Anita, regarding the tree in the forest. I would argue that not only does the tree not fall, there is no forest, unless it too is being observed. How do you know the tree exists? How do you know the forest exists? Does ‘stuff’ only come into existence when it is necessary for it to do so, a bit like the images in a virtual reality computer game? And what do we mean by ‘come into existence’ anyway? There’s no need to render anything to us unless it’s being observed.

How do you know the Earth is round? According to what scientists tell us, it is. But is it also possible it’s flat, or without form or shape? Is it possible that it’s not at all what we think it is? Round when being observed from space perhaps, but merely some sort of energy field vibrating in some dimension or other at other times. I don’t know.

The point for me is that I have a total crisis of confidence about believing anything any more. I don’t even trust my own gut feelings.

As for Catholicism. It imprinted feelings of guilt on me. Intellectually I have shrugged them off, as they are entirely irrational, but of course it doesn’t work like that. My subconscious irrationally behaving mind still pulls the strings of my behaviour to a large degree. Cultural indoctrination is a very powerful tool not easily overridden.