Last weekend, a group from a religious organization made their way into EDC Orlando, confronting attendees inside the festival grounds – not just outside the gates. Instagram videos and captions show the group approaching ravers, calling them “sinners,” praying for storms to shut the festival down, and celebrating weather delays as divine intervention.
Some even recorded vulnerable attendees, including one unconscious woman being carried to the medical tent. Others claimed they were “saving” ravers by cutting off their wristbands and encouraging them to leave the festival.
Who are they and where are they going
This wasn’t their first appearance at a major music event. Led by Philip Renner of Philip Renner Ministries and Shock the Darkness, the group has also visited Ultra Music Festival, Burning Man, and Coachella – labeling some as “demonic music festivals.” Their social media posts boasted claims of “602 salvations” at Ultra and over “1,493 souls won for Christ at EDC.”
What they’re saying
The viral clips captured a wide range of statements that raised eyebrows in the rave community:
- Calling the festival a “demonic atmosphere”
- Celebrating severe weather: “God shut this thing down… when we said it is done, God moved.”
- Praying at bar tents: “When people come here to get drinks, they will leave with the conviction of God.”
- Criticizing Christian ravers: “It blows my mind that so many claim to be Christians and think it’s fine to party here… God hates what’s happening here”
- Claiming mass conversions: “The ravers, the EDM people, there is going to be movement, another Jesus movement among these people and they’re gonna be radical for God and they’re gonna have a radical commitment and they’re gonna go into these place and lead people to Jesus in droves”
Some members filmed people in medical distress while narrating that ravers were being “saved from drugs, sex before marriage, adultery, and alcohol.” Videos from the group’s leaders also framed the festival as a “devil’s playground” and encouraged attendees to leave.
Contradicting the values of rave culture
EDM culture is rooted in PLUR: Peace, Love, Unity, Respect. When behavior crosses lines of intrusion, judgment, or emotional harm, it’s fair to ask how it fits into those values.
Is it peaceful to pray and celebrate severe weather that could potentially put people in harm? Is going out of your way to go to an event – one that famously celebrates “all are welcome here” – to call attendees “sinners” showing love? Does pushing conversion over coexistence truly reflect unity? Is it respectful to target vulnerable attendees, including those in medical distress?
A path forward
Religious freedom absolutely belongs in our world, but boundaries matter, especially in stimulating environments with complex safety considerations.
If these groups truly want to be present at festivals, there’s a solution that respects everyone:
- Apply as an official vendor or partner, like any other organization.
- Set up a booth so that attendees can choose to approach them voluntarily.
- Avoid targeting or cornering vulnerable individuals.
- Respect the role of Insomniac’s Ground Control, who are trained to care for attendees in distress.
- Hold space without disrupting the flow or safety of the event.
This approach allows them to share their message ethically without compromising festival attendees’ comfort or violating PLUR culture.
The rave community thrives on acceptance, expression, and collective joy while celebrating the music and diversity that brings us together. Faith and EDM culture are not mutually exclusive, but is forcing beliefs onto others or celebrating disruption and potential harm crossing a line?
How can festivals balance personal beliefs and PLUR values? Let us know what you think!