공지사항

Evolution Korea

For a long time, Korea's scientific community has been hesitant to engage with creationists, afraid that it could increase the credibility of the movement. But silence is no anymore an option.

The STR has been fighting to get rid of textbooks that explain evolution, including the discovery of the feathered dinosaur Archaeopteryx as an ancestral bird's ancestor. This is only one aspect of how the concept of development has evolved.

What is Evolution?

The theory of evolution is a branch of science that explains the evolution of genetic traits over time. The theory is based on the fact that living organisms adapt to their environment, which may lead to variations in genes or whole genomes. Over the course of many generations the changes could lead to the emergence new species. The predominant theory of evolution is natural selection, which describes the process through which individuals with advantageous characteristics survive and reproduce more often than those with disadvantageous characteristics. This differing reproduction may eventually lead to the emergence and evolution of new species.

The term "evolution" comes from the Latin word meaning unrolling or revealing. However, the concept has had a variety of meanings since it took shape in the sciences and elsewhere. Early evolutionists like Erasmus Darwin (Charles’s grandfather) and Jean Baptiste de Lamarck believed that species were predestined to change into another species. Etienne Geoffroy St-Hilaire was Lamarck's embryologist pupil who coined the term "transmutation" to describe this idea. Charles Lyell, in his Principles of Geology, published in 1833, attacked the idea of evolution and borrowed the term from Geoffroy's student.

Evolutionary biologists define it more recently as a process in which living creatures develop traits to improve their chances of survival or conceiving offspring. Over time, genetic variability can cause a population acquire new physical traits or biological functions. Natural selection is the main force behind the most evolutionary changes. However other changes that are not genetic, such as the growth in muscle mass due to exercise or diet cannot be considered examples of evolution since they're not passed on to future generations.

Despite the fact that evolution has stood the test of time and a multitude of scientific experiments Creationists have taken advantage of the idea that evolution is controversial and argue that it should not be taught in school. In South Korea, creationists won a few victories against evolution in textbooks for high school. This includes the removal of all references about the evolutionary origins for humans as well as Archaeopteryx - a feathered dino believed to be the ancestor of birds.

Why is Evolution Important to Humanity?

Evolution explains how Earth and all its living species evolved. It is also a fundamental part of biology, and aids scientists to comprehend how living organisms operate and develop. Evolution also shows how different species are interconnected. Scientists study evolution in order to better understand nature and make useful discoveries like new treatments.

The evidence for evolution is overwhelming. No other scientific theory explains more about the universe as the life on earth. It has been rigorously scrutinized and confirmed for a number of years. Many people, including some religious leaders, believe in the theory of evolution as a scientific fact. It is crucial to keep in mind that evolutionary biology isn't in conflict with religious beliefs as it only focuses on physical objects, events, and processes.

Many religious people have discovered a way to reconcile evolution with their beliefs. For instance certain Christians believe that God created the universe through evolution and that humans share an ancestral connection with other animals.

It is crucial for scientists to advocate for the teaching of evolution. Unfortunately, in a few nations around the world there is a growing anti-evolutionist sentiment. In the United States, efforts to limit the teaching of evolution have made progress in some states. In South Korea, a group called the Society for Textbook Revise (STR) which is an offshoot from the Korea Association for Creation Research is pushing for the elimination of textbook content about the evolution of horses as well as the bird ancestor Archaeopteryx.

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

The vast majority of scientists support the theory of evolution. This support is based on many different reasons. Scientists study evolution to make practical discoveries, such as developing new medicines, while others do so to improve the lives of animals and plant species, typically to benefit of humans. Some are simply curious, whereas others have a profound religious belief in God and seek to understand how the universe works.

What is Creationism?

Creationists are those who believe that God created the universe and everything within it. They also believe that the Bible is the word of God and should be taken literally. Many creationists are Christians, but not all. Creationists are generally divided into two groups: Young Earth Creationists (YEC) or old earth creationists.

The most popular type of creationist is known as the YEC. They believe that God created the universe exactly in the way that is described in the Bible. YECs hold that the biblical account of six days of creation is literal and that the universe as well as 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 that the universe and Earth are billions of years old and that evolution is a lie.

Both types of creationism reject the scientific theories that biogenesis and natural selection could explain how life began on Earth. They argue that evolution is inconceivable because it would require miracles. The pioneers of modern science shunned miracles because they feared they would lose their credibility.

Some creationists are able to accept both naturalistic evolution and special creation, and refer to their belief "theistic evolution." This is also referred to as "continuous evolutionism" or the "evolution of species created." In this belief system, God creates the original species and allows them to change over time. Then these evolutionary changes will produce new species that are similar to the original ones.

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

In general, creationists oppose the teaching of evolution at schools. Numerous professional organizations, such as 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, certain scientists and educational institutions are more flexible, and allow for the inclusion of creationism and evolution in their curriculum.

What exactly is Creationism in Korea?

When people think about creationism, many of them think of the United States. South Korea also has an anti-evolutionist group. Publishers of high school textbooks have recently announced that they will remove references to evolution from 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, has led the drive. The STR has achieved its first victory by removing from textbooks evidence of the evolution and ancestor of an bird, the Archeopteryx. The focus is now on the removal of excerpts from Darwin's notorious finch research as well as on human evolution too.

STR claims to have the backing 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 hopes to combat the influence of American Creationists in the nation. A survey of students in biology revealed that half of them did not believe in evolution. The causes are not clear, but could include religious beliefs or the absence of creation scientists in the country.

The KACR has achieved many things in the past through seminars and lectures. It has a bimonthly news magazine, Creation, and has published books. One of these was a textbook on natural science that had a creationist perspective. It sparked interest among 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 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 and Steven Austin presented to an audience of several thousand. KACR and its members have been giving lectures on creation science at major seminaries too. KACR plans to create a Creation Science Education Center in the future.