Evolution Korea

For a long time, the Korean scientific community was hesitant about engaging with the creationists out of fear of giving the movement more credibility. The silence is no longer an option.

The STR has been battling to get rid of textbooks that describe evolution, including the discovery of the feathered dinosaur Archaeopteryx as an ancestral bird's ancestor. This is just one aspect of how the development paradigm has evolved.

What is Evolution?

Evolution is a theory of science 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 lead to variations in genes or even whole genomes. Over time these changes could result in the creation of new species. The most popular theory of evolution is natural selection, which explains the process by which those with favorable characteristics live and reproduce more frequently than those with disadvantageous characteristics. This variation in reproduction could, over time, lead to the development and emergence of new species.

The word "evolution" originates from the Latin word for unrolling or revealing. However, the concept has had a variety of meanings as it has taken form in the fields of science and other fields. Early evolutionists like Erasmus Darwin (Charles’s grandfather) and Jean Baptiste de Lamarck believed that species were predestined to change into a new species. The term"transmutation" was coined by Lamarck's student, embryologist Etienne Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire, to describe this view. Charles Lyell, in his Principles of Geology, published in 1833, criticized the idea of evolution and borrowed the term from Geoffroy's student.

Evolutionary biologists define it more recently as a process by which living organisms develop traits to improve their chances of survival or conceiving offspring. Over time this genetic variation can result in the development of completely new physical or biological functions in the same population. This change in gene frequencies is called natural selection, and it is the main driver of evolutionary changes. However non-genetic changes like the growth in the muscle mass as a result of diet or exercise can't 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 idea that the theory is controversial and claim that it shouldn't be taught in schools. In South Korea, creationists won a few victories over evolution in textbooks for high schools. This includes the removal of references to the evolutionary roots of humans as well as Archaeopteryx which is a feathered dinosaur which is believed to be the ancestor of birds.

Why is Evolution Important to Humanity?

Evolution explains how Earth and all its living creatures came into existence. It is also a fundamental part of biology and helps scientists learn how living organisms function and develop. Evolution also reveals the relationships between species. Scientists study evolution to gain a better understanding of the natural world and also to make important discoveries, such as developing 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 thoroughly tested and confirmed over a long period of time. Many people, including some religious leaders, are in favor of the theory of evolution as a scientific fact. It is important to remember that evolutionary biology doesn't conflict with religious beliefs, as the theory is based on things, events and processes within the physical world.

In reality many religious people have come up with ways to reconcile their beliefs with evolutionary theory. Some Christians for instance, believe that God created everything through evolution and that humans have an ancestry that is shared with other animals.

It is important for scientists to advocate for the teaching of evolution. Unfortunately, in a few countries around the globe, anti-evolution sentiment is growing. 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 pushing for the elimination of textbook content about the evolution of horses and the bird ancestor Archaeopteryx.

While these are troubling developments, it is also important to remember that the evidence for evolution is overwhelming. The evidence comes from a wide range of sources, such as fossils, genetic studies and the behavior of living organisms. Other scientists independently verify the evidence.

The vast majority of scientists supports the theory of evolution. The reasons for this support vary. Some scientists study evolution to make practical discoveries such as developing new medicines and other treatments, while others use it to improve the quality of animal and plant species, mostly to benefit of humans. Some scientists are simply curious, while others have an intense belief in God.

What is Creationism?

Creationists believe that God created everything in the read more universe. 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 one of two categories: Young Earth creationists (YEC) and old earth creationists (OEC).

The most common kind of creationist is called the YEC. They believe that God created the universe in exactly the way that is described in the Bible. They believe that the biblical account of the first six days of creation was literal and that the universe and life on Earth were created only recently.

OECs are less well known, but they are as passionate about their beliefs as YECs. OECs believe that the universe and Earth are billions-of-years old and that evolution is a myth.

Both types of creationism reject the notion that scientific principles like natural selection and abiogenesis can explain the origin of life on Earth. They assert that evolution is inconceivable because it would require miracles. The pioneers of modern science shunned miracles in fear that they would lose their credibility.

Some creationists believe in naturalistic evolution and also special creation. They refer to their belief as "theistic evolution.” This is sometimes also known as "continuous creationism" or "evolution from the original species." The theory says that God creates the original species and allows them to evolve over time. Eventually the evolutionary changes produce new species that are like 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 believe that the first species were all created at the same time, and that they grew gradually afterward. They also reject the idea of abiogenesis and claim that the self-replicating creation of organisms from nonliving matter is impossible.

In general, creationists oppose teaching evolution at schools. Numerous professional organizations like the National Science Teachers Association and the Association for Science Teacher Education endorse this view, as do the American Anthropological Association and the Geological Society of America. However, certain academic institutions and scientists are more flexible and permit the inclusion of creationism and evolution in their curricula.

What exactly is Creationism in Korea?

When people think about creationism, they often think of the United States. However, South Korea is also the home of an anti-evolutionist movement. The publishers of textbooks for high school students have recently declared that they will be removing references to evolution from their books. The Society for Textbook Revise, an independent body that is an offshoot from the Korea Association for Creation Research (KACCR) is the one who has led this effort. The STR has scored its first victory by removing from textbooks evidence of the evolution and ancestor of an avian, the Archeopteryx. Its sights are now set on removing excerpts from Darwin's infamous finch research and on human evolution as well.

STR claims to have the support of 4,000 families and individual members. Its goal is to weed out what it believes is the "atheist materialism" that paints an unhopeful worldview for students. It also seeks to counter the influence of American creationists in the United States. A survey of trainees in biology revealed that a majority of them did not believe evolution. The reasons aren't certain, but could be related to religious beliefs or the lack of creation scientists in the US.

The KACR has achieved a lot through its seminars and lectures in the past. It publishes a bimonthly magazine, Creation, and has published books. Among these is a textbook on the natural sciences that has a creationist viewpoint, which has sparked interest among college students. 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 second International Symposium on Creation Research. Six lecturers from around the world including ICR's John Morris, Duane Gish, and Steven Austin spoke to audiences of over a thousand. KACR and its members have been giving lectures on creation science in major seminaries, too. KACR plans to establish a Creation Science Education Center in the future.