FM
Are you a animal farmist?
"All animals are equal, but some are more equal than others"
In our simeonesque society we have established a natural heirachy with God at the number one spot (would you refer to him as Mate?) and the rest of us falling into an organised ordination some way below him.
Whilst I would stop well short of obseqiousness and forlock tugging, deference is a mark of respect for someones position in society and not a notification of yours.
With regards to you refering to Judges by their first name, may I suggest, when you're up before the beak, that you address him as "your honour" or "my Lord" unless of course you don't care how long you go down for!