The Dean of Blackburn, Christopher Armstrong, writes about watered-down Christianity.

Most days I pass the new style Market Cross on my way to work.

It stands at the intersection of Church Street and Darwen Street in the centre of Blackburn, not too far away from the Great West doors of the Cathedral.

If I'm really lucky I can saunter by if the weather and the diary will allow.

Whatever form of transport you use however, it's quite clear that this handsome bronze football with slightly raised stitching is some way from the traditional market cross which is replaces.

In fact, this piece of art barely resembles a cross at all. It would be difficult to get crucified on its smooth lines though I'm sure the growing gaggle of friendly Goths who frequent the area will have had a good try.

The recently published "Blackburn, a History" by Derek Beattie tells me that the old Market Cross was nothing more than a stump anyway for it had been savaged by the Parliamentarians during the Civil War.

There is something very ominous and significant about the way the old cross and the Christianity for which is stood has been smoothed away and made palateable, even attractive.

The original crosses or branch of a tree upon which Jesus was crucified could not have been a very pretty item at all. Indeed, it was almost certainly a repulsive deterrent on which state enemies were dispatched, which is just what happened to Jesus.

So, if we take the Blackburn Market Cross as a barometer, Christianity has been tamed, made respectable and marginalized over the last few centuries.

It's been a fascinating progress' to chart. There's so much more to say about that process but we are where we are with Christianity now, like is or loathe is.

I remember some quipping student placard which said, "Come the Revolution, will there be enough evidence of Christianity to convict you"?

Hmm. An interesting thought to ponder during Lent - which is the very point that Anjum Anwar and her son raised during their Islamic supper conversation on her blog the other day - and the very purpose of the Cathedral Blog this Lent!

Christianity for many folk - if not an irrelevance - is something of a pastime, a decoration, a rapidly dissolving strand of our national culture.

Or is it? Many members of the chattering classes would like to have is that way - and certainly many commentators in the media like to give is a kick just in case isn't quite dead but this particular faith refuses to lie down.

The fracas caused by the Archbishop of Canterbury's comments on Sharia Law are a symptom of this tenacity of faith.

I think it is fair to suggest that the Archbishop was suggesting that there is a Higher Law than state legislation which so many subjects in the country recognizes, be they Christian, Jew, Muslim or whatever.

The fracas was caused by the Establishment suddenly wondering what would happen if people of faith joined forces.

It sent a resounding shudder down the backs of the smug secularists. In Blackburn with Darwen however, the local council - navigating in a very complex field of faith - has got beyond that silly probem and now recognizes once more the very significant part which faith communities play.

Our Muslim friends are passionate that Christianity retains its vigour for it is a flagship for faith in these parts.

As one of their spokesmen said of this cathedral, it is our cathedral too'. Christian schools are much sought after by people of other faiths because of their distinctive ethos - but I won't pursue that line for is will open up a big can of worms which I don't want to do at this moment.

I simply wish to illustrate that the Christian faith is alive and well at this moment in time. Take the work of Parliament last week as an illustration.

There is a great fuss going on at Salisbury Cathedral about the conservation of their stonework.

One of the funding bodies has moved the goal-posts leaving them seriously short of cash to complete their current repair work.

The problem is so serious that a debate was forced in the Commons on 19 February.

During the debate, Margaret Hodge, the Minister for Culture, Media and Sport, made reference to the work of cathedrals in particular as not only places of worship but of education, the encouragement of art, critical historic monuments and serious little earners, raising £91millions for the local economy directly or indirectly.

I'm only too well aware of the many failings and failures of Christianity in my own life and in our locality but dead it is not!

Roll on that glass of champagne after the 5 am service on Easter morning!