It may be a good idea to have extra public holidays but to call one of them a Darwin Day is preposterous (letters, 23 January). Do all scientists believe (I use the word advisably) Darwin's theory of evolution? Why have some adapted his theory to become Neo-Darwinism? Others have noted that the fossils do not show the evidence Darwin postulated, and once more adapted the theory with another aspect called punctuated equilibrium.
Darwin's theory of evolution is just that, viz, a theory. There are laws in science which most, if not all, scientists accept. Entropy is evident all around us and we see things do run down. Consequently, Darwin's molecule-to-man theory is a contradiction of accepted scientific laws.
Finally, are we to accept every detail of Darwin's theory, or be selective? Social Darwinism, as it has been called, I believe, consigns women to an inferior status to men. This is surely unacceptable. Also natural selection or the survival of the fittest is what we see in our day on the streets.
Why do young people get involved in gangs, carry knives etc if it is not to survive? Many examples which are causing us serious social problems could be given and these relate to Darwin's theory of evolution. So, contrary to reinvigorating the scientific studies, it has created ills in society.