I hope this isn't overstepping any Pemberley guidelines, but AV mentions the "unenthusiastic religion" and the "absence of religious fervour" of the era more than once. This coincides with what I've always felt in JA's novels. Although high moral principles were obviously important to her, her attitude towards the church and religion (despite being a clergyman's daughter) was very matter-of-fact - among other things, it seems as if in her books, being a clergyman was just another job, and I still remember being a little shocked when I first read P&P (many, many years ago) that Mr. Collins would play cards for money!