Cathedrals are doing better than churches because they don't "bang on" about God, Sir Simon Jenkins has suggested.
The author, who was discussing his new book on England's churches at the Hay Festival, said cathedrals were responding to the public's desire for a more spiritual and less religious experience.
Considering the popularity of Cathedrals among the public he said, "there's something about cathedrals that draws you in which is not being drawn into parish churches.
“One or two sociologists have explained it, one said if you go to a cathedral now it's anonymous. It's pillar worship, people can't see you reading.
"No one shakes you by the hand, no one says peace be upon you. I asked a canon once why cathedrals are doing so well, he said 'unlike churches we don't bang on about God'. Which is very odd but also I sense rather true."
delusionsofgrandad on June 5th, 2017 at 15:36 UTC »
Guy clearly doesn't get out very much because churches in the UK are mostly exactly like that. Village churches are more like community hubs in modern Britain, organising charity events and cream tea mornings. There's very little Wrath of God type stuff in Anglican churches.
That's why this joke works.
Krytan on June 5th, 2017 at 15:27 UTC »
Similarly thr IRS would be a lot more popular if they got over their obsession with taxes and focused on other things.
ilyaev_ on June 5th, 2017 at 12:57 UTC »
I would probably go to church for the community, I'm not religious but if we could all just get along, help our little street out and support one another. I would be down for that.