But how odd that in this heathen nation of empty pews, where churches' bare, ruined choirs are converted into luxury loft living, a Labour government - yes, a Labour government - is deliberately creating a huge expansion of faith schools.
When I was growing up, I'd be in the choir. My mum was the organist in the church, so I'd sing in the church.
I began with dance, doing ballet at 3, then tap, jazz, modern. Then I sang in church choirs, learned how to play clarinet and drums, sang with rock bands and only then did I get into musical theatre.
I used to sing in the church choir. People would say it was unusual for such a small girl to have such a big voice. They would say, 'She sounds like she's grown.'
The entire range of human experience is present in a church choir, including, but not restricted to jealousy, revenge, horror, pride, incompetence (the tenors have never been on the right note in the entire history of church choirs, and the basses have never been on the right page), wrath, lust and existential despair.
It is my belief that everything you need to know about the world can be learned in a church choir.
I was never interested in singing in the church or school. I was more interested in becoming a musician.
The singing of hymns and the rendition of selections from the great sacred oratorios by ward choirs all enhance the spirit of worship.
The first time I sang in the church choir; two hundred people changed their religion.
I only sing in my church choir. Except the other night, I stole the show at karaoke night.