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Science Wins Over Creationism In South Korea

Posted by Soulskill on from the bribed-with-vespene-gas dept.

ananyo writes "South Korea's government has urged textbook publishers to ignore calls to remove two examples of evolution from high-school textbooks. The move marks a change of heart for the government, which had earlier forwarded a petition from the 'Society for Textbook Revise' to publishers and told them to make their own minds up about the demands. The petition called for details about the evolution of the horse and of the avian ancestor Archaeopteryx to be removed from the books. In May, news emerged that publishers were planning to drop the offending sections, sparking outrage among some scientists. The resulting furor prompted the government to set up an 11-member panel, led by the Korean Academy of Science and Technology. On 5 September, the panel concluded that Archaeopteryx must be included in Korean science textbooks. And, while accepting that the textbooks' explanation of the evolution of the horse was too simplistic, the panel said the entry should be revised rather than removed or replaced with a different example, such as the evolution of whales."

11 of 302 comments (clear)

  1. Teach the controversy by Sponge+Bath · · Score: 4, Funny

    The Fellowship of the Rings should be taught in science class along side the [derisive tone] "theory" of evolution. Precious.

  2. Applies not only to religion by StripedCow · · Score: 4, Funny

    Your phone did not pop into existence by command of an almighty Creator. Instead, it evolved in over hundreds of years from insights and incremental improvements from many different people.

    Silly Americans to think different(ly) (tm)

    --
    If Pandora's box is destined to be opened, *I* want to be the one to open it.
    1. Re:Applies not only to religion by Joce640k · · Score: 4, Funny

      Your phone did not pop into existence by command of an almighty Creator. Instead,

      Wrong...

      I even know people who claim to have seen Steve Jobs in person. That proves he's real.

      --
      No sig today...
    2. Re:Applies not only to religion by O('_')O_Bush · · Score: 3, Funny

      I know right. I see myself but I'm not sure I am real... Solipsism sucks.

      --
      while(1) attack(People.Sandy);
  3. woop woop woop by revelation60 · · Score: 5, Funny

    Woppa science style!

  4. Neil DeGrasse quote instantly came to mind. by ACK!! · · Score: 5, Funny

    The good thing about science is that it's true whether or not you believe in it.

    --
    ACK /ak/ interj. 2. [from the comic strip "Bloom County"] An exclamation of surprised disgust, esp. i
    1. Re:Neil DeGrasse quote instantly came to mind. by Black+Parrot · · Score: 3, Funny

      The good thing about science is that it's true whether or not you believe in it.

      Although it sounds like a good soundbite, it is meaningless, as any religious person could say the same about God.

      Quite so.

      As a more pragmatic approach you could make and compare two lists: one of all the technologies that are based on the findings of science, and another of all the technologies that are based on divine revelation.

      --
      Sheesh, evil *and* a jerk. -- Jade
  5. Re:This fundamentalist applauds loudly by Black+Parrot · · Score: 4, Funny

    There are also no "columns of the earth" that are holding up the earth.

    Right. Everyone knows it's held up by elephants.

    --
    Sheesh, evil *and* a jerk. -- Jade
  6. Re:"Society for Textbook Revise"? by MiniMike · · Score: 3, Funny

    Quick- add a section on the evolution of grammar, and watch their heads explode!

  7. IMBA! by Dr.+Spork · · Score: 5, Funny

    Wow, if Korea turned against evolution, how would Zerg do their upgrades?

  8. Creationists by Epeeist · · Score: 1, Funny

    Creationists are not all stupid.

    As the saying goes, you can be intelligent, honest and a creationist.

    Just not all three at the same time.