//I believe that this is just another ruse by nonconformist churches//

The author is Anglican. Insofar as the term 'nonconformist church' can be said to apply in the Australian context, it seems to me that Anglicans don't fit the definition.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nonconformist_(Protestantism)

//Pews remain empty except for the Catholic ones.//

No, they're empty too.

//who might or might not have Christian motives//

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+25%3A31-46&version=KJV

By all means feel free to disagree with Christians who are in favour of the welfare state, but it's a rather a stretch to suggest that they are being non-Christian by doing so.

Applied Christianity?

Is that different from Theoretical Christianity?

Yes, Mr 0.
If you want to see what happens when someone's theoretically a Christian but fails to apply it, take a look at runner.

Aidan,

runner is the sort of person who should definitely tweet Ricky Gervais to let him know what he thinks.

I think runner is deserving of such an experience.

Certainly the apostle Paul wrote that those who would not work should not eat. He also said that men who refused to provide for their families were worse than infidels. Giving instruction of which widows were to receive help he stated they needed to have shown they served others. The applied Christianity welfare that David speaks of is very different from the bible view. Then again coming from a church that is largely dominated by feminist and homosexuals in certain parts it is no wonder David reaches his socialist conclusions.

runner

Ricky Gervais wants you to tweet him.