For a long time the Korean scientific community refrained from engaging with the creationists, fearing that doing so could increase the credibility of the movement. But silence is no any longer an option.
The STR has been battling to remove content from textbooks that explain evolution, such as the discovery of the feathered dinosaur Archaeopteryx as an early bird's ancestor. This is only one aspect of how the concept of development has changed.What is Evolution?
The theory of evolution is a branch of science that explains changes in genetic characteristics over time. The theory is based on fact that living things adapt to their environments and this can lead to changes in genes, or even entire genomes. Over many generations the changes could lead to the emergence new species. Natural selection is the most popular theory of evolution. It describes how individuals who have advantages survive and reproduce more than those with less advantageous traits. In time, this disparity in reproduction can result in the creation of entirely new species.
The term "evolution" is derived from the Latin for revealing or unrolling has been used in many different ways as the concept has developed, both in science and in other fields. Some early evolutionists, like Jean Baptiste de Lamarck and Erasmus Darwin (Charles's grandfather) believed that existing species evolved into new species in a planned manner. The term"transmutation" was coined by the Lamarck's disciple, embryologist Etienne Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire, to describe this view. Charles Lyell, who published the second volume of his Principles of Geology in 1833 opposed this notion and borrowed the term "evolution" from Geoffroy's student to describe the notion that species are evolving into new species in a gradual and predictable way.
Evolutionary biologists define it more recently as a process through which living creatures develop traits that increase their chances of living or producing offspring. In time this genetic variation can cause the emergence of entirely new biological functions or physical traits in the same population. Natural selection is the process that drives the majority of evolutionary changes. However other changes that are not genetic, such as increases in the muscle mass as a result of diet or exercise cannot be considered to be examples of evolution since they're not inherited by the next generation.
Creationists have a tendency to use the argument that evolution is controversial, in spite of the fact that it has been proven to be true by thousands of scientific tests and that it has stood the test of time. They argue that the theory should not be taught at school. In South Korea, creationists won a few victories against evolution in textbooks for high schools. This includes the removal of references about the evolutionary origins for humans and Archaeopteryx - a feathered dinosaur that is believed to be the bird's ancestor.
Why is Evolution Important?
Evolution explains how the Earth and all living species evolved. It also serves as a basis of biology, and aids scientists to understand how living organisms work and develop. Evolution also demonstrates how different species are interconnected. Scientists study evolution in order to better comprehend nature and make important discoveries, such as the development of new drugs.
The evidence for biological evolution is overwhelming. There is no other scientific theory that can explain so many aspects of the universe and life on this planet and has been rigorously tested and verified over a long period of time. Many people, including religious leaders, believe in the theory of evolution as a scientific fact. It is important to remember that evolutionary biology doesn't conflict with religious beliefs as it only deals with physical objects, events and processes.
In fact many religious individuals have discovered ways to reconcile their beliefs with the theory of evolution. Certain Christians for instance believe that God created everything through evolution and that humans have a common ancestry to other animals.
It is essential that scientists and educators speak out for the teaching of evolution. In certain countries, the opposition to evolution is growing. In the United States, efforts to limit the teaching of evolution have made some headway in a few states. In South Korea, a group called the Society for Textbook Revise, an offshoot of the Korea Association for Creation Research (KAC), is campaigning for textbooks to include content on the evolution of horses and their avian ancestor Archaeopteryx.
While these are troubling developments, it is also important to keep in mind 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 agree with the theory of evolution. The reasons behind this support are diverse. Certain scientists study evolution to make practical discoveries, such as the development of 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 others have a deep faith in God and seek to understand how the universe works.
What is Creationism?
Creationists are people who believe that God created the universe and everything in it. They also believe the Bible is God's word and should be taken literally. While not all creationists are Christian, they are a majority. Creationists generally fall in two categories: Young Earth creationists (YEC) and old earth creationists (OEC).
The most common type of creationist is known as the YEC. They believe that God created the universe in the exact manner described in the Bible. They believe that the biblical account of the first six days of creation was literal and that the universe as well as life on Earth were created just recently.
OECs may be less known However, their beliefs are as intense like the YECs. OECs believe that the universe and all life on Earth are billions of years old and that evolution is an untruth.
Both kinds of creationism deny the idea that scientific principles like biogenesis and natural selection could explain how life began on Earth. They argue that evolution isn't possible because it requires the creation of a miracle, and the founders of modern science rejected miracles out of fear of losing credibility.
Some creationists believe in 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 the created species." In this belief system, God creates the original species, and then allows them to evolve over time. These evolutionary changes eventually will result in new species similar to the original.
Others believe that God created the universe and all living things in a single event, referred to as the Great Flood. Creationists believe that all the species of the beginning were created at the same time and then slowly evolved. They also reject the concept of abiogenesis, and argue that the creation of self-replicating organisms from nonliving matter is not possible.
In general, the creationists oppose the teaching of evolution in schools. This position is supported by numerous professional organizations, including the National Science Teachers Association, the Association for Science Teacher Education and the American Anthropological Association, and the Geological Society of America. Certain scientists and educational institutions are, however, more flexible and allow evolution and creationism to be included in their curricula.
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-evolution group. The publishers of high school textbooks recently announced that they would remove the mention of evolution in their books. A group known as the Society for Textbook Revise (STR), an independent body that is an offshoot of the Korea Association for Creation Research and has been the driving force behind the move. The STR has won its first victory by removing from textbooks examples of the evolution and ancestor of the bird, the Archeopteryx. It is now focusing on removing excerpts from Darwin's notorious finch research and on human evolution too.
STR claims that it has the support of around 4000 families and individuals. Its mission, it states is to clear the world of what it calls "atheist materialism" which paints a negative view for students. It also aims to counteract the influence of American creationists who live in the US. A survey of trainee biology teachers revealed that around half do not believe in the concept of evolution. The causes aren't clear but could be due to religion and the absence of full-time creation scientists in the United States.
The KACR has accomplished a lot through its lectures and seminar events. It also publishes a bimonthly magazine called Creation and a book. One of them is a textbook on the natural sciences that has an evolutionary perspective that sparked interest in college communities. In 1991, a professor, along with a minister, 에볼루션 무료체험 (Evolutionkr.Kr) began teaching Creation Science at one university. It is still taught in the present.
On August 6 and 7, 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 a crowd of more than a thousand. KACR and its members have been delivering talks on creation science at major seminaries, too. KACR is planning to create a Creation Science Education Center.
