Evolution Korea

Up until recently, the Korean scientific community was hesitant about engaging with the creationists out of fear of giving the movement more credibility. But silence is no any longer an option.

The STR has been fighting to get information about evolution from textbooks including the discovery that the feathered Archaeopteryx was an ancestral bird. But this is merely one aspect of the evolution of the development paradigm.

What is Evolution?

Evolution is a theory of science that explains the evolution of genetic characteristics over time. The theory is based on the fact that living organisms adapt to their environment, which may lead to variations in genes or even whole genomes. Over many generations, these changes can lead to the emergence new species. The prevailing theory of evolution is called natural selection, which explains the process that allows those with favorable characteristics live and reproduce more frequently than those with disadvantageous characteristics. In time, this disparity in reproduction could result in the creation of entirely new species.

The term "evolution" is derived from the Latin word for unraveling or revealing, however the concept itself has a myriad of meanings since it took form in the fields of science and 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 certain way. The term"transmutation" was coined by Lamarck's disciple embryologist Etienne Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire, to describe this view. Charles Lyell, in his Principles of Geology, published in 1833, attacked the concept of evolution and borrowed the term from Geoffroy’s student.

Evolutionary biologists define evolution more recently as a process through which living creatures develop traits that increase their chances of surviving or conceiving offspring. Over time, genetic variability can cause a population acquire new physical characteristics or biological functions. Natural selection is the process that drives most evolutionary changes. However non-genetic changes like the increase in muscle mass from diet or exercise can't be considered examples of evolution because they are not inherited by the next generation.

Despite the fact that evolution has stood the test of time and thousands of scientific studies Creationists have taken advantage of the idea that evolution is controversial to argue that it should not be taught in 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 which is a feathered dinosaur believed to be the ancestor of birds.

Why is Evolution Important to Humanity?

Evolution explains the origins and evolution of Earth and all living species. It is also a foundation of biology that helps scientists learn how living organisms function and develop. Evolution also shows how various species are linked. Scientists study evolution in order to better comprehend nature and make important 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 has been thoroughly tested and confirmed over a long period of time. Many people, and even religious leaders, are in favor of the scientific theory. It is important to remember that evolutionary biology does not interfere with religious beliefs since it only deals with physical objects, events and processes.

Many religious people have come up with a way of reconciling evolution with their convictions. For instance certain Christians believe that God created the world through evolution and that humans have an ancestral lineage with other animals.

It is essential for scientists to support the teaching of evolution. In certain countries, anti-evolution sentiment is 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, an offshoot from the Korea Association for Creation Research (KAC) is a campaign for textbook content on the evolution of horses and their avian ancestor Archaeopteryx.

While these are disturbing changes, it's important to remember that the evidence for evolution is overwhelming. The evidence comes from a wide variety of sources, including fossils, genetic studies and the behavior of living organisms. Other scientists independently confirm the evidence.

The vast majority of scientists believe in the theory of evolution. The reasons behind this support vary. Scientists are studying evolution to make practical discoveries such as the development of new medicines, while others do so to improve the lives of animals and plant species, usually for the benefit of humans. Some are simply curious, whereas others have a profound religious belief in God and seek to know how the universe functions.

What is Creationism?

Creationists believe that God created all things in the universe. They also believe that the Bible is God's word and should be taken literally. Many creationists are Christians, but not all. Creationists generally fall in two categories: Young Earth creationists (YEC) and old earth creationists (OEC).

YECs are the most well known form of creationist, and they believe that God created the world exactly as described in the Bible. They believe that the biblical account of the six days of creation was true and that the universe and the life on Earth were only created recently.

OECs are not as well-known, but they are just as enthusiastic about their beliefs as YECs. OECs believe the universe and Earth are billions of years old and believe that evolution is a lie.

Both kinds of creationism deny the idea that scientific principles like biogenesis and natural selection could explain how life came to be on Earth. They claim that evolution isn't possible because it requires the creation of a miracle, and the pioneers of modern science rejected miracles out of fear of losing credibility.

Some creationists accept naturalistic evolutionary and special creation. They refer to their belief Evolution as "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. Eventually these evolutionary changes will create new species that are similar to the original ones.

Some creationists believe that God created all living things and the entire universe in one event called 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 deny the notion of abiogenesis, and argue that the self-replicating creation of organisms from nonliving matter is unattainable.

In general, the creationists are against teaching evolution at schools. This position is supported by a variety of professional organizations which include the National Science Teachers Association, the Association for Science Teacher Education as well as the American Anthropological Association, and the Geological Society of America. Some scientists and educational institutions are however more flexible and allow both evolution and creationism to be included in their curriculum.

What exactly 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 have recently announced that they will eliminate references to evolution from their editions. The Society for Textbook Revise, an independent body which is an offshoot from the Korea Association for Creation Research (KACCR) has been the driving force behind this campaign. The STR has won its first victory by removing from textbooks examples of the evolution and ancestor of the bird, the Archeopteryx. The next goal is to eliminate portions of Darwin's notorious finch-research and also on human evolution.

STR claims to have the support of 4,000 families and individual members. Its mission is to cut out what it believes is the "atheist materialism" that creates a bleak worldview for students. It also aims to counteract the influence of American creationists in the country. A survey of students in biology found that half did not believe in evolution. The causes aren't clear however, they could be related to religion and the absence of full-time creation scientists in the country.

The KACR has achieved many things in the past through lectures and seminar events. It publishes a bimonthly journal called Creation and an ebook. One of these was a textbook on natural sciences that had a creationist perspective. This led to an interest in college communities. In 1991, a professor and minister started teaching Creation Science in one university, and it continues to be taught to this day.

On August 6th and 7th of 1993, KACR hosted a second International Symposium on Creation Research. It was held in conjunction with the opening of the World Expo in Daejeon. Six lecturers from abroad including ICR's John Morris, Duane Gish, and Steven Austin spoke to audiences of over a thousand. KACR members and KACR have also presented lectures on creation science in major seminaries. KACR plans to establish a Creation Science Education Center.