I WRITE with reference to the article by Stephen Lewis "How dumb can they be" (November 3).

I think Mr Lewis should have one or two things pointed out to him.

He says that while he does not deny the existence of God, he does not believe what the bible says. May I point out that the bible is the "word of God" and if more people took notice of it in these days, we would be much the better for it.

Perhaps Mr Lewis should read it more, then he would realise that it does not say the world was created in seven days, it was actually six days, and God rested on the seventh day.

As for saying that 44 per cent of Americans are dumb for believing this, and also that the world is less than 10,000 years old, may I point out that many eminent scientists also believe in a young earth, people who have done more for science than Mr Darwin ever did.

So in answer to the question was Mr Darwin wrong, the answer is not obviously no.

The only person who knows for sure is God and that is accounted in His word, the bible.

Alan Hill,

Park Street, Ripon.

Updated: 09:51 Wednesday, November 10, 2004