Funnily enough, I was at a Methodist service yesterday. (Family thing, christening etc.).

Despite the preacher speaking of world affairs, inequality and helping the poor, not to mention that he and his partner are to be wed at long last, the prayers and hymns, not forgetting the baptism speech, did indeed speak of adherence to God, spreading the gospel, asking forgiveness and earning his mercy.

Perhaps it's more of what you choose to remember about the service? Like asking my niece and her husband to raise their child to fear God.

Is there a book for wannabe boutique Christians telling them which bits to believe and which bits are just for show? Then once you have that sorted, you can address children and vulnerable adults. At what point do you advise them of the metaphor? Before or after their minds have been tampered with?

Fascinating.

(Enjoyed the service though. Plenty of thee and thou, hymns I remember from school assemblies. Just try not to ask what the words mean eh? A it like a retired steelworker singing about being a West Country farmer in a folk club.)