Letter: Rational views in RE

Sir: Wendy Baskett and Hugh Montefiore (Letters, 13 August) miss the point in their criticism of Richard Dawkins's view of religious education in schools. Scientific explanations of the origin and development of life need not be infallible but can at least be weighed against available evidence. Darwinism is a case in point. Although it has been questioned as the sole mechanism of evolution, numerous observations leave little doubt that Darwinian evolution does occur.

In contrast, there is not one shred of tangible evidence to support the views of any of the major religions, only ancient and often contradictory hearsay. If religions are to be given a serious airing in schools, then their flaws and contradictions, as seen by rationalists such as Richard Dawkins, should also be covered.

Yours faithfully,

ANDREW ELLIS

Leicester