Why All The Fuss? Evolution Korea?
Evolution Korea
In the past the scientific community in Korea has been hesitant to engage with creationists, afraid that it could boost the credibility of the group. The silence is no longer a viable option.
The STR has been fighting to eliminate information about evolution from textbooks including the discovery that the feathered Archaeopteryx was an ancestral bird. However, this is just one aspect of the evolution of the development paradigm.
What is Evolution?
The theory of evolution is a scientific one that explains the changes in genetic characteristics of living organisms over time. The theory is based on fact that living things adapt to their environment which can result in changes in genes, or even entire genomes. These changes can, over generations result in the development of new species. The prevailing theory of evolution is known as natural selection, which explains the process through which those with favorable characteristics live and reproduce more often than those with less favorable characteristics. As time passes, this difference in reproduction could lead to the development of completely new species.
The term "evolution" originates from the Latin word for unrolling or revealing. However, the concept itself has had many different meanings as it has taken form in the sciences and other fields. Early evolutionists, such as Jean Baptiste de Lamarck and Erasmus Darwin (Charles's grandfather), believed that existing species evolved into new species in a certain way. Etienne Geoffroy St-Hilaire, Lamarck's embryologist disciple who invented the term "transmutation" 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 view that existing species evolve into new species in an orderly and predictable manner.
Evolutionary biologists define it more recently as a process through which living organisms develop traits to improve their chances of survival or conceiving offspring. As time passes, this genetic variability can cause the emergence of completely new biological functions or physical traits in the same population. Such a shift in gene frequency is called natural selection, and it drives most evolutionary change. Other changes that aren't genetic, such as an increase in muscle mass from exercise or diet, cannot be considered to be evolution since they aren't passed down to future generations.
Despite the fact that evolution has withstood the tests of time and thousands of scientific tests Creationists have taken advantage of the notion that the theory is controversial to claim that it shouldn't be taught in school. In South Korea, creationists won a few victories against evolution in textbooks for high school. This includes the removal of references about the evolutionary history of humans and Archaeopteryx - a feathered dino which is believed to be the ancestral bird's first ancestor.
Why is Evolution Important?
Evolution explains the origins of Earth and all living species. It is also one of the foundations of biology, and helps scientists discover how living things operate and develop. Evolution also reveals the relationships between species. Scientists study evolution to gain a better understanding of the natural world and to make useful discoveries like the development of 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 rigorously tested and verified over the course of many years. Many people, and even religious leaders, are in favor of the scientific theory. It is crucial to keep in mind that evolutionary biology does not contradict religious beliefs because it only focuses on physical objects, events, and processes.
Many religious people have discovered a way to reconcile evolution with their beliefs. For example certain Christians believe that God created the world through evolution and that humans share an ancestral connection with other animals.
It is essential that scientists and educators speak out for the teaching of evolution. In some countries, the anti-evolution movement has been growing. In the United States, efforts to restrict the teaching of evolution have made some headway in a few states. In extra resources , a group called the Society for Textbook Revise, an offshoot from the Korea Association for Creation Research (KAC) is pushing for textbooks that cover the evolutionary history of horses and their avian ancestor Archaeopteryx.
While these are disturbing 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 confirm the evidence.
The vast majority of scientists supports the theory of evolution. The reason for this is many different reasons. Certain scientists study evolution to make practical discoveries such as developing new medicines, while others do so to improve the quality of animal and plant species, usually for the benefit of humans. Some are simply curious, whereas still others have a deep faith in God and want to understand how the universe functions.
What is Creationism?
extra resources are those who believe that God created the universe and all that is in it. They also believe the Bible is God's word and should be believed to be true. Many creationists are Christians however, not all. Creationists generally fall in two categories: Young Earth creationists (YEC) and old earth creationists (OEC).
The YECs are perhaps 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 six days of creation was true and that the universe as well as life on Earth were only created recently.
OECs are less well known, but they are as committed to their beliefs as YECs. OECs believe that the universe and life on Earth are billions of years old and they believe that evolution is a myth.
Both forms of creationism deny that scientific principles such as biogenesis and natural selection can explain how life started on Earth. They claim that evolution is impossible because it would require an extraordinary event, and that the scientists who founded modern science shied away from miracles due to fear that they would lose credibility.
Some creationists accept naturalistic evolution and special creation and call their view “theistic evolution.” This is sometimes referred to as "continuous creationism" or "evolution from the original species." This theory states that God creates species from scratch and then allows these to evolve over time. These evolution changes will eventually result in new species similar to the original.
Other creationists hold that God created the universe and all living things during a single event, called the Great Flood. Creationists believe that all species were created at the same time and then gradually evolved. They deny the notion of abiogenesis and claim that self-replicating life cannot arise from non-living matter.
In general, the creationists are against teaching evolution at schools. This is supported by a variety of professional organizations, including 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 academic institutions and scientists are however more flexible and allow both creationism and evolution to be incorporated into their curriculum.
What is Creationism in Korea?
When people think of the concept of creationism most often, they 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 textbooks. A group known as the Society for Textbook Revise (STR) is an unofficial body that is an offshoot of the Korea Association for Creation Research and has been the driving force behind the move. The STR has scored its first victory by removing from textbooks evidence of the evolution and ancestor of an avian, called the Archeopteryx. Its next target is to remove excerpts from Darwin’s infamous finch-research as well as on human evolution.
STR claims that it has the support of 4,000 families and members. Its goal, it says is to cleanse the world of what it calls "atheist materialism" that paints an image of students as being negative. It also aims at countering the influence of American Creationists across the country. A survey of the newest biology teachers revealed that around half do not believe in evolution. The reasons for this aren't entirely evident, but they could be due to religious beliefs or the lack of creation scientists in the country.
The KACR accomplished a number of things through its seminars and lectures in the past. It publishes a bimonthly news magazine, Creation, and has published books. Among these is a textbook on the natural sciences with an orthodox creationist perspective, which attracted the attention of college communities. In 1991, a professor, together with a minister 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. The event 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 addressed an audience of several thousand. KACR members and KACR have also given lectures on the subject of creation science at major seminaries. KACR is planning to create a Creation Science Education Center.