Evolution Korea

In the past, Korea's scientific community has refrained from engaging with creationists, afraid that it could increase the credibility of the movement. But silence is no any longer an option.

The STR has been battling to eliminate content from textbooks that explain evolution, including the discovery of the feathered dinosaur Archaeopteryx as an ancestor of birds. This is just one aspect of how the concept of development has changed.

What is Evolution?

The theory of evolution is a scientific one that explains the evolution of genetic characteristics of living organisms over time. The theory is based on fact that living organisms adapt to their environment which can result in changes in genes or even complete genomes. Over time the changes could result in the emergence of new species. The most popular theory of evolution is called natural selection, which explains the process that allows those with favorable characteristics live and reproduce more often than those with disadvantages. In time, this disparity in reproduction could result in the creation of completely new species.

The term "evolution" originates from Latin for unrolling or revealing has been used in a variety of different ways as the concept has evolved in both science as well as elsewhere. Some early evolutionists, including Jean Baptiste de Lamarck and Erasmus Darwin (Charles's grandfather) believed that the existing species changed into other species in a planned manner. 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, attacked this idea and borrowed the term "evolution" from Geoffroy's student to describe the notion that species are evolving into different species in a gradual and predictable way.

Recently evolutionary biologists have defined evolution as a process that occurs when living creatures develop characteristics that increase their chances of survival or the ability to produce offspring. In time, genetic variation can cause a population develop new physical characteristics or biological functions. The change in gene frequencies is called natural selection, and it is the main driver of evolutionary change. Changes that are not genetic, like an increase in muscle mass through exercise or diet, cannot be considered to be evolution since they don't pass on to future generations.

Despite the fact that evolution has stood the test of time and a multitude of scientific studies, creationists have seized on the idea that the theory is controversial and claim that it shouldn't be taught in school. In South Korea, creationists have had a few wins in their campaign to exclude evolution from high-school textbooks, including the removal of any references to the evolutionary roots of humans as well as the Archaeopteryx, a feathered dinosaur thought to be an ancestor of birds.

Why is Evolution Important to Humanity?

Evolution explains how the Earth and all its living creatures came into existence. It is one of the fundamentals of biology and helps scientists to understand how living things function and grow. Evolution also shows how various species are linked. Scientists study evolution in order to better comprehend nature and make important discoveries like new drugs.

The evidence for biological evolution is overwhelming. There is no other scientific theory that explains so much about the universe and life on this planet and has been rigorously tested and verified over a long period of time. Many people, and even religious leaders, are in favor of the scientific theory. It is important to note that evolutionary biology does not conflict with religions, since the theory deals only with things, events and processes in the physical world.

Many religious people have discovered a way to reconcile evolution with their beliefs. Certain Christians for instance believe that God created everything through evolution, and that humans share an ancestral connection to other animals.

It is essential for science educators to support the teaching of evolution. In some countries around the world there is a growing anti-evolutionist sentiment. In the United States some states have taken measures to restrict teaching evolution. In South Korea, a group called the Society for Textbook Revise (STR), an offshoot of the Korea Association for Creation Research, is campaigning for the removal of textbooks on the evolution of horses as well as the avian ancestor Archaeopteryx.

It is important to remember, however, that the evidence in favor of evolution is overwhelming. The evidence comes from a wide range of sources, such as fossils, genetic studies and the behavior of living organisms. The evidence is also independently verified by other scientists.

The majority of scientists agree with the theory of evolution. This support is based on a variety of reasons. Scientists study evolution in order to discover practical solutions such as developing new medicines or enhancing existing ones. Others do this to improve the quality of animal and plant species, typically to benefit of humans. Some are simply curious, and still others have a deep faith in God and want to understand how the universe works.

What is Creationism?

Creationists believe that God created everything in the universe. They also believe that the Bible is the word of God and should be taken seriously. Although not all creationists are Christian however, many are. Creationists generally fall in 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. YECs believe that the biblical account of the six days of creation is literal and that the universe and the life on Earth started only recently.

OECs are less well known however they are as enthusiastic about their beliefs as YECs. OECs believe that the universe as well as 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 is inconceivable because it would require miracles. The founders of modern scientific thought resisted miracles because they feared they might lose their credibility.

Some creationists accept naturalistic evolution and also special creation, and call their view “theistic evolution.” This is also referred to as "continuous evolutionism" or the "evolution of the created species." The theory says that God creates original species and then allows them to evolve over time. These evolutionary changes eventually will result in new species that are similar to the original.

Other creationists hold that God created the universe and all living things during a single event, known as the Great Flood. Creationists believe that all the original species were created at the same moment and that they gradually evolved. They also reject the idea of abiogenesis, and argue that the emergence of self-replicating organisms from nonliving matter is not possible.

In general, the creationists are opposed to the teaching of evolution in schools. Numerous professional organizations such as the National Science Teachers Association and the Association for Science Teacher Education support this position as do the American Anthropological Association and the Geological Society of America. Some academic institutions and scientists, however, are more flexible and allow evolution and creationism to be included in 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 announced last week that they would remove references to evolution in their books. The Society for Textbook Revise, an independent body which is an offshoot of the Korea Association for Creation Research (KACCR) is the one who has led this campaign. STR has achieved its first victory by removing instances of the evolution of the horse and an avian ancestor, called the Archeopteryx, from textbooks. Its sights are now set on the removal of excerpts from Darwin's notorious finch research as well as on human evolution too.

STR claims to have the backing of 4,000 families and get more info individual members. 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 biology students teachers found that about half do not believe in evolution. The causes are not clear, but could include religious beliefs or the lack of creation scientists in the United States.

The KACR accomplished a number of things through its seminars and lectures in the past. It has a bimonthly news magazine, Creation, and has published books. One of them is a textbook on the natural sciences, with an evolutionary perspective that sparked interest in college communities. In 1991, a professor and minister started teaching Creation Science in one university, and it continues to be taught until today.

On August 7 and 8, 1993, coinciding with the World Expo opened in Daejeon, KACR held a second International Symposium on Creation Research. 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 lectures on creation science in major seminaries too. KACR is planning to create a Creation Science Education Center.