Q& A March 8 2010 Burke / Dawkins

RICHARD DAWKINS: But I just stated it. I didn't ridicule it. I simply stated it.

TONY BURKE: No. No. No. No. Sorry, if you go back over the words you used, once you're stating it you did then ridicule it. You did. And if you want to look at the challenges and the conflicts and making a community around the world work together, then the level of respect that so many religions have not shown for each other absolutely needs to be lifted and your level of respect and tolerance could probably be a bit better too.

RICHARD DAWKINS: Let me answer that. Let me answer that. I did not more than state the Christian doctrine and Tony then said, "That is the Christian doctrine. Isn't it admirable." People said, "Yes, it's admirable." So how is it disrespectful if I simply state what it is and half the audience think it's admirable? What's disrespectful about stating it?

TONY BURKE: Press rewind, hear your own words. You have changed them.


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1. Monday, 8 March 2010God, Science and Sanity

   Panellists: Richard Dawkins, author, evolutionary biologist and atheist; Patrick McGorry, mental health expert and Australian of the Year; Rabbi Jackie Nino; Family First Senator Steve Fielding; Julie Bishop, Deputy Opposition Leader; and Tony Burke, Minister for Agriculture.more ›