Laura Whitmore talks us through her new documentary on religion

A documentary by Laura Whitmore has been scheduled for this coming Sunday on BBC 5 Live. Entitled Losing My Religion – a title borrowed from the REM song – the programme explores the idea of faith and looks at the way in which religion has lost its lustre for many modern British and Irish people.

"I was born in Dublin, a Roman Catholic like the majority of people in the Republic of Ireland,” Laura recalls. "I went to a convent secondary school and had sex education taught by a nun – looking back, probably not the best person to learn about sex from!

"When I was younger, I went to mass every Sunday because I had to. I didn’t hate it: all my mates went and sometimes I got to do a reading on the altar – good practice of what was to come just minus the autocue! As I got older and travelled more, I began to question everything I learned in religion class – how did Noah fit all those animals on one Ark? Eve was made from Adam’s rib? Hmmm, not even MacGyver can get his head around that one – and he can make anything from ANYTHING."

Gradually, Laura began to question every aspect of people’s belief systems. There was a particular issue with Catholicism.

“What really made me question the whole edifice of the religion we grew up with was the feeling of betrayal when allegations of sexual abuse of children in Ireland emerged,” she recalls. "If there is a god why would he let this happen? These people were trusted by communities; and they used their power to take advantage of the most vulnerable members of those communities."

The church’s view on issues to do with personal freedom were also a negative factor.

"The Catholic church’s views on gay marriage and female reproductive rights continued to push me away. But then why can’t I give it up completely?” she asks.

In many ways this is what her documentary will explore.

"My mother still classifies herself as Catholic,” she says. "In fact so do I, but it’s more to do with cultural heritage than what I actually believe. I like the comfort, the sense of belonging, the nostalgia – but don’t want to sign up for the whole shebang. Does that make me a hypocrite? Perhaps.

"I asked my followers on twitter if they were religious,” she adds. "Approximately 90% said ‘NO’ but they all followed with a massive ‘BUT’. If something bad happens, most of us will say a prayer – even though we’re not sure who exactly we’re praying to.

She still has bottles of holy water around the house. But the truth is that Laura doesn’t quite know what to believe!

"I’m still searching for what to believe in,” she acknowledges. "I like the idea of Karma, of a protective energy guiding us, of guardian angels and of kindness. I have crystals in my pockets, meditate when I’m stressed, wear a cross around my neck and bless myself before I fly. In a world where you don’t have to choose a gender and we can have numerous jobs – Hi, I’m Laura and I’m a Presenter/Writer/Actor/DJ/Chancer! – why do we have to choose a religion?"

Why indeed?

"I’ve even stumbled across the Sunday Assembly, a church of no religion, co-founded by Atheist and comedian Sanderson Jones,” Laura says. "I went along earlier this month and really enjoyed it – reinforcing the importance of having a community no matter what you believe, or in this case don’t believe. Also, they sing power ballads from the likes of Journey, The Killers and Tina Turner in a giant karaoke set up, so what’s not to love!"

Or, to put it another way, she asks if religion should not evolve in line with people’s mores in the wider world?

"Earlier this year, I publicly campaigned to repeal the 8th amendment of the Irish constitution, which gave equal status to the life of the unborn as to a pregnant woman. I had mixed responses online to my views. My opinion went against my Catholic upbringing – but we are no longer living in the dark ages. Shouldn’t we evolve with the times? Everything around us evolves – science, technology, Madonna’s fashion sense. Can’t our religious values too?"

Many would say that the whole point of religion is that its tenets were – indeed are – written in stone. That the truth of Christianity is immutable. Muslims believe the same of the Koran. And Orthodox Jews are not for turning either. The problem is that all three can’t be right. If one is right, logically, the others are wrong.

"I admire those who have the faith required to follow their chosen religious path,” Laura says, “And I often feel jealous of those who have solid beliefs and structures in their lives. But I think we also need to be able to explore our beliefs and find what works for us. Life is tough, and so if anyone finds a practice that makes it easier, who are we to judge them? I’m still working out what I believe in, by continuing to ask questions and searching for something that resonates with me and gets me through the day – whether its Judaism, Christianity, Yoga, Meditation or singing along to ‘don’t stop believing’ on a massive screen in front of a room of non-believers.

Laura Whitmore’s Losing My Religion airs Dec 23 at 11am on BBC 5 LIVE