Cathedrals have been accused of turning themselves into novelty modern art exhibitions and hosting events that undermine their sanctity.
Events scheduled at Britain's largest churches this autumn include "sunset yoga" beneath a sculpture of Mars and the installation of a giant swing to "celebrate the importance of play for wellbeing".
Cathedral deans say they need to put on non-religious events to pay for the ancient buildings' upkeep and to attract non-Christians, but critics argue the events are not appropriate in sacred spaces.
Gloucester Cathedral has installed a rotating sculpture of Mars in its nave and hosted sunset yoga beneath it on Oct 16 and 23, charging £15 per person.
In Leicester Cathedral, a swing has been suspended in the middle of the church to "celebrate the importance of play for wellbeing".
The Very Rev Karen Rooms, the cathedral's dean, said of the free art exhibit: "We want people to pray and connect with God, but we also want people to enjoy their visit."
Hereford Cathedral last week put on a light show, which illuminated the building with images of the universe, while Southwark Cathedral is the latest to exhibit Gaia, a sculpture of the Earth which has toured different cathedrals in recent years.
At Coventry Cathedral today/on Saturday, the "Ibiza proms" saw a 40-piece orchestra perform "a carefully selected mix of the most iconic Ibiza dance anthems".
Salisbury Cathedral has become the latest in several cathedrals to host "silent discos", which critics have branded "raves in the nave".
"At Salisbury Cathedral we have an aim to encourage an ever-wider range of people to discover and enjoy the building in new ways or for the first time," a spokesman said.
The Rev Marcus Walker, the rector of St Bartholomew the Great in the City of London and chairman of Save The Parish told The Telegraph cathedrals needed to remember that they are "viewed by many as sacred".
"Churches and cathedrals need to stay afloat with the limited support they get from the Government and the central church and this will inevitably involve hiring out their spaces," he said.
"But the question is whether these events are pointing to God, or are they just a gimmick? There are things that cathedrals can put on that are not offensive.
"But then there are things that feel sacrilegious to many like giant nightclubs that tell the world that the church no longer believes in its places of worship as centres of prayer where the gap between heaven and earth is that little bit slimmer.
"It is very interesting to me that this has all happened relatively recently. I am not convinced at all that cathedrals need to put on raves in the nave to survive."
Dr Cajetan Skowronski, who campaigns against "raves in the nave", said: "Britain's great cathedrals are in danger of becoming little more than novelty modern art exhibitions and knock-off nightclubs.
"No serious religion should treat its places of worship this way. The Church of England should treat them with the same kind of respect you might expect for other historic monuments."
The Very Rev Dr David Monteith, Dean of Canterbury and chairman of the College of Deans said cathedrals cost as much as £30,000 to maintain every day.
"We receive no regular funding from Government or the Church of England so like the church leaders of the past we are being imaginative and proactive in securing these places for the future whilst continuing the daily round of prayer and praise," he said.
"From the medieval markets of olde to the sales of beer or bread or honey, cathedrals being innovative and entrepreneurial in using our spaces and talents for God's glory is nothing new but instead is now reinvented afresh for the 21st century."
The Very Rev John Witcombe, dean of Coventry, said: "Cathedrals have become inclusive spaces in an ever more polarised society - places where all are welcome.
"They are also hard to sustain, and the financial benefits of hosting a wide range of events are part of what enables us to stay open for all - and to keep worship at the heart of all that we do."
The Very Rev Andrew Zihni, dean of Gloucester, said: "We are currently hosting Luke Jerram's Mars installation, which is encouraging visitors to reflect on God's creation and the themes of war and peace, so pertinent in the current climate.
"The recent yoga sessions at Gloucester Cathedral form part of a broader initiative to invite the community to connect and engage with our unique and sacred setting.
"Through activities like yoga, gardening, walking rugby, and reflective services, the Cathedral supports community well-being and offers inclusive ways for all to engage with our sacred space. Gloucester Cathedral extends a warm invitation to all."
A spokesman for the Association of English Cathedrals said the "openness and invitation" shown by the events was "one of the reasons cathedrals are bucking the trend in the Church of England [by] showing significant growth".
All cathedrals named in this article were approached for comment.