In recent days we have seen howls of outrage from various quarters over the claimed persecution of the Christian population in Britain.

It would appear that turning the other cheek is no longer in vogue.

On Tuesday we were greeted by the surreal sight of Tory chairwoman Baroness Warsi receiving a rapturous response from the Catholic hierarchy when she condemned the evils of "intolerant secularism" in this country.

It's not something you see every day - a Muslim female Tory MP giving a speech at the Vatican - but that's exactly what happened this week when the Yorkshire peer got up and addressed that famously tolerant body.

Of course she was - if you'll excuse the expression - somewhat preaching to the choir.

You're not exactly going to get heckled by the cardinals when your rallying call is for more religion in modern life. Even if you are a woman. Unsurprisingly it went down rather well.

To return to the central plank of her theory, that intolerant secularism is a blight on society, a few points if I may.

Since when has secularism been a threat to religion?

Since when has someone saying: "I'm not sure you're right about that, you know" been a bad thing?

When have you ever heard anyone declare a crusade or jihad in the name of theological uncertainty?

If you pick almost any instance of intolerance, bigotry, persecution and bloodshed throughout history the main candidates are invariably those who espouse some form of religious dogma, generally with them in the role of Messiah.

Historically of course one of the most infamous figures was a certain Torquemada.

And speaking of the Inquisition, Pope Benedict, or "God's Rottweiler" as he's affectionately known, was also for many years the head of that particular branch of religious zealots and they weren't exactly known for their tolerance of anything.

He has recent form too. In 2006 Il Papa got himself into a spot of hot water when he quoted a 14th-century Christian emperor who said Mohammed had brought the world only "evil and inhuman" things.

So not like those paragons of virtue in the Catholic church then ... who have brought the world nothing but sweetness and light - and a novel approach to child care.

The odious EDL also like to make out they're Christians, defending the true English faith from the barbarity of Islam. They're not of course. They are racist thugs.

Either that or they've taken a rather obscure interpretation of the parable about throwing the first stone.

Warsi called for faith to be given "a seat at the table" and more influence in politics. Well, that's never gone wrong has it?

To cite a few recent examples - Tony Blair, George Dubya Bush, the Ayatollah, Saudi Arabia and al-Qaida.

This patent claptrap coupled with the "woe is me-ing" of Christian fundamentalists in recent days all adds up to a bizarre form of persecution complex.

This week we also had those enlightened people at Bideford Town Council wailing and gnashing their teeth after they were banned by the High Court from saying prayers before council meetings.

This, they claimed, was further evidence of the vicious persecution Christians face in this day and age.

Then we had the two bible-bashing B&B owners who claimed they were being picked on because they weren't allowed to discriminate against gay couples.

"How dare you not let me exercise my petty bigotries in the name of my imaginary friend of choice?

 It's political correctness gone mad!"