UPDATED: Cathedral gimmicks: news and comment
Recent well-publicised reports of a putt-putt course and fairground slide in cathedral naves have given rise to news of other, more seriously inappropriate events, and have led to reflection on the purpose of these buildings and the spiritual state of church and nation. Latest articles at the top.
‘God is a tourist attraction’ by Jon Brown, Washington Examiner
Southwark Cathedral hosts controversial US pastor. Nadia Bolz-Weber opposes biblical teachings on sex and marriage, mocks traditional teaching on sexual purity, and openly advocates incorporation of occult worship into Christian practice.
‘God is a tourist attraction’ Anglican bishop says on cathedral carnival ride, by Christine Rousselle, Catholic Herald
There will always be an England? BBC helter-skelter cathedral report misses a crucial fact, by Terry Mattingly, Get Religion
A Tale of Two Cathedrals by David Robertson, theweeflea
Onward, Christian Taliban! Marching Into Cathedrals by Jules Gomes, Church Militant
Cathedral gimmicks illustrate spiritually blind Britain and mute Church, by Andrew Symes, Anglican Mainstream: “I was recently at Truro Cathedral for a university graduation ceremony, where a brilliant acapella version of Bohemian Rhapsody was sung by a robed choir…A cathedral without the gospel in an increasingly secular country is like Athens’ temple to the unknown god – a mysterious signpost which needs a guide to explain the true meaning of the journey, and the destination.”
Gimmicks might catch the attention, but education puts down roots that will last, by Irene Lancaster, Christian Today
Crazy cathedrals and stately street preachers, by Paul Huxley, Christian Concern
UK cathedrals become amusement parks to attract visitors, by Kaley Payne, Eternity News
Minigolf and carnival rides: The profane conquers the sacred, by Joshua Gregor, Acton Institute
Convert or be converted – the challenge for Anglican cathedrals today, by Gavin Ashenden, Anglican Ink
Choristers and canons get first rides on cathedral helter skelter, from Premier
Norwich cathedral helter-skelter is “a mistake”: Gavin Ashenden comments on BBC News
Should cathedrals be used as playgrounds? by Ian Paul, Psephizo
A holy-in-one? Rochester Cathedral opens its own crazy golf course — and Norwich has a helter-skelter on the way by Rachel Turner, Country Life
Double bogey or par? The gentlemen from Anglican Unscripted discuss.
Catholic Fury Over Sacrilege at St. John Fisher’s Cathedral, by Jules Gomes, Church Militant