Evolution Korea
Up until recently, the Korean scientific community was hesitant about engaging with the creationists out of fear of giving the movement more credence. But silence is no any longer an option.
The STR has been fighting to remove content from textbooks that describe evolution, including 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 changed.
What is Evolution?
The theory of evolution is a scientific one that explains the evolution of the genetic traits of living organisms over time. The theory is based on the fact that living organisms adapt to their environment, which may result in changes to genes or whole genomes. Over many generations the changes could result in the creation of new species. Natural selection is the dominant theory of evolution. It explains how people with advantageous traits are more likely to reproduce and survive than those with disadvantageous ones. In time, this disparity in reproduction may lead to the development of entirely new species.
The word "evolution" is derived from Latin for revealing or unrolling has been used in many different ways as the concept has changed in both science and elsewhere. Early evolutionists, such as Jean Baptiste de Lamarck and Erasmus Darwin (Charles's grandfather) believed that the existing species changed into other species in a predetermined fashion. Etienne Geoffroy St-Hilaire was Lamarck's embryologist pupil 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 challenged this notion and borrowed the term "evolution" from Geoffroy's student to describe the idea that existing species change into new species in an orderly and predictable manner.
Evolutionary biologists define evolution more recently as a process through which living organisms develop traits to increase their chances of surviving or conceiving offspring. In time, genetic variation can cause a population develop new physical characteristics or biological functions. This change in gene frequencies is known as natural selection and it drives most evolutionary change. However non-genetic changes like the increase in the muscle mass as a result of diet or exercise can't be considered to be examples of evolution since they are not inherited by future generations.
Creationists have a tendency to use the argument that evolution is controversial, despite the fact that it has been proven valid by a multitude of scientific tests and it has stood the test of time. They claim that the concept should not be taught at school. In South Korea, creationists won some victories against evolution in textbooks for high schools. This includes the removal of all references to the evolutionary roots of humans and Archaeopteryx - a feathered dinosaur that is believed to be the ancestor of birds.
Why is Evolution Important?
Evolution explains how the Earth and all living creatures came into existence. It also serves as a basis of biology, and aids scientists learn how living organisms function and develop. Evolution also shows how various species are connected. Scientists study evolution to better understand nature and make useful discoveries like new medicines.
The evidence for evolution is overwhelming. There is no other scientific theory that explains so much about the universe and life on earth, and it has been rigorously tested and verified over the course of many years. Many people, including religious leaders, are in favor of the scientific theory of evolution. It is crucial to keep in mind that evolutionary biology doesn't conflict with religious beliefs as it only focuses on physical objects, events, and processes.
In reality many religious people have discovered ways to reconcile their beliefs with the theory of evolution. For instance certain Christians believe that God created the universe through evolution and that humans have an ancestral connection with other animals.
It is important for scientists to support the teaching of evolution. In certain countries, the opposition to evolution has been rising. 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, an offshoot of the Korea Association for Creation Research (KAC) is pushing for textbooks to include content on the evolutionary history of horses and their Avian ancestor Archaeopteryx.
While these are disturbing changes, it's important to remember that the evidence for evolution is overwhelming. The evidence comes from a diverse variety 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 support the theory of evolution. This support is based on various reasons. Certain scientists study evolution in order to make practical discoveries, such as developing new drugs or enhancing existing ones. Others do this to improve the lives of animals and plant species, typically to benefit of humans. Some are simply curious, and others have a profound faith in God and want to understand how the universe functions.
What is Creationism?
Creationists are those who believe that God created the universe and everything within it. They also believe the Bible is God's word and should be taken literally. Many creationists are Christians, but not all. Creationists are usually divided into two categories: Young Earth Creationists (YEC) or old earth creationists.
The most common type of creationist is known as the YEC. They believe that God created the universe exactly in the way that is described in the Bible. They believe that the biblical account of the six days of creation is true, and that the universe and the life on Earth began only recently.
OECs are less well known however they're just as enthusiastic about their beliefs as YECs. OECs believe the universe and Earth are billions-of-years old and that evolution is a myth.
Both types of creationism reject the scientific theories that natural selection and biogenesis can explain how life started on Earth. They argue that evolution is not possible because it would require a miracle, and that the pioneers of modern science shied away from miracles due to fear that they would lose credibility.
Some creationists are able to accept naturalistic evolution as well as special creation, and call their view "theistic evolution." This is also referred to as "continuous evolutionism" or the "evolution of species created." In this theory, God creates the original species, and then allows them to change over time. Eventually, these evolutionary changes will create new species that are similar to the original ones.
Other creationists hold that God created the universe and all living things in one event, referred to as the Great Flood. They believe that the first species were all created at the same time and that they developed gradually afterward. They deny the notion of abiogenesis, and argue that self-replicating life cannot arise from nonliving matter.
In general, creationists are against teaching of evolution in schools. Numerous professional organizations like the National Science Teachers Association and the Association for Science Teacher Education are in support of this view, as do the American Anthropological Association and the Geological Society of America. However, certain researchers and educational institutions are more flexible and permit the inclusion of creationism and evolution in their curriculum.
What is Creationism?
When people think of creationism typically think of the United States. South Korea also has an anti-evolutionist group. The publishers of high-school textbooks announced last week that they would eliminate references to evolution in their editions. 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. visit has won its first victory in eliminating instances of the evolution of the horse and an avian ancestor called the Archeopteryx from textbooks. Its next target is to remove the finch-research of Darwin's famed as well as on human evolution.
STR claims to have the support of 4000 families and individuals. Its mission, it states is to cleanse the world of what it calls "atheist materialism" which paints an image of students as being negative. It also aims to counteract the influence of American creationists in the country. A survey of trainee biology teachers revealed that a majority do not believe in evolution. The causes aren't clear however, they could be related to religion and the absence of full-time creation scientists in the country.
The KACR has accomplished a lot through its seminars and lectures. It also publishes a bimonthly magazine called Creation and an ebook. One of them is a textbook on the natural sciences that has a creationist viewpoint, which sparked interest in college communities. In 1991 an academic and minister started teaching Creation Science in one university, and it is taught to this day.
On August 6-7, 1993, coinciding 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, Duane Gish, and Steven Austin spoke to audiences of a few thousand. KACR members and KACR have also given talks on the subject of creation science at major seminaries. KACR plans to create a Creation Science Education Center in the future.