They’re standing up to Slim Shady.
Incensed Christians are protesting a sold-out silent disco at Canterbury Cathedral this week because they don’t want a “rave to Eminem in God’s house,” SWNS reports.
The famed cathedral, southeast of London, is set to welcome about 750 people each on Thursday and Friday nights for the ’90s-themed event.
Headphone-wearing attendees will bop along to music from Britney Spears, TLC, Eminem, and the Spice Girls while enjoying alcohol as the landmark’s historic Nave is transformed into a dance floor.
Tickets were $31 — with VIP options up for grabs at $40 — before they sold out.
“Party positive vibes for a feel-good experience” are promised — but some conservative Christians are vehemently against the two-day gathering.
Several have raised concerns with the dean of Canterbury, the Very Reverend Dr. David Monteith, but were dismayed to learn that the show will go on.
“While respectful of our right to protest, the Dean was dismissive of our petition, stating that we were an extreme minority — for not wanting an alcohol-fueled rave to the music of Eminem in God’s house,” said Dr. Cajetan Skowronski, who is leading the protest.
“Dr. Monteith was convinced — with no 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 will lead people to believe Christians don’t “take their faith seriously.”
“Discos and parties and things are absolutely great but only in their proper place — it’s all well and good in a nightclub, but Canterbury Cathedral was not built for this,” he argued.
The Sussex-based doctor expects about 30 people will participate in his peaceful protest Thursday night at Christ Church Gate and hopes others join in.
“It promises to be a very special evening of faithful witness with hymns, prayer and scripture as the ravers process in,” Skowronski said.
“If we do not resist, our ancient temples will become nightclubs on a regular basis, and the Christian faith in this country will be further diminished,” he resolved. “We are alive and kicking and devoted to maintaining our sacred places for their true purpose: worship.”
A local poll found that 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 a way — much wider than their prime focus as centers of Christian worship and mission,” he said.
“Whilst dancing of all different kinds has happened 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 different views on the secular and the sacred,” Monteith continued.
He promises the gathering will be in good taste.
“Our ’90s-themed silent disco will be appropriate to and respectful of the Cathedral — it is categorically not a ‘rave in the nave’ [a part of the cathedral] — but I appreciate that some will never agree that dancing and pop music have a place within cathedrals,” Monteith said.
Church leaders explained that the event is part of a campaign to reach younger people and to raise the “large sums” the cathedral requires to run.
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