DAMIEN CORBETT, of Stoke Fleming, writes:

Once again Rolf Burnie cannot resist filling the letters page with creationist propaganda.

The title of his latest offering 'Evolution theory lacks evidence' is so pathetic and blatantly untrue I will refrain from wasting any further space in this publication to refute the bizarre claim. Just watch any of David Attenborough's wonderful programs for a basic lesson on evolution.

I do however feel compelled to make comment regarding his continued crusade to spread the gospel on these pages of 'genetic entropy'.

Most readers of our public disagreement are no doubt asleep bynow, but in the unlikely event that anyone is interested in the subject, or worse might even be in danger of actually becoming a convert to the frankly laughable idea that genetic entropy could actually be true, I would like to point out the following:

1. Genetic entropy is an idea put forward by John C Sanford.....guess what?

He is a Christian 'young earth' creationist who believes the earth is about 4,000 years old, I will wait for the laughter of the readers to subside before I continue Rolf Burnie.

2. Genetic Entropy ignores the effect of selection. Harmful mutations are quickly weeded out of the population. If you accumulate mutations that make you weaker, sicker, whatever, you'll be less likely to have kids, and your genes will die out. Natural selection. Survival of the fittest. This is as basic a concept as there is in evolution.

3. People like Rolf Burnie, and his hero John Sandford, will often 'quote mine' from real scientific papers, that is to say that in their sermons they will preach their fantasy ideas and wrap some truth around them in order to make them appear more plausible.

4. Regarding Rolf Burnie's comments regarding Charles Darwin. He did say that more evidence was needed to back up his theory...his book was published in 1859. Since then more and more scientific evidence has come to light proving Darwin was right, another case of quote mining I'm afraid.

In short you won't find a single rational person who will pedal this entropy nonsense, it's all the fantasy of the christian sect. Even the Catholic church aknowledges it is utter nonsense.

I fear myself and Rolf Burnie will never see eye to eye on the subject of evolution, however I will continue in my quest to learn about the truly amazing planet we live on and the beauty of the natural world around us, while Rolf metaphorically keeps his eyes closed and his fingers in his ears.

All joking aside I believe we must protect our children against the unsubstantiated rantings of the likes of Rolf Burnie.

Young vunerable minds are easily corrupted and while the country seems to be waking up to the vile truth about physical abuse too often endured by our young people, we must recognise that the abuse of the mind is sadly far more widespread.