Christian protestors gathered outside Canterbury Cathedral to call for an end to a silent disco being held there to raise funds.<br /><br />Objectors faced the rain to say they did not want “an alcohol-fuelled rave to the music of Eminem in God's house”.<br /><br />They sang hymns as up to 750 people entered the holy building to spend the night dancing to classic 1990s tracks at the sold-out event.<br /><br />Church leaders say they need to reach out to younger people and find ways of raising the “large sums” the Cathedral requires to survive.<br /><br />One protestor Tom Alberto said the cathedral is the “very birthplace” of Christianity.<br /><br />“Saint Augustine landed here almost 1,500 years ago, it’s going to see a rave inside there tonight,” he continued.<br /><br />“Alcohol is going to be served and music – it’s the very opposite of holy.<br /><br />“It’s profane it is going to be played and, frankly, I was quite horrified to see the Church of England, the dean of the cathedral and the Archbishop were giving the okay on this.”<br /><br />The disco will see headphone-wearing party-goers dancing to tracks from the likes of the Vengaboys and All Saints.<br /><br />Church leaders say they need to reach out to younger people and find ways of raising the “large sums” the Cathedral requires to survive.<br /><br />Those opposed to the event, led by Dr Cajetan Skowronski, have raised their concerns during a meeting with the Dean of Canterbury, The Very Reverend Dr David Monteith.<br /><br />The disco, where alcohol is available is going ahead with the landmark’s historic Nave transformed into a dancefloor tonight and Friday night.<br /><br />About 15 protestors could be seen under umbrellas singing several well and lesser-known hymns.<br /><br />Speaking earlier this week, Dr Skowronski said: “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-fuelled rave to the music of Eminem in God's house.<br /><br />“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.”<br /><br />Dr Skowronski argues no other religion would consider using a sacred building in this way.<br /><br />“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 said.<br /><br />“It’s an unprecedented way to use this sacred place. It looks like more Cathedrals will be used this way but Canterbury is the most important of them all.<br /><br />“It’s not going to make younger people take the Church more seriously, it’s not going to make people think Christians take their faith seriously – no other religions would do this and it’s not effective evangelism.”<br /><br />The Dean of Canterbury, The Very Reverend Dr David Monteith, insists the silent disco will be “appropriate and respectful”.<br /><br />“Cathedrals have always been part of community life in a way much wider than their prime focus as centres of Christian worship and mission,” he said.<br /><br />“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.<br /><br />“Our 90s-themed silent disco will be appropriate to and respectful of the Cathedral - it is categorically not a ‘rave in the nave’ - but I appreciate that some will never agree that dancing and pop music have a place within cathedrals.”<br /><br />Serving as the main body of the building, the Nave is one of the key congregation points for religious services and extends from the entrance to the transepts/chancel.<br /><br />The Martyrdom site of Becket’s murder is in the north-west transept.<br /><br />It is expected that 750 people will attend each day, with two sessions on both the Thursday and Friday. Tickets were £25 - with VIP options up for grabs at £31 - but are now sold out according to the Cathedral.
