Sir – I agree with the comments of Mr Triggs (Letters, November 4) concerning the majority of Oxford dons being agnostic or atheist.

I frequently attend Evensong in college chapels and am constantly surprised at the absence of dons, even when a bishop is taking the service.

It could be claimed that this reflects society as a whole but this is not so.

The only reliable figures on religious allegiance is the 2001 census, pending next year’s new census. In Oxford, 60 per cent of the population claimed to be Christian, a rather low figure against the national average of 72 per cent. However, since then the city has experienced a large influx of eastern Europeans who are almost exclusively Christian, so Oxford is probably nearer the national average.

It is probably fashion which keeps the dons away from their chapels, as they are as fashion conscious as the rest of society.

Plus Oxford houses a particular kind of fundamentalist atheist who never miss an opportunity to attack religion of any kind and exploit the media in their crusade. As Mr Triggs indicates, the church leaders themselves have often proved to be ineffective defenders, often turning the other cheek rather than challenge those attack it.

It is to be hoped that some dons will find their way back to their chapels (directions from the porters’ lodge) and experience the beauty, based on the faith which built them centuries ago.

P. Hornby, Oxford