Evolution Korea

For a long time the scientific community in Korea has avoided engaging with the creationists, fearing that doing so could give the movement more credibility. However, silence is no anymore an option.

The STR has been fighting to remove content from textbooks that describe 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 development paradigm.

What is Evolution?

Evolution is a concept in science that explains changes in genetic traits over time. The theory is based on the fact that living organisms adapt to their environment, which could lead to variations in genes or even whole genomes. These changes can over many generations lead to the emergence of new species. The most popular theory of evolution is called natural selection, which explains the process by which people with advantages survive and reproduce more often than those with disadvantageous characteristics. This differing reproduction may eventually lead to the creation and evolution of new species.

The word "evolution" originates from the Latin for revealing or unrolling has been used in many different ways as the concept has developed, both in science as well as elsewhere. Early evolutionists like Erasmus Darwin (Charles’s grandfather) and Jean Baptiste de Lamarck believed that species were predetermined to change into another 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 concept of evolution and borrowed the term from Geoffroy’s student.

Evolutionary biologists define evolution more recently as a process through which living things develop characteristics that increase their chances of living or producing offspring. As time passes, genetic variation can cause a population develop new physical characteristics or biological functions. Natural selection is the mechanism that triggers most evolutionary changes. However other changes that are not genetic, such as the growth in muscle mass from diet or exercise cannot be considered examples of evolution since they're not inherited by the next generation.

Despite the fact that evolution has withstood the test of time and a multitude of scientific experiments, creationists have seized on the idea that evolution is controversial and claim that it shouldn't be taught in school. In South Korea, creationists won a few victories over evolution in textbooks for high schools. This includes the removal of all references about the evolutionary history of humans and Archaeopteryx - a feathered dino believed to be the ancestral bird's first ancestor.

Why is Evolution Important for Humanity?

Evolution explains how the Earth and all living species evolved. It is also one of the pillars of biology, and aids scientists to understand how living things function and develop. Evolution also shows the connections between species. Scientists study evolution to better understand nature and make useful discoveries such as new medicines.

The evidence for biological evolution is overwhelming. There is no other scientific theory that can explain so much about the universe and life on this planet and has been rigorously tested and verified over many years. Many people, including religious leaders, are in favor of the theory of evolution as a scientific fact. It is important to remember that evolutionary biology does not contradict religious beliefs because it only deals with physical objects, events, and processes.

Many religious people have found a way to reconcile evolution with their beliefs. Certain Christians, for example, believe that God created everything through evolution, and that humans share an ancestry that is shared with other animals.

It is crucial for scientists to advocate for the teaching of evolution. In some countries, the anti-evolution movement has been growing. In the United States some states have taken steps to limit the teaching evolution. In South Korea, a group called the Society for Textbook Revise (STR) which is an offshoot from the Korea Association for Creation Research is urging the removal of textbook content on the evolution of horses and the bird ancestral Archaeopteryx.

It is vital to remember, however, that the evidence in support of evolution is overwhelming. The evidence comes from a broad range of sources, including fossils, genetic studies and the behavior of living organisms. The evidence is also independently verified by other scientists.

The vast majority of scientists agree with the theory of evolution. The reasons for this support are diverse. Certain scientists study evolution in order to discover practical solutions for example, such as the development of medications and other treatments, while others are driven by the desire to improve the lives of animals and plant species, usually for the benefit of humans. Some are simply curious, and others have a profound religious belief in God and are seeking to know 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 God's word and should be believed to be true. Although not all creationists are Christian however, many are. Creationists are generally divided into two groups: Young Earth Creationists (YEC) or old earth creationists.

The YECs are perhaps the most well known type of creationist, and they believe that God created the universe in the exact way described in the Bible. They believe that the biblical account of six days of creation was true and that the universe and life on Earth were only created recently.

OECs may be less well-known However, their beliefs are just as passionate like those of YECs. OECs believe that the universe as well as Earth are billions of years old and 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 not possible because it requires miracles. The pioneers of modern scientific thought shunned miracles because they feared they could lose their credibility.

Some creationists accept naturalistic evolution as well as special creation, and call their belief "theistic evolution." This is sometimes called "continuous creationism" or "evolution from the created species." The theory suggests that God creates the original species and then allows these to change over time. Then, these evolutionary changes will create new species that are like the original ones.

Some creationists believe that God created all living things and the entire universe in one event called the Great Flood. They believe that the first species were created simultaneously, and that they evolved slowly afterwards. They also deny the notion of abiogenesis and claim that the creation of self-replicating organisms from nonliving matter is not possible.

In general, creationists oppose the teaching of evolution in schools. Numerous professional associations, 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, some researchers and educational institutions are more flexible and allow the inclusion of creationism and evolution in their curricula.

What exactly is Creationism in Korea?

When people think of the concept of 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 announced that they will remove references to evolution from their editions. The Society for Textbook Revise, an independent organization that is an offshoot of the Korea Association for Creation Research (KACCR), has led this effort. STR has secured its first victory by removing instances of the evolution of the horse and an avian ancestor, called the Archeopteryx, from textbooks. The next step is to remove the finch-research of Darwin's famed and also on human evolution.

STR claims that it has the support of 4000 families and individuals. Its mission is to cut out what it sees as the "atheist materialism" that paints an unhopeful worldview for students. It also aims to counteract the influence of American creationists in the country. A survey of biology students teachers revealed that a majority do not believe in the concept of evolution. The causes are not certain, but could be related to religion or the absence of creation scientists in the US.

The KACR has accomplished a read more lot through its seminars and lectures. It publishes 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 an academic and minister began teaching Creation Science in one university and it is taught until today.

On August 6-7 1993, KACR hosted a second International Symposium on Creation Research. The event was held in conjunction with the opening of the World Expo in Daejeon. Six lecturers from abroad, including ICR's John Morris and Steven Austin presented to thousands of people. KACR members and KACR have also given talks on creation science in major seminaries. KACR plans to create a Creation Science Education Center in the near future.