Fun in cathedrals

A full-size helta skelta in Norwich cathedral? Or a nine-hole crazy-golf course in Rochester cathedral? Whatever next?  Here at HH eyebrows are even sometimes raised when the kids charge around hollering in our humble meeting room.

Norwich cathedral

Rochester cathedral

I can well imagine some folk thinking this is blasphemy. I admit the attractions do appear somewhat out of place and I don't know whether to laugh or maintain a stiff upper lip. But perhaps that is the aim, because the ideas were evidently prompted by archbishop Justin Welby who advised his clergy:  "if you can't have fun in cathedrals then you're not doing your job properly".

When Jacob awoke from his sleep and said, "Surely the LORD is in this place, and I did not know it." And he was afraid and said, "How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven." you'll note that it wasn't his surroundings (a rock for a pillow) that made the place awful, but the presence of God. Without doubt the cathedrals were built to inspire awe but awe of what?