Alan Bourne’s letter (Science delusion, Oxford Mail, May 28) criticising Graham Butler’s “fantastical notion that we are descended from animals” looked like starting well, but followed the well-trodden born-again Christian path of debunking scientific logic.

It’s a pity really because Graham Butler’s statement had no scientific basis, itself.

We all have our own beliefs, of course, and Alan is welcome to his – as long as he doesn’t expect us to agree with him.

Personally, I prefer the idea that we humans are descended from aliens who – having destroyed their own environment on another planet – travelled to this world, only to do the same again.

My evidence? Well, let’s be honest, we are the only living organism on this planet that destroys its own environment, so we’ve probably done it before – numerous times over many millennia, and on many planets.

As for Alan’s God? Well, religions are social and political control mechanisms that rely on the human instinct to survive at all cost – perhaps even by travelling to new worlds?

Me? I’m happy to accept that when I die, that’s it; the end. Though hopefully not yet!

However, being an optimistic pessimist, if I’m wrong then I’ll accept this extension – as long as heaven allows women and rock music.

If not, forget it, I’d prefer to rest in peace – or pieces!

Mick Heavey, Oxford Road, Old Marston, Oxford