Sir — Mr Weavers in his letter (September 12) uses my words out of context. If quoted in full it would be clear that I was, in fact, saying it is inexcusable for anyone to suggest Mr Dawkins had told an African vicar that he specifically was an ape. Not to suggest it is inexcusable to believe other than that we are descended from apes, although I believe we are.

I entered this correspondence because a false impression had been given of Professor Dawkins' documentary. Mr Weaver attempts to do the same with my words. The evidence for how evolution works and led to the conditions Mr Weavers describes, is available to anyone who cares to read Darwin or the huge body of evidence gathered since by scientists like Professor Dawkins.

Mr Weavers feels he needs protection from ideas, none of us can be protected from ideas, neither has anyone suggested his opinions are inexcusable, treasonable or heretical. That is nonsense.

Paul Surman, Horspath