Some people might not be churchgoers but they still follow a Christian code

We may not be a church-going nation but a lot of people live by Christian values and, as the brilliant writer Julie Burchill said recently, could you ask to live under a safer religion than the Protestant religion, regardless of your beliefs?

It has no strident rules that people find hard to follow – just the basic karma values most normal people expect in their lives, especially in Brighton. Do unto others as you would have done to yourself.

On that note, could we please have a silent protest next year against the March For England?

Create a vacuum and they will disappear. Each time this comes around we just give them more air to breathe. Line the streets with people who will not respond. That would be far more effective.

Mary Sassi, Queen’s Road, Brighton

The question that needs to be answered is, what is a Christian? If we are to follow Tim’s argument, anyone who demonstrates hard work, care, compassion and humility is a Christian.

I applaud all these qualities, which we see every day in this vibrant city, but do they make you a Christian?

Tim suggests that even atheists could be Christian or, if we were to extend that argument further, people of other faiths – even those who deny the basis for Christian faith.

It was interesting to hear the 2011 statistic that 59% of the city’s population would describe themselves as Christians. Some years ago I conducted a survey in which nearly 75% of those interviewed described themselves as Christians.

Further investigation revealed that fewer than 5% had a real Christian faith. The reasons people believed they were Christians varied but included being born in a Christian country, praying, going to church, leading a good life, being christened as a baby – even taking the bread and the wine (I have the T-shirt).

It is even possible to wear a dog collar and not be a Christian.

Tim’s arguments naturally lead to the conclusion that we could describe this city as very Christian because of the unselfish concern for others.

But what is a Christian? The clue is in the word Christian which includes the name Christ. A Christian is a follower, a disciple, of Jesus Christ.

If we were to ask those who believed they were Christians if they were disciples of Jesus Christ, I wonder what the result would be. Being a Christian is not just about being good and kind, no matter how worthy or commendable, but coming to a personal faith in Christ.

Perhaps the term “godless” is not representative of the true spiritually of this city.

There are many gods in this city. Maybe the term “the most Christless city” would be more accurate.

Tony Smith, Brighton and Hove City Mission