Taken on faith

FACED with some disappointing census results for those of a religious persuasion it’s understandable that David Robertson (Letters, 2 October) would choose to pounce upon Hugh Reilly’s recent article criticising the teaching of creationism in schools.

One would assume Mr Robertson is basing his argument on the census statistics showing that 37 per cent of Scots classed themselves as non-religious, thereby concluding that 63 per cent of Scots are religious. If this is indeed the basis for his argument that the majority of Scots believe that “our cosmos is all down to a celestial being” I think he is wide of the mark.

I know many people who wouldn’t categorise themselves as non-religious but equally would be unlikely to argue that a mystical person, for whose existence there is not one single shred of evidence, somehow mixed a few things in his magical cauldron and created the universe. I rather suspect the vast majority of the 67 per cent have a similar viewpoint. This shouldn’t come as a surprise as this rational viewpoint is one based on the best evidence we have available to us, analysed by the brightest minds at our disposal. They have concluded that the universe was created by a series of scientific transformations, which they can observe and measure.

The majority of people, I would suggest, don’t just ‘’believe’’ in this viewpoint but choose to support it because the facts would indicate that is what happened.

As for the teaching of creationism or any other religious doctrine in schools I would, as a father of three children of primary school age, ban it at the earliest convenience.

I no more want my children exposed to the fantasy that is creationism than I want them exposed to Tom Cruise telling them they are aliens trapped inside the body of a human. Viewpoints incidentally that are equally valid.

Andrew Gordon

Craiglockhart View 

Edinburgh

Alan Hinnrichs (Letters, 2 October) tells us that he does not know if there is a God or not. If that is so, then his default position should be one of agnosticism not the atheism he proudly proclaims in his Twitter site.

He also states there “I do not respect your religion” which some might see as being precisely the alarming “secular totalitarianism” which blinkers the views of the secular activists who, though few in number, are adept at gaining column space in contemporary Scotland.

Gus Logan

York Road

North Berwick