Canterbury Cathedral has been accused of promoting "New Age" beliefs in a new art work which features video pictures of a naked baby to a soundtrack of Buddhist chanting.
The installation in the cathedral's 900-year-old crypt has upset evangelicals who say that the repeated use of the sound "om", which is regarded as sacred by both Buddhists and Hindus, is incompatible with Christianity.
The Evangelical Alliance said it welcomed new art but the use of "unequivocally" Buddhist and Hindu elements represented "new age spirituality which has no place at the symbolic heart of British Christianity".
The Alliance, which represents more than one million British Christians, added: "It sends out mixed messages at a time when all Christians should be concentrating on speaking out clearly and unambiguously about the uniqueness of Jesus Christ to all those outside the Church."
The work, which will be unveiled tomorrow, is also likely to embarrass the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr George Carey. Last year he encouraged the removal of a prayer from the Anglican Communion website because it included Mohammed and Buddha among a list of Christian saints.
But the installation was defended by the cathedral. Titled 18:1-7 The Crypt, the digital installation, the first such work to be exhibited in the 1,400-year-old cathedral, combines moving images of a two-year-old baby with the sound of a human voice chanting "om".
James Cattell, who has exhibited his work in London and Stockholm, said: "The word om used within the soundpiece derives from a Buddhist influence but has been adopted by many individuals outside of this religion for their own purpose."
Canon Richard March, the cathedral's Director of Education, said the use of "om" was an integral part of the piece, and contributed to the spirituality of the place.
In Hinduism, "om" is regarded as the "sacred syllable" representing the universe and its oneness with God. It also features in the greatest Buddhist mantra, known as the "jewel in the lotus".