Q and A - Adventures in Democracy (Panel Includes Richard Dawkins)

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

1/6


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

2/6


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?

3/6


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?

4/6


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?

5/6



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?

6/6


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?

Aired Monday 8 March, 2010