I don't see much difference in the two statements. I think if someone keeps a cool head they can rebutt either one if that is what one truly believes. I think it is just his style that rubs people the wrong way. The best way to answer this is to confront it directly just as you lined it out and make him answer to it. Problem is, the guy is pretty well spoken and intelligent, so your average person debating with him gets flustered because they feel they cannot defend their view intelligently. I am no huge fan of Dawkins, just my observation. He rarely, if ever that I noticed, spews the same vitriol he gets in return. He says what he believes without much emotion. Hitchens was aggressive as hell.