution, including the discovery of the feathered dinosaur Archaeopteryx as an ancestor of birds. This is only one aspect of the evolution of the developmental paradigm.
What is Evolution?
Evolution is a concept in science that explains changes in genetic characteristics over time. The theory is based on fact that living organisms adapt to their environment which can result in changes in genes, or even entire genomes. Over the course of many generations the changes could lead to the emergence new species. The most popular theory of evolution is natural selection, which explains the process through which those with favorable characteristics live and reproduce more frequently than those with disadvantages. This variation in reproduction could be a catalyst to the creation and evolution of new species.
The word "evolution" is derived from Latin for revealing or unrolling, has been used in many different ways as the concept has developed in both science and elsewhere. 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 coined the term "transmutation" to describe this theory. 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 view that existing species change into new species in a gradual and predictable manner.
In recent years, evolutionary biologists have defined evolution as a process when living things develop characteristics that enhance their chances of survival or the ability to produce offspring. As time passes, genetic variation can cause a population develop new physical traits or biological functions. The change in gene frequencies is known as natural selection and it is the main driver of evolutionary changes. Changes that are not genetic, like an increase in muscle mass from exercise or diet, can't be considered to be evolutionary because they aren't passed on to the next generation.
Despite the fact that evolution has stood the tests of time and thousands of scientific experiments however, creationists have taken advantage of the idea that the theory is controversial to argue that it shouldn't be taught in schools. In South Korea, creationists have won a few victories in their fight to remove evolution from high-school textbooks which includes the removal of references to the evolutionary history of humans and the Archaeopteryx feathered dinosaur believed to be the ancestral bird's ancestor.
Why is Evolution Important?
Evolution explains how Earth and all its living species evolved. It is also a fundamental part of biology, and aids scientists to learn how living organisms function and develop. Evolution also demonstrates how different species are linked. Scientists study evolution in order to better understand nature and make useful discoveries such as new medicines.
The evidence for evolution 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 rigorously tested and verified over a long period of time. Many people, even some religious leaders, are in favor of the scientific theory. It is important to remember that evolutionary biology does not contradict religious beliefs, as the theory only deals with objects, events and processes in the physical world.
In reality many religious people have found ways to reconcile their beliefs with evolution. For example, some Christians believe that God created the universe through evolution and that humans share an ancestry with other animals.
It is essential for science educators to advocate for the teaching of evolution. Unfortunately, in a few nations around the world, anti-evolution sentiment is growing. In the United States, efforts to limit the teaching of evolution have made some progress in some states. In South Korea, a group called the Society for Textbook Revise (STR) which is an offshoot of the Korea Association for Creation Research is urging the removal of textbook content on the evolution of horses and the bird ancestor Archaeopteryx.
While these are disturbing developments, it is also important to remember that the evidence for 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 majority of scientists believe in the theory of evolution. The reasons behind this support vary. Scientists study evolution to make practical discoveries, such as developing medications and other treatments, while others are driven by an interest in improving the quality of life for animals and plant species, usually to benefit humans. Some scientists are just curious, whereas others have a strong religious 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 the word of God and should be taken as such. Many creationists are Christians However, not all. Creationists typically 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 world exactly as described in the Bible. YECs hold that the biblical account of the first six days of creation was true and that the universe and the life on Earth were created only recently.
OECs might not be as known, but their beliefs are as passionate as the YECs. OECs believe that the universe and Earth are billions of years old and believe that evolution is a myth.
Both types of creationism deny that scientific principles like natural selection and abiogenesis could explain the origin of life on Earth. They argue that evolution isn't possible because it requires the creation of a miracle, and the pioneers of modern science eschewed miracles for fear that they would lose credibility.
Some creationists accept both naturalistic evolution and special creation, and call their view "theistic evolution." This is also known as "continuous evolutionism" or the "evolution of created kinds." The theory suggests that God creates species from scratch and then allows these to evolve over time. These evolution changes will eventually result in new species similar to the original.
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 all created simultaneously, and that they grew slowly afterwards. They also reject the concept of abiogenesis, and argue that the emergence of self-replicating organisms from nonliving matter is impossible.
In general, the creationists are against teaching of evolution in schools. Numerous professional associations, such as the National Science Teachers Association and the Association for Science Teacher Education support this position and so do the American Anthropological Association and the Geological Society of America. Some scientists and educational institutions are however more flexible and permit both evolution and creationism to be incorporated into their curriculum.
What 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. The publishers of high school textbooks have recently announced that they will remove references to evolution from their textbooks. A group known as the Society for Textbook Revise (STR), an independent body that is an offshoot of the Korea Association for Creation Research, has led the drive. The STR has won its first victory by removing from textbooks the evidence of the evolution and ancestor of an avian, called the Archeopteryx. Its next target is to take out excerpts from Darwin’s infamous finch-research and also on human evolution.
STR claims that it has the support of around 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 in the United States. A survey of undergraduates studying biology found that half did not believe in evolution. The causes are not clear, but could include religion or the absence of creation scientists in the US.
The KACR has achieved a lot through its seminars and lectures in the past. It publishes a bimonthly journal called Creation and a book. One of them is a textbook on the natural sciences that has a creationist viewpoint, which attracted the attention of college communities. In 1991, a professor along with a minister began teaching Creation Science at one university. It is still taught in the present.
On August 6-7 the 7th of August 1993, which coincided with the World Expo opened in Daejeon, KACR held a more info second International Symposium on Creation Research. Six lecturers from outside the country, including ICR's John Morris and Steven Austin, spoke to a crowd of more than a thousand. KACR members and KACR have also presented lectures on the subject of creation science at major seminaries. KACR plans to establish a Creation Science Education Center.