Letter: Mad scientist

Sir: "Any religion sounds barking mad except to those brought up in it," writes Professor Dawkins (letter, 9 February). However, he fails to mention that most areas of science sound equally "barking mad".

"I am the product of a fish" doesn't sound totally sensible, and yet the theory of evolution relies on it. This letter arrived by e-mail at The Independent's offices because millions of tiny particles, which aren't always particles but are sometimes waves, vibrated down a piece of copper and were converted into words by a piece of silicon. Sound "barking mad"? It does to me!

If those brought up in a religion believe something that is "barking mad", how much more those that are "converted" to the faith of modern- day science!

TIM SHORT

Department of Engineering

University of Reading