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Evolution Korea

For a long time the scientific community in Korea has refrained from engaging with the creationists in fear that it could boost the credibility of the group. However, silence is no any longer an option.

The STR has been fighting to get rid of textbooks that discuss 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 developmental paradigm.

What is Evolution?

Evolution is a theory of science that explains the evolution of genetic characteristics of living organisms over time. The theory is based on fact that living organisms adapt to their environment which can result in changes in genes or even whole genomes. These changes can, over generations lead to the creation of new species. Natural selection is the predominant theory of evolution. It explains how individuals with traits that are advantageous can reproduce faster and longer than those with less advantageous traits. This differing reproduction may, over time, lead to the creation and evolution of 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 evolved in both science and in other fields. Early evolutionists like Erasmus Darwin (Charles’s grandfather) and Jean Baptiste de Lamarck believed that species were predetermined to change into another species. Etienne Geoffroy St-Hilaire was Lamarck's embryologist disciple who coined the term "transmutation" to describe this idea. 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 existing species change into different species in a gradual and predictable manner.

Evolutionary biologists define it more recently as a process by which living things develop characteristics that increase their chances of surviving or conceiving offspring. As time passes, genetic variation can lead a population to develop new physical traits or biological functions. Such a shift in gene frequency is known as natural selection and is the primary driver behind evolutionary changes. Changes that are not genetic, like an increase in muscle mass through exercise or diet, can't be considered evolution because they don't pass on to future generations.

Despite the fact that evolution has stood the test of time and thousands of scientific tests, creationists have seized on the notion that the theory is controversial to argue that it shouldn't be taught in schools. In South Korea, creationists have gained a few victories in their fight to remove evolution from high school textbooks which includes the removal of any references to the evolutionary roots of humans and the Archaeopteryx, a feathered dinosaur believed to be an ancestor of birds.

Why is Evolution Important for Humanity?

Evolution is the explanation for the origins of Earth and all living species. It is one of the fundamentals of biology, and helps scientists to understand how living things function and grow. Evolution also shows the connections between different 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. No other scientific theory can explain as much about the universe and the life on our planet. It has been rigorously studied and verified for many years. Many people, and even religious leaders, are in support of the scientific theory. It is important to understand that evolutionary biology doesn't interfere with religious beliefs, since the theory only deals with objects, events and processes within the physical world.

Many religious people have found a way to reconcile evolution with their convictions. Some Christians for instance, believe that God created everything through evolution and that humans share an ancestral connection to other animals.

It is crucial that science educators advocate for teaching evolution. Unfortunately, in a few countries around the world the anti-evolution movement is growing. In the United States, efforts to limit the teaching of evolution have made progress in some states. In South Korea, a group known as the Society for Textbook Revise, an offshoot from the Korea Association for Creation Research (KAC) is pushing for textbook content on the evolution of horses and their ancestral avian species Archaeopteryx.

It is crucial to keep in mind, however, that the evidence in favor of evolution is overwhelming. The evidence comes from a diverse range 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 believe in the theory of evolution. The reasons for this support are diverse. Some scientists study evolution to make practical discoveries, such as developing new medicines or enhancing existing ones. Others do this to improve animal and plants species, typically to benefit of humans. Some scientists are simply curious, while others hold a an intense faith in God.

What is Creationism?

Creationists believe that God created all things in the universe. They also believe that the Bible is the word of God and should be taken literally. Although not all creationists are Christian but they are a majority. 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 the six days of creation is true, and that the universe and life on Earth started only recently.

OECs aren't as well-known, but their beliefs are as passionate like the YECs. OECs believe that the universe and life on Earth are billions of years old, and that evolution is an untruth.

Both types of creationism reject the idea that scientific principles like biogenesis and natural selection could explain how life began on Earth. They argue that evolution is not possible because it requires the creation of a miracle, and the founders of modern science shied away from miracles due to fear that they would lose credibility.

Some creationists are able to accept naturalistic evolution as well as special creation, and refer to their position "theistic evolution." It is sometimes referred to as "continuous creationism" or "evolution from the original species." In this belief system, God creates the original species and allows them to evolve over time. In the end the evolutionary changes result in new species identical to the original species.

Other creationists believe that God created the universe and all living things during a single event, known as the Great Flood. These creationists hold that all the species of the beginning were created at the same moment and then gradually evolved. They also reject the concept of abiogenesis and argue that the self-replicating creation of organisms from nonliving matter is unattainable.

In general, the creationists oppose the teaching of evolution in schools. Numerous professional associations, like the National Science Teachers Association and the Association for Science Teacher Education are in support of 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 for the inclusion of both evolution and creationism in their curriculum.

What is Creationism in Korea?

When people think of creationism, they often think of the United States. However, South Korea is also home to an anti-evolutionist movement. The publishers of high school textbooks announced last week that they will 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 which is the driving force behind the campaign. STR has secured its first victory by eliminating examples of the evolution of the horse as well as an avian ancestor, the Archeopteryx from textbooks. It is now focusing on removing snippets of Darwin's notorious finch research as well as on human evolution, too.

STR claims to have the support of 4,000 families and individuals. Its goal, it says is to cleanse the world of what it calls "atheist materialism" which paints an unflattering image for students. It also aims to counteract the influence of American creationists who live in the US. A survey of students in biology found that half didn't believe in evolution. The reasons aren't evident, but they could be due to religious beliefs or the lack of creation scientists in the United States.

The KACR has achieved a number of things through its seminars and lectures. It has a bimonthly news magazine, Creation, and has published books. The most notable of these is a text on the natural sciences with an evolutionary perspective that has sparked interest among college students. In 1991 an academic and minister began teaching Creation Science in one university, and it continues to be taught to this day.

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, Duane Gish, and Steven Austin spoke to audiences of a few 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.