In the past, the Korean scientific community avoided engaging with the creationists out of fear of giving the movement more credence. But silence is no any longer an option.
The STR has been fighting to eliminate information about evolution from textbooks including the discovery that the feathered Archaeopteryx was an ancestor bird. But this is merely one aspect of the development paradigm's evolution.
What is Evolution?
Evolution is a concept in science that explains changes in genetic traits over time. The theory is based upon the fact that living organisms adjust to their environment, which could result in variations in genes or even whole genomes. These changes can over many generations lead to the creation of new species. Natural selection is the most popular theory of evolution. It describes how individuals with traits that are advantageous can reproduce faster and longer than those with less favorable traits. In time, this disparity in reproduction can result in the creation of entirely new species.
The term "evolution" originates from the Latin word"evolution" which means unraveling or revealing, however the concept itself has a myriad of meanings as it has taken form in the fields of science 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 predetermined fashion. The term"transmutation" was coined by Lamarck's student, embryologist Etienne Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire, 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 view that existing species change into new species in an orderly and predictable manner.
More recently evolutionary biologists have defined evolution as a process that occurs when living things develop characteristics that improve their chances of survival, or their ability to produce offspring. As time passes, genetic variation can cause a population to acquire new physical characteristics or biological functions. Such a variation in gene frequencies is called natural selection, and it drives most evolutionary changes. However other changes that are not genetic, such as the increase in muscle mass from diet or exercise can't be considered examples of evolution because they are not inherited by future generations.
Creationists make the argument that evolution is controversial, in spite of the fact that it has been proven to be true by thousands of scientific tests and that it has been tested over time. They argue that the concept should not be taught at school. In South Korea, creationists won a few victories over evolution in textbooks for high school. This includes the removal of all references about the evolutionary origins for humans as well as Archaeopteryx which is a feathered dinosaur that is believed to be the bird's ancestor.
Why is Evolution Important to Humanity?
Evolution explains how Earth and all living species evolved. It is also a foundation of biology, and aids scientists to comprehend how living organisms operate and grow. Evolution also shows how different species are interconnected. Scientists study evolution to gain a better understanding of the natural world and also to make important discoveries including the development of new treatments.
The evidence for evolution is overwhelming. There is no other scientific theory that can explain so much about the universe as well as life on earth, and it has been rigorously tested and confirmed over the course of many years. Many people, and even religious leaders, are in favor of the scientific theory. It is important to understand that evolutionary biology does not contradict religious beliefs, since the theory is based on processes, objects, and events in the physical world.
Many religious people have found a way to reconcile evolution with their beliefs. Some Christians, for example, believe that God created everything through evolution, and that humans share an ancestral connection to other animals.
It is important that science educators stand up for teaching evolution. Unfortunately, in some countries around the world, anti-evolution sentiment is growing. In the United States some states have taken measures to restrict teaching of evolution. In South Korea, a group called the Society for Textbook Revise (STR) which is an offshoot of the Korea Association for Creation Research is urging the elimination of textbook content on the evolution of horses and the Avian ancestral Archaeopteryx.
It is crucial to keep in mind, however, that the evidence in support of 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 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, such as developing medications, while others are motivated by an interest in improving the quality of life for animals and plant species, typically for the benefit of humans. Some are simply curious, while others have a deep religious belief in God and seek to understand how the universe works.
What is Creationism?
Creationists are people 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 into two categories: Young Earth creationists (YEC) and old earth creationists (OEC).
The YECs are the best 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 as well as life on Earth were created only recently.
OECs are not as well-known, but they're just 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 an untruth.
Both kinds of creationism deny that scientific principles such as natural selection and biogenesis can explain how life started on Earth. They assert that evolution is inconceivable because it requires miracles. The founders of modern scientific thought resisted miracles out of fear they could lose their credibility.
Some creationists believe in both naturalistic evolution and special creation, and refer to their position "theistic evolution." This is also known as "continuous evolutionism" or the "evolution of created kinds." The theory suggests that God creates original species and then allows these to change over time. These evolutionary changes will eventually produce new species similar to the original.
Other creationists 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 time and then slowly evolved. They reject the idea of abiogenesis and claim that self-replicating living cannot come from non-living matter.
In general, creationists are opposed to the teaching of evolution in schools. Numerous professional organizations such as 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 are however more flexible and allow creationism and evolution to be included in their curricula.
What is Creationism?
When people think about creationism, they often think of the United States. South Korea also has an anti-evolution group. The publishers of textbooks for high school students have recently declared that they will be removing references to evolution from their textbooks. The Society for Textbook Revise, an independent organization that 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 an bird, the Archeopteryx. The focus is now on removing snippets of Darwin's infamous finch research and on human evolution too.
STR claims that it has the support of around 4000 families and individuals. Its mission is to cut out what it sees as the "atheist materialism" that creates a bleak worldview for students. It also hopes to combat the influence of American Creationists across the country. A survey of undergraduates studying biology revealed that a majority of them did not believe evolution. The root causes are unclear however, they could be related to religious beliefs and the lack of full-time creation scientists in the country.
The KACR has achieved a lot through its lectures and seminars in the past. It publishes a bimonthly magazine called Creation and a book. One of these was a textbook on natural sciences with a cosmological perspective. This led to an interest among college communities. In 1991 an academic 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. This was held in conjunction with the opening of the World Expo in Daejeon. Six lecturers from the world, including ICR's John Morris, Duane Gish and Steven Austin spoke to audiences of several thousand. KACR members and KACR have also given talks on creation science in prestigious seminaries. KACR plans to establish a Creation Science Education Center in the future.