Evolution Korea

Until recently the Korean scientific community avoided engaging with creationists, afraid that it could increase the credibility of the movement. The silence is no longer an option.

The STR has been fighting to eliminate content from textbooks that discuss evolution, including the discovery of the feathered dinosaur Archaeopteryx as an ancestor of birds. However, this is just one aspect of the evolution of the developmental 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 things adapt to their environments which can result in changes in genes or even complete genomes. Over time, these changes can lead to the emergence new species. Natural selection is the most popular theory of evolution. It describes how individuals with advantageous traits are more likely to reproduce and survive than those with less favorable traits. Over time, this differential reproduction can lead to the development of entirely new species.

The word "evolution" originates from the Latin word for unraveling or revealing, however the concept has had a variety of meanings as it has taken shape in the sciences and other fields. Some early evolutionists, including Jean Baptiste de Lamarck and Erasmus Darwin (Charles's grandfather) believed that existing species changed into other species in a predetermined fashion. 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, attacked this idea and borrowed the term "evolution" from Geoffroy's student to describe the idea that species are evolving into new species in an orderly and predictable manner.

In recent years evolutionary biologists have defined evolution as a process when living organisms develop traits that enhance their chances of survival or the ability to produce offspring. In time, genetic variation can cause a population develop new physical characteristics or biological functions. The change in gene frequencies is known as natural selection and is the primary driver behind evolutionary change. However, non-genetic changes such as the increase in the muscle mass as a result of diet or exercise cannot be considered to be examples of evolution since they're not passed on to future generations.

Creationists are using the argument that evolution is controversial, in spite of the fact that it has been proven to be valid by a multitude of scientific tests and that it has been tested over time. They claim that the theory should not be taught in schools. In South Korea, creationists have won a few victories in their efforts to eliminate evolution from textbooks for high school, including the removal of references to the evolutionary history of humans as well as the Archaeopteryx, a feathered dinosaur believed to be the ancestor of birds.

Why is Evolution Important?

Evolution explains the origins and evolution of Earth and all living species. It is also a fundamental part of biology, and aids scientists to comprehend how living organisms operate and develop. Evolution also shows how various species are interconnected. Scientists study evolution in order to better comprehend nature and make important discoveries such as new treatments.

The evidence for evolution of biological species is overwhelming. There is no other scientific theory that can explain so many aspects of the universe and life on Earth, and it has been rigorously tested and verified over a long period of time. Many people, including religious leaders, are in support of the scientific theory. It is crucial to keep in mind that evolutionary biology doesn't conflict with religious beliefs as it only deals with physical objects, events and processes.

In fact many religious people have discovered ways to reconcile their beliefs with the theory of evolution. For instance some Christians believe that God created the world through evolution, and that humans share an ancestral lineage with other animals.

It is crucial for science educators to stand up for the teaching of evolution. Unfortunately, in some countries around the globe there is a growing anti-evolutionist sentiment. In the United States some states have taken steps to limit teaching evolution. In South Korea, a group called the Society for Textbook Revise, an offshoot of the Korea Association for Creation Research (KAC), is campaigning for textbook content on the evolutionary history of horses and their ancestral avian species Archaeopteryx.

Although these are alarming developments, it is important to keep in mind that the evidence for evolution is overwhelming. The evidence for evolution comes from a variety of sources, including fossils, genetics, and even the behavior of living creatures. The evidence is also independently verified by other scientists.

The majority of scientists believe in the theory of evolution. The reasons behind this support are diverse. Some scientists study evolution in order to discover practical solutions such as the development of new medicines or enhancing existing ones. Others do this 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 are seeking to understand how the universe works.

What is Creationism?

Creationists 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 typically fall into one of two categories: Young Earth creationists (YEC) and old earth creationists (OEC).

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

OECs might not be as popular However, their beliefs are as passionate as the YECs. OECs believe that the universe as well as Earth are billions of years old, and believe that evolution is a lie.

Both types of creationism deny that scientific theories such as natural selection and abiogenesis are able to explain the origins of life on Earth. They claim that evolution is impossible because it would require an extraordinary event, and that the founders of modern science rejected miracles out of 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." This is also known as "continuous evolutionism" or the "evolution of species created." The theory says that God creates species from scratch and then allows them here to evolve over time. Eventually these evolutionary changes will create new species that are identical to the original species.

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

In general, the creationists are against teaching evolution in schools. Numerous professional organizations, like the National Science Teachers Association and the Association for Science Teacher Education support this position, as do the American Anthropological Association and the Geological Society of America. Some scientists and educational institutions, however, are more flexible and allow both creationism and evolution to be included in their curriculum.

What is Creationism?

When people think of the concept of creationism, many of them think of the United States. However, South Korea is also home to an anti-evolutionist movement. The publishers of textbooks for high school students have recently declared that they will be removing references to evolution from their editions. The Society for Textbook Revise, an independent body that is an offshoot of the Korea Association for Creation Research (KACCR), has led this drive. The STR has won its first victory by removing from textbooks evidence of the evolution and ancestor of an avian, the Archeopteryx. The next goal is to remove excerpts from Darwin’s infamous finch-research and also on human evolution.

STR claims to have the support of around 4000 families and individuals. Its goal is to weed out what it sees as the "atheist materialism" that reflects a hopeless worldview for students. It also aims at countering the influence of American Creationists in the nation. A survey of the newest biology teachers revealed that a majority do not believe in evolution. The reasons for this aren't entirely certain, but could be related to religious beliefs or the absence of creation scientists in the country.

The KACR has achieved a lot through its lectures and seminars in the past. It also publishes a bimonthly magazine called Creation and an ebook. One of them was an educational textbook on natural sciences with a creationist stance. This led to an interest in the college community. In 1991, a professor, along with a minister, began teaching Creation Science at one university. It is still taught to students today.

On August 6th and 7th of 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 addressed thousands of people. KACR members and KACR have also given lectures on creation science in major seminaries. KACR intends to establish a Creation Science Education Center.