The Easter Monday edition of ABC's Q&A saw Cardinal George Pell (God corner) and Professor Richard Dawkins (non-God corner) square off (1 million viewers tuned in so odds are you did see it). Greg Sheridan, who is obviously well versed in theology and metaphysics as well as foreign affairs, recounted one scene: When Dawkins explained that the universe had come from nothing, but that nothing was really very complex and, in fact, consisted of something, people laughed. Dawkins was annoyed and, like a humourless school marm, peevishly scolded the audience: "Why is that funny?" Yes, well, "nothing"certainly can be complex. The Buddhist notion of nirvana approximates "emptiness" … [Read more...]
