29/12/04

I believe that when students are first taught about evolution that the creationist theory should be mentioned, merely to allow students critically to make their own opinion.

The first and most important point that I would like to make is that there is no credible evidence supporting the creationist theory, whereas Darwin's theory is supported by a vast amount of evidence and scientific reasoning.

I assume that the only 'evidence' supporting creationism can be found in the Bible. As such, I would be surprised to find out that the Kings Academy teaches the creationist theory as a suitable alternative or, even more ludicrously, as a more appropriate theory to Darwin's.

Darwin's theory of evolution does not attempt to explain how life began but merely attempts to explain how, once life began, such a vast and diverse number of species came into being.

The creation of the universe is another enigma entirely. Given the timescales we are dealing with, it is likely that no theory (relating to evolution or creation of life), no matter how sound it is, can ever be proven true. Isn't this convenient for creationists? - Phil Townsend, Darlington.

DAVID Neil (HAS, Dec 22) suggests that creationism ought to be studied in schools.

This absurd belief has been rejected by all of the main churches, including the Catholic Church. They all accept the overwhelming evidence that life on earth has evolved over at least a thousand million years from primitive forms to those of the present day.

How can he reject the discoveries of geology and palaeontology showing the vast age of the earth, the fact that young rocks lie on top of old rocks and that fossils of simpler creatures are found in older rocks?

He is misinformed if he seriously thinks that eyes came into being in an instant, according to evolutionary theory. Eyes, like other complex body parts, also evolved over millions of years. Even now, many simple life forms have simple light detecting systems which can no more than tell light from dark. If life forms were created by "God" then why did he not give all forms proper eyes, and why did he create three completely different types of eye: those that mammals have, those that insects have, the compound eye and those strange conical ones on some tropical lizards, for example? - Eric Gendle, Nunthorpe.

DAVID Neil (HAS, Dec 22) and I would probably agree that it is important that creation stories should be taught to our children.

The stories often reveal profound truth about human nature and society. To have these creation myths taught as science to our children is, however, repugnant.

It is not possible to name one professor of biology in our universities who gives the slightest credit to "creationist science". Why then should we burden our children with a bogus science?

Every scientist knows that there are facts which test all scientific theories. It is by investigating the mismatch of theory and fact that scientific progress is made.

I have yet to see any explanation by creationists of why fossils occur towards the top of Everest or mid-Antarctica. The existence of such fossils and much other evidence surely places Bible-based creationism theory beyond any label as "science". - Peter Wilson, Barnard Castle.

LOCAL GOVERNMENT

JIM Tague (HAS, Dec 21) tries to make political capital out of the personal abuse directed at me by certain Independent councillors.

Mr Tague asks if we did anything before the case of (now ex) councillor Gregory came to light. We certainly did. LibDems on Wear Valley Council have long been concerned about the poor attendance of some councillors and put a motion to the council three years ago to publish the attendance (or lack of it) of all members.

This was agreed and members' attendance records are now available to press and public.

Mr Gregory himself complains that he "is not the only one" and he is right. I named two other Independents, also with abysmal attendance records, and in return received a volley of personal abuse.

Obscenities, personal abuse, name-calling and threatening language have no place in any civilised organisation, least of all by councillors who are elected to serve the people. - Coun Chris Foote-Wood, Leader, Wear Valley Liberal Democrats.

EUROPE

IN praise of the EU, Mr Morehead (HAS, Dec 20) allows his blue and gold tinted spectacles to blur his vision of reality.

He speaks of EU values and benefits no less than five times. Strange then that at no point does he list any of these values and benefits - sweet sounding rhetoric does not constitute reasoned debate.

Perhaps I could offer readers a few suggested values and benefits of EU memberships.

It has caused the total destruction of our fishing industry (CFP). It has reduced our agriculture industry from one of plenty to penury (CAP). We have lost control over our own borders. We have lost control over our asylum and immigration policies. The EU is damaging our relationship with the US, our only proven and constant ally, by undermining Nato and creating a European army. We are rendered powerless to combat terrorism by having absorbed into English law the European Convention on Human Rights. As a result, a now craven judiciary is forced to consider the rights only of those who wish us harm.

Regarding the proposed accession of Turkey to the EU, Mr Morehead's delight at the prospect disregards certain little things called facts.

Recently, the French newspaper Le Monde conducted a Europe-wide survey. It reported that, in each EU member state, on average 67 per cent were opposed to Turkey's membership. Do the opinions of real people count for nothing?

If Turkey became a member, the threat of terrorism would be markedly increased as all Turkish citizens, including those who belong to fundamentalist Islamic parties would be free to walk into Britain as they please.

Ignoring facts emphasises not only why the pro-EU case is so flawed, but why we would terminate our association with this corrupt, undemocratic and increasingly dangerous institution as soon as possible. - Dave Pascoe, Press Secretary, UK Independence Party, Hartlepool Branch.