David Cameron and our Christian society

In a speech celebrating the 400th anniversary of the King James Bible, David Cameron this week described Britain as 'a Christian country'. He claimed that Christian values could reverse British society's 'moral collapse', stated that he disagreed with the arguments of secularists, and argued that Britain is only welcoming of other religions because of its Christian heritage. Fine words and ones that have been pored over and commented upon by all and sundry. Far be it for me to resist the opportunity! I'm not going to go into whether or not we do have a Christian society (but, for what it's worth. I think we are good at coveting but not so good at turning the other cheek or loving our neighbours): I want to concentrate on how we should interprete Posh Dave's words.

Perhaps he didn't really mean it. After all, the boy's got form in this area. Remember what he said about the NHS? Perhaps he did not fancy getting into a fight with Rowan Williams and wanted to pacify the increasingly strident views of our more socially minded clergy (and why aren't there more of them making a noise?).

On the other hand, perhaps he did mean it. Perhaps he was implying that his government was an exemplar of Christian morals and values. I do find that a very interesting idea and I think I know the biblical passage from which he gains his inspiration. How about Mark 4:25? "For he that hath, to him shall be given: and he that hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he hath". This would explain his drive to advance the interests of the top 1% towards ever greater riches and dominance, at the expense of the truly needy - the old, the sick, the disabled and the unemployed.

What about the words of Matthew 6:24, Posh Dave?: "No man can serve two masters......Ye cannot serve God and mammon". Christian values, my ****! All I see is your support of mammon.