Evolution Korea
Until recently the Korean scientific community refrained from engaging with the creationists in fear that doing so might give the movement more credibility. However, silence is no any longer an option.
에볼루션코리아 has been battling to get rid of textbooks that explain evolution, such as the discovery of the feathered dinosaur Archaeopteryx as an early bird's ancestor. But this is merely one aspect of the evolution of the developmental paradigm.
What is Evolution?
Evolution is a theory of science 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 can result in changes in genes or even complete genomes. These changes can, over generations result in the development of new species. Natural selection is the most popular theory of evolution. It explains how people with traits that are advantageous can reproduce faster and longer than those with less favorable traits. Over time, this differential reproduction can lead to the development of completely new species.
The term "evolution" is derived from Latin for revealing or unrolling has been used in many different ways as the concept has evolved in both science as well as elsewhere. Early evolutionists, such as Jean Baptiste de Lamarck and Erasmus Darwin (Charles's grandfather) believed that existing species evolved into new species in a predetermined fashion. Etienne Geoffroy St-Hilaire, Lamarck's embryologist student who came up with the term "transmutation" to describe this idea. Charles Lyell, in his Principles of Geology, published in 1833, criticized the idea of evolution and borrowed the term from Geoffroy’s student.
Recently, evolutionary biologists have defined evolution as a process when living organisms develop traits that increase their chances of survival, or their ability to produce offspring. In time, genetic variation can cause a population develop new physical traits or biological functions. Natural selection is the main force behind the most evolutionary changes. Changes that are not genetic, like an increase in muscle mass due to exercise or diet, cannot be considered evolution because they aren't passed down to 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 claim that it shouldn't be taught in school. In South Korea, creationists won a few victories against evolution in high school textbooks. This includes the removal of references to the evolutionary roots of humans and Archaeopteryx which is a feathered dinosaur which is believed to be the ancestral bird's first ancestor.
Why is Evolution important to humanity?
Evolution explains how Earth and all living species came to be. It is one of the fundamentals of biology, and aids scientists to understand how living things function and develop. Evolution also demonstrates how different species are interconnected. Scientists study evolution to better comprehend nature and make valuable discoveries, such as the development of new drugs.
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 thoroughly tested and confirmed over many years. Many people, even some religious leaders, are in favor of the scientific theory. It is important to understand that evolutionary biology doesn't contradict religious beliefs, as the theory deals only with processes, objects, and events within the physical world.
In reality many religious people have discovered ways to reconcile their beliefs with the theory of evolution. For instance, some Christians believe that God created the world through evolution and that humans have an ancestry with other animals.
It is essential that science educators stand up for teaching evolution. In some countries, the anti-evolution movement is growing. In the United States, efforts to limit the teaching of evolution have made progress in a few states. In South Korea, a group known as the Society for Textbook Revise, an offshoot from the Korea Association for Creation Research (KAC), is campaigning for textbooks that cover the evolution of horses and their ancestral avian species Archaeopteryx.
It is vital to remember, however, that the evidence in support of evolution is overwhelming. The evidence for evolution comes from many sources, such as fossils, genetics, and the behavior of living creatures. The evidence is also independently verified by other scientists.
The vast majority of scientists support the theory of evolution. The reasons behind this belief vary. Certain scientists study evolution in order to make practical discoveries for example, such as the development of medicines, while others are motivated by the desire to improve the lives of animals and plant species, generally to benefit humans. Some are simply curious, and others have a profound religious belief in God and seek 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 that the Bible is the word of God and should be taken as such. Many creationists are Christians however, not all. Creationists generally fall into 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 six days of creation was true 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 all life on Earth are billions of years old and that evolution is an untruth.
Both types of creationism reject the idea that scientific principles like natural selection and biogenesis can explain how life started on Earth. They claim that evolution is not possible because it requires miracles. The founders of modern science shunned miracles out of fear they would lose their credibility.
Some creationists accept both naturalistic evolution and special creation, and call their position "theistic evolution." It is sometimes known as "continuous creationism" or "evolution from created kinds." In this theory, God creates the original species and then allows them to change over time. Eventually these evolutionary changes will produce new species that are identical to the original species.
Other creationists believe that God created the universe and all living things during a single event, known as the Great Flood. Creationists believe that all the species of the beginning were created at the same time and that they gradually evolved. They also reject the concept of abiogenesis and argue that the emergence of self-replicating organisms from nonliving matter is impossible.
In general, creationists are against teaching of evolution in schools. This is supported by a variety of professional organizations which include the National Science Teachers Association, the Association for Science Teacher Education, 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 both evolution and creationism in their curriculum.
What is Creationism in Korea?
When people think of the concept of creationism most often, they think of the United States. However, South Korea is also the home of an anti-evolutionist movement. The publishers of high school textbooks announced recently that they would eliminate the mention of evolution in their books. The Society for Textbook Revise, an independent body which is an offshoot from the Korea Association for Creation Research (KACCR) is the one who has led this drive. STR has secured its first victory by eliminating examples of the evolution of the horse and an avian ancestor called the Archeopteryx from textbooks. Its next target is to eliminate the finch-research of Darwin's famed as well as on human evolution.
STR claims to have the support of 4,000 families as well as individual members. Its aim is to root out what it regards as the "atheist materialism" that paints an unhopeful worldview for students. It also seeks to counter the influence of American Creationists in the nation. A survey of trainee biology teachers revealed that a majority do not believe in the concept of evolution. The causes are not certain, but could be related to religious beliefs or the lack of creation scientists in the US.
The KACR accomplished a number of things through its seminars and lectures in the past. It publishes a bimonthly magazine called Creation and the book. The most notable of these is a text 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 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 lecturers from outside the country including ICR's John Morris and Steven Austin, spoke to thousands of people. KACR and its members have given talks on creation science at major seminaries, too. KACR is planning to create a Creation Science Education Center.