Dark Church, Bradford

If one looks at the website of Life Church in Bradford, one will see a large room full of dancing and laughing younger people, all good-looking, all well dressed. Although its structure, its style and its theological emphases are alien to me, its building still took me by surprise. Such gigantic gatherings are used to meeting in spacious, warehouse-like facilities, which tend to look like industrial units, like Life Church, Burnley. Bradford’s Life Church, however, has a building which quite frankly appeared a little sinister. Painted all black with high and narrow windows and a daunting feature which resembles a watchtower, it reminded me of some dystopian detention centre, such as those employed in James McTeigue's 2005 V for Vendetta. The security gates had stark, written warnings attached, while enjoying the benefits of sharp, jagged tops to cut the limbs of those who would climb over, which reinforced this ominous impression. I dare say anyone attending would be bemused by this assessment, and would point out the warm welcomes, the soothing music and the smooth leadership. Yet the building, at least from without, is horrible.

Sometimes religious organisations, even some kinds of churches, are prisons and gaols. It is easier to get in than out. From such cults and sects may God deliver us; from over-mighty, always-correct leaderships, may God divert us; from impregnable human empires, may God rescue us.