I still have no real image in my head of the vast majority of people in pews listening to the "truth" of being sinners and needing unswerving adherence to God etc and then walking out each and every week comfortable in the knowledge that it doesn't actually apply to them as they are too sophisticated for that sort of thing.

No problem with boutique religion by the way. Whatever floats your boat. Just don't start bringing your weekly metaphor to the party on the basis it is the same god pete and his mates talk about.