God.......

Yesterday evening I went to an event at the RNCM at which Richard Dawkins was reading from his new book about the evidence for evolution and answering questions from a Times journalist and the audience.

I have never been quite sure how I felt about Richard Dawkins. As I was raised a Catholic it can sometimes be difficult to reconcile his view of those who believe in God - deluded, stubborn, stupid – with my family and the community I knew as I was growing up. I was introduced to Dawkins’ work in Theology A-level classes when studying the relationship between science and religion, which was quite enlightened considering this was the Catholic school which never mentioned contraception from the day I joined at 7 til I left at 18. In those Theology classes we were taught that despite Dawkins’ views science and religion could be compatible as the two were attempting to answer different questions. Phew, we could happily support the theory of evolution and go to church. All was well.

These days I increasingly doubt the existence of a God of any kind, and I view the growth of organised religion in history as simply anthropologically interesting. And yet I still enjoy going to church very occasionally. If I got married I would want the ceremony to take place in a Catholic church, by a priest – hopefully my uncle. I find it extremely difficult to see the Catholic Church - the one I know, on the ground, rather than the Vatican – as a bad thing. This has to be closely linked how I feel about my parents, in particular my dad. It is painful to think that the Mass he and my mum go to every week is preposterous nonsense that does more harm than good, and that the faith that he has built his life around and that gives him strength is nothing. A massive pretence on a global scale.

And yet, and yet. That is what I believe. Should it be something I talk to my parents about? It would only hurt them to hear my views. What good would it do? I know it would be hypocritical to get married in a Catholic Church, but it is the only kind of marriage ceremony that seems real to me. My attachment to the idea is due to family, tradition and belonging, rather than belief. I know this.

Richard Dawkins convincingly argued that evolution should now be taught in schools as a fact rather than a theory. It is religion that is stopping this from happening – and it is here in the UK as well as the US. Science teachers have to tip-toe around religious parents, governors, communities in order to teach their subject. Dawkins compared it to a Latin teacher who finds that the existence of the Romans is constantly questioned.

So, is it OK for me to enjoy the parts of Catholicism I want to and reject the rest, or is it this kind of clinging to the past that is contributing to the kind of world where Creationism is believed in by 40% of American adults?

Things I have learnt this week

1. Kendal is just so lovely and charming on a sunny day. The views from up Greenside are stunning and they have this little fruit and veg market that is quite the cheapest thing I have ever come across. 30p for a pineapple? Thank you very much. 50p for a bunch of fresh beetroot and 49p for local, exquisite strawberries? Well now you are really spoiling us. It even made a city girl like me think how nice it would be to live in little place like that. Just for a moment though.

2. Cookery courses at Leiths are brilliant! The school is in West London, and the prices can make you wince but oh my! Is it worth it. Souffles are easy. Who knew? Not me. We made the most delicious hot raspberry souffles, quick and simple soda bread rolls, a tasty pea soup and a lovely salmon main. The teachers are really helpful and friendly - it seemed to be one teacher to four students in our session - plus some men do the washing up for you as you go along. Whats not to like? Will be attempting souffles at home soon and hopefully posting recipe and photos.

3. When it is 5pm in London and you have to travel back to Manchester for work Monday morning, don't get outrageously drunk with your brother, sister and her boyfriend. It may be fun at the time when you're playing Shazam in a pub by the Thames but you'll be sick in a mug at work the next day. Oh yeah. I'm not proud.

My first blog post

As a long-time enjoyer of a time-consuming number of blogs, someone recently said to me: “You could do that”. Now, I definitely can’t. I am not a writer, and am of the belief that, as is our family tradition, I do not have a creative bone in my body. But there was only one way to prove it. So here we are.

I had a read around to get some tips on starting a blog, and found out it is best to have a narrow focus. But then I’m not a narrow focus kind of girl – I have no depth of knowledge in any area. So, disregarding all wisdom, this will be a wide-ranging blog, touching on various areas of which I have little to no knowledge.

Things I may bang on about:

• Food. Oh aye, I think the internet needs a few more food blogs, don’t you? I may be forcing myself to try new and strange recipes from the Saturday Guardian, reviewing Manchester restaurants (mostly ones serving steak I imagine) or justifying spending half my salary on smoked salmon from the nice fishmongers when I can’t afford a new bus pass.
• The fun there is to be had in Manchester. Because there’s lots of it – opera, ballet, interpretative dance, theatre….Although lets be frank, an endless succession of murky indie dives with sticky floors and hairy men in scarves are likely to dominate.
• I will try to keep the dull, shallow mid-twenties angst to a minimum but ponderings on underachievement, family rivalry, wildly inappropriate boyfriends and existential angst may slip through.

Clichéd self-deprecation aside, hopefully this will be fun for both of us.

Cat