I can't do any more than agree with most of what you put.

Of course there is a position of supporting the ethos without giving credence to the conjuring tricks. My noting is based on those who, like Keith, point out their Christian beliefs but leave the bemused onlooker no wiser. A position of " I choose which bits to believe but don't insult my belief" is disingenuous hypocrisy and makes the increasing irrelevance of the church all the more pertinent.

I do not agree however over your stance that a Stuart / Tudor approach would be as relevant. It wouldn't because the object of the exercise is comfort through nostalgia. Hence I loved a wedding I was at which was very traditional but failed to see the point of a bloke called Steve in a loud shirt introducing the rock section as they chanted their repetitive few words to 6/8 rock, and called it a hymn.

If churches are to survive long term they need to be of interest to the vast majority of people, and not expect obedience to their cause in return.