We are grateful to Professor Richard Dawkins for contributing to the ongoing public dialogue about religious faith and contemporary science (Your Weekend, Feb 27-28).

Despite their popularity, however, we believe his views are flawed, and do a disservice to both science and religion.

Scientific knowledge is only provisional. To claim science can address the ultimate questions of existence is just as much a faith stance as that of religion. Yet, Mr Dawkins maintains that religion is an old and dangerous obscurantism and that science properly requires atheism.

Many able scientists trust in the methodologies and corrigible findings of science, as well as in the reasoned insights provided by religious faith.

It's our assertion that faith is critically informed by fact. Many religious claims are underpinned by historical and scientific disciplines.

And the central claim that all things known and unknown in our universe originate from the purposive actions of a creator is, we believe, totally consistent with what we know about the universe.

We affirm our commitment to both scientific and religious knowledge and contend, against Professor Dawkins' "scientism", that both scientific and religious knowledge are intelligible, mutually informing, life-promoting, and of great public benefit.

Dr NEIL D BROOM

North Shore City

Dr SEAN DEVINE

Waiwhetu

Dr GRAEME FINLAY

North Shore City

Dr JONATHAN GAUNTLETT

Auckland City

Dr GRANT GILLETT

Dunedin

Dr DENNIS P GORDON

Hataitai

Dr MYK HABETS

Auckland

Dr NICOLA HOGGARD

Waitakere City

Dr CAROLYN KING

Hamilton

Dr PETER LINEHAM

Auckland City

Dr ANDREW SHELLING

Helensville

Dr RICHARD STOREY

Hamilton

Dr JEFF TALLON

Pukekohe

Dr MICHAEL UDDSTROM

Churton Park [abridged]