Q and A - Adventures in Democracy (Panel Includes Richard Dawkins) (Part 3/6)

Via http://atheistplanet.blogspot.com/

Aired Monday 8 March, 2010

The Q&A panel includes: Richard Dawkins, Patrick McGorry, Rabbi Jacqueline Ninio, Tony Burke and Julie Bishop.

Here are the questions our panel faced this week. Tell us what your answer would be or what you think our panellists need to say.
Evolution/God

Arthur Lith asked: Can one be a believer in God as well as a believer in the theory of evolution?
What do you think?


Religion and Psychology

Dan Anderson asked: Do you think that a belief in the transcendent (whatever that might be, but including 'God') is important within a healthy human psychology, or do you regard it as a symptom of mental illness?
What do you think?


Areligion/Atheism/Santa Claus

Cassandra Devine asked: Why do you feel the need to express your views so stridently when they're not always welcome? Isn't it rather like going around to playgrounds and telling children that Santa Claus isn't real?
What do you think?


Religion-Schools

Renee Brasier asked: You are clearly against the teaching of creationism in the context of Science, but do you think there is any value in teaching religion in schools?
What do you think?


Morality

Hamzah Qureshi asked: Considering atheism cannot possibly have any sort of absolute morality, is it not then an irrational "leap of faith" (which atheists themselves so harshly condemn) for an atheist to decide between right and wrong, considering they have no absolute moral standard?
What do you think?


Intelligent Design

David from Victoria asked: Do you believe intelligent design should be part of the science curriculum, taught alongside evolution? Or do you believe it is non-scientific and should be relegated to the rubbish bin?
What do you think?


Religion and Gays

Andrew Kollington asked: Senator Fielding - you are courageously open about your religious and moral beliefs. As a believer in God, do you accept the Bible as the word of God and those who participate in homosexual behavior ought to be shunned or be put to death as the Bible demands? Or do so called moderate Christians' simply choose to ignore the word of God in this case, picking what passages they feel best suit our social trends?"

What do you think?


Asylum Seekers

Dennis Colombo asked: Both Labor and the Coalition have been severely criticised for their handling of the boat people asylum seekers. I would like to hear the views of the non-politicians on the panel about how they would go about it. Perhaps they can lead our politicians to a fresh approach!
What do you think?



Afterlife

Web question from Patrick OShea of Queensland: Do you wish for or indeed hope for an Afterlife?

Category:

Education

Tags:

• richard
• dawkins
• atheist
• atheism
• religion
• and
• science
• evolution
• creationism
• australia
• adventures
• in
• democracy

[DistantJ]

lol the Aussie guy on Dawkins' right's answer to every single question is "DIFFERENT PEOPLE ARE DIFFERENT", and he keeps getting laughed at, that is so awesome.

[Basaltq]

Damn Dawkins was on fire. So bright and clear argumentation. World would be a dim place to live without scientist lighting the world for us to see.

[8bobthebuilder]

The comments for this part of the Q & A are as interesting as the video!

[Rav0n]

@DistantJ Dawkins' left.

[Fuglebolle]

I wonder who put together this panel.. Along with Dawkins there are 3 that try to avoid being asked questions, an old woman who doesn't appear to have thought about this issue ever before and a female rabbi who talks nonsense (but with a very charming smile).

[dawkins75]

That answer was the perfect answer (if there is such a thing). Good job Dr. D

[guitarfuckist]

Lol that lady doesnt think that religious schools indoctrinate the kids. Ive never been to one myself, but I have done research on them, and I know a few people who have attended them. Some of my family goes to a catholic school. This is in the U.S. Im not sure about other countries, but they indoctrinate people very strongly here.

[saraali665]

thanx a lot Dawkins

[ScaringMySibling]

7.10 when Dawkins take off his glasses, you know that some shit is about to go down.

[dilwich123]

The only good thing to come out of Australia :- Mick Dundee.

[varimtharas]

Once Dawkins takes off his glasses, you're fucked...

[Skyswinger]

@sand0341 Thats political correctness in effect. Many these days are too shit scared to voice their true opinions through fear of offending someone elses opinion.These pc people take the middle road and feel comfortably smug with each others approval. After time they end up believing their own bullshit. Its agenda is totalitarianism. Only a strong individual mind is immune to this filthy disease.