Intolerant, isolationist, idealist and idiotic – these were just a few of the words aimed at Prime Minister David Cameron after he declared Britain should be proud of being a Christian country.

Given the tone from some sections of society, you would have thought he was trying to convince the country that Russell Brand was the second coming.

Quills were sharpened, computer buttons tapped and virtual lanterns lit as the bid to prove Cameron was an out-of-touch heathen began.

But was all of the hype necessary?

To recap, the Prime Minister said that Britain should be “unashamedly evangelical” about its Christian heritage.

He added: “Crucially the Christian values of responsibility, hard work, charity, compassion, humility and love are shared by every faith and none – and we should be confident in standing up to defend them.”

In response, a group of writers, academics and philosophers hit back claiming Cameron’s characterisation of Britain would have “negative consequences for politics and society”.

Well, a week on and the earth is still turning and all those ships leaving Shoreham harbour have still not fallen off the edge of the world.

Even those of us who live in the self-proclaimed godless capital of the UK that is Brighton and Hove cannot hide from the truth that, according to the 2011 census, more than 59% of the population call themselves Christian.

Yes this may have been a drop from 72% a decade earlier.

But it is still the majority of the population.

And those that rule us still require the blessing of those in the church before they can take up their posts.

So why the awkward uneasiness whenever religion is mentioned?

And why the assumption that anyone who talks about it is automatically a radical, insensitive to other people’s views?

Britain has been a melting pot of people from all corners of the globe for centuries.

And, for the most part, tolerance has been one thing that this little island has by the bucket load.

Despite all the bravado that Brightonians may want to show by boasting to be agnostic, atheist and otherwise far too worldly to believe in God, our city shows off the Christian values that Cameron boasts about better than anywhere.

Looking at the PM’s list of values, it’s clear the large proportion of the city’s population tick every box.

Where else would you have hundreds of people backing community projects such as the Bevy co-operative pub, Saltdean Lido and Exeter Street Hall?

Where else would such incredible events such as the children’s parade, Brighton Open Houses and Pride thrive?

Where else would see its residents give 57,600 hours a week – the equivalent of £24 million a year – to third sector groups across the city?

Community spirit is alive and well in our city – and it’s all been achieved by being tolerant and inclusive to all.

Indeed it wasn’t too long ago that fundraisers supporting the relief efforts after The Philippines tsunami labelled the city the most charitable in the UK.

And that was no fluke.

Never mind godless city, I’d go as far to say that Brighton and Hove is the most Christian city in the country.

It’s just that we manage it without the religion.

So instead of spending time trying to break the country’s Christian backbone by putting more of the “right on” in Brighton, let’s ditch the labels and just carry on what we’re doing.

As Dave was trying to explain, living in a Christian country is not about eating bread and wine (although most Brightonians do pretty well at that); it’s about setting an example to others.

So while it may not be uncomfortable for some, let’s continue pushing our Christian values even if we prefer to spend our Sundays in the pub rather than the pulpit.