They stand up to Slim Shady.
Furious Christians are protesting a sold-out silent disco at Canterbury Cathedral this week because they don’t want an “Eminem rave in the house of God”. SWNS Reports.
The famous cathedral, south-east of London, is expected to host approximately 750 people each on Thursday and Friday evenings for this ’90s-themed event.
Participants wearing headphones will dance to music from Britney Spears, TLC, Eminem and the Spice Girls while enjoying alcohol as the historic nave of the monument transforms into a dance floor.
Tickets were $31 – with VIP options up for grabs at $40 – before they sold out.
“Positive vibes for a celebration and feel-good experience” are promised – but some conservative Christians are vehemently opposed to the two-day gathering.
Several raised their concerns with the Dean of Canterbury, the Very Reverend Dr David Monteith, but were dismayed to learn that the show would go on.
“While respecting our right to protest, the dean rejected our petition, stating that we were in the extreme minority – for not wanting a drunken rave to Eminem music in the house of God,” said Dr. Cajetan Skowronski, who is leading the protest.
“Dr. Monteith was convinced – without any evidence – that the majority of Christians would support this disco, and our petition and reasoned arguments could not change his mind,” Skowronski continued.
Skowronski insists that no other religion would consider using a sacred building in this way and that the event would lead people to believe that Christians do not “take their faith seriously.”
“Discotheques, parties and everything else are absolutely great, but only in their place. It’s all well and good in a nightclub, but Canterbury Cathedral wasn’t built for that,” he said. he argued.
The Sussex-based doctor expects around 30 people to attend his peaceful protest on Thursday evening at Christ Church Gate and hopes more will join him.
“This promises to be a very special evening of faithful witness with hymns, prayers and scriptures as the ravers move forward,” Skowronski said.
“If we do not resist, our ancient temples will regularly become nightclubs and the Christian faith in this country will be further diminished,” he resolved. “We are alive and well and committed to maintaining our sacred places for their true purpose: worship. »
A local poll found 54% support the event, while 46% are opposed.
Monteith, for his part, says the silent disco will be “appropriate and respectful.”
“Cathedrals have always been part of community life in some way – well beyond their primary purpose as centers of worship and Christian mission,” he said.
“While dances of all kinds have taken place in the cathedral over the centuries – and the Bible memorably celebrates the gift of dancing with King David dancing before the Lord (2 Samuel 6) – there are many points different views on the profane and the sacred,” Monteith continued.
He promises that the meeting will be in good taste.
“Our 90s themed silent disco will be appropriate and respectful of the cathedral – it is absolutely not a ‘rave in the nave’ (part of the cathedral) – but I appreciate that some will never accept that dance and pop music have their place in cathedrals,” Monteith said.
Church leaders said the event is part of a campaign to reach young people and raise the “significant sums” the cathedral needs to operate.
