For a long time the Korean scientific community avoided engaging with creationists, afraid that doing so could increase the credibility of the movement. But silence is no any longer an option.
The STR has been fighting to eliminate content from textbooks that describe evolution, including the discovery of the feathered dinosaur Archaeopteryx as an early bird's ancestor. This is only one example of how the development paradigm has evolved.
What is Evolution?
Evolution is a scientific theory that explains the changes in the genetic traits of living organisms over time. The theory is based on fact that living organisms adapt to their surroundings which can result in changes in genes, or even entire genomes. Over the course of many generations, these changes can result in the emergence of new species. The most popular theory of evolution is natural selection, which describes the process by which people with advantages survive and reproduce more often than those with disadvantages. This differing reproduction may eventually lead to the emergence and evolution of new species.
The term "evolution" is derived from the Latin for revealing or unrolling, has been used in a variety of different ways as the concept has developed in both science and in other fields. Early evolutionists like Erasmus Darwin (Charles’s grandfather) and Jean Baptiste de Lamarck believed that species were predestined to change into another species. The term transmutation was coined by Lamarck's disciple embryologist Etienne Geoffroy Saint Hilaire, to describe this view. Charles Lyell, in his Principles of Geology, published in 1833, criticized the idea of evolution, and borrowed the term from Geoffroy’s student.
In recent years, evolutionary biologists have defined evolution as a process when living organisms develop traits that improve their chances of survival, or their ability to reproduce offspring. In time, genetic variation can cause a population acquire new physical characteristics or biological functions. Such a variation in gene frequencies is called natural selection, and it is the main driver of evolutionary changes. However, non-genetic changes such as increases in muscle mass due to diet or exercise can't be considered to be examples of evolution since they are not passed on to future generations.
Despite the fact that evolution has stood the test of time and thousands of scientific tests Creationists have taken advantage of the idea that the theory is controversial and argue that it should not be taught in schools. In South Korea, creationists won some victories against evolution in high school textbooks. This includes the removal of all references to the evolutionary roots of humans and Archaeopteryx which is a feathered dinosaur believed to be the ancestor of birds.
Why is Evolution Important?
Evolution explains how Earth and all its living species evolved. It also serves as a basis of biology that helps scientists comprehend how living organisms operate and grow. Evolution also shows the connections between different species. Scientists study evolution to understand 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 verified over the course of many years. Many people, including some religious leaders, are in favor of the theory of evolution as a scientific fact. It is important to note that evolutionary biology doesn't conflict with religious beliefs, as the theory is based on objects, events and processes within the physical world.
In fact many religious individuals have found ways to reconcile their beliefs with the theory of evolution. Certain Christians, for example, believe that God created everything through evolution and that humans share an ancestral connection to other animals.
It is crucial that scientists and educators speak out for the teaching evolution. In some nations around the world the anti-evolution movement is growing. In the United States, efforts to restrict the teaching of evolution have made progress in a few states. In South Korea, a group known as the Society for Textbook Revise, an offshoot from the Korea Association for Creation Research (KAC), is campaigning for textbook content on the evolution of horses and their avian ancestor Archaeopteryx.
It is crucial to keep in mind that the evidence in favor of evolution is overwhelming. The evidence for evolution comes from many sources, such as fossils, genetics, and the behavior of living creatures. Other scientists independently confirm the evidence.
The vast majority of scientists support the theory of evolution. The reason for this is many different reasons. Some scientists study evolution to make practical discoveries, such as developing new drugs and other treatments, while others use it to improve the quality of animal and plant species, typically to benefit humans. Some scientists are just curious, while others hold a an intense belief in God.
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 seriously. While not all creationists are Christian, they are a majority. Creationists typically 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 the creation's six days is true, and that the universe and life on Earth began only recently.
OECs might not be as known, but their beliefs are just as passionate like those of YECs. OECs believe that the universe and all life on Earth are billions of years old, and they believe that evolution is an untruth.
Both types of creationism reject the notion that scientific principles such as natural selection and abiogenesis could explain the origins of life on Earth. They claim that evolution is impossible because it requires the creation of a miracle, and the pioneers of modern science eschewed miracles for fear of losing credibility.
Some creationists are able to accept naturalistic evolution as well as special creation, and call their view "theistic evolution." This is also referred to as "continuous evolutionism" or the "evolution of created kinds." The theory says that God creates species from scratch and then allows them to change over time. Eventually, these evolutionary changes will create new species that are similar to the original ones.
Some creationists believe that God created all living things and the universe in a single event called the Great Flood. Creationists believe that all the species of the beginning were created at the same moment and then slowly evolved. They deny the notion of abiogenesis, and argue that self-replicating life cannot arise from nonliving matter.
In general, creationists oppose the teaching of evolution at schools. Numerous professional organizations 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, certain scientists and educational institutions are more flexible, and permit the inclusion of creationism and evolution in their curriculum.
What exactly is Creationism in Korea?
When people think of the concept of creationism, they often think of the United States. However, South Korea is also home to an anti-evolutionist movement. Publishers of high school textbooks have recently announced that they will eliminate references to evolution from their books. The Society for Textbook Revise, an independent body which is an offshoot from the Korea Association for Creation Research (KACCR), has led this drive. The STR has achieved its first victory by removing from textbooks examples of the evolution and ancestor of the avian, the Archeopteryx. The focus is now on removing excerpts from Darwin's notorious finch research as well as on human evolution as well.
STR claims to have the support of 4,000 families and individuals. Its goal is to weed out what it regards as the "atheist materialism" that reflects a hopeless worldview for students. It also hopes to combat the influence of American Creationists across the country. A survey of trainees in biology found that half did not believe in evolution. The reasons for this aren't entirely certain, but could be related to religious beliefs or the lack of creation scientists in the United States.
The KACR has accomplished a lot through its lectures and seminar events. It publishes a bimonthly news magazine, Creation, and has published books. One of them was an educational textbook on natural sciences with a cosmological perspective. It sparked interest in college communities. In 1991, a professor, along 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. It 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, spoke to thousands of people. KACR members and KACR have also given talks on the subject of creation science at major seminaries. KACR intends to establish a Creation Science Education Center.