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?
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