Christians have denounced an opera based on a daytime chatshow as "anti-Christian, blasphemous and total falsehood."

Members of Christian group Witness For Truth took out a half-page advert in The Argus on Friday, condemning Jerry Springer The Opera.

The controversial show comes to the Dome in Brighton today for the final leg of its UK tour.

Witness For Truth member Geoff Holding is also chief executive officer of Ashton Park School near Pulborough and a member of the Exclusive Brethren, a Christian group that shuns modern technology and higher education.

He said: "People are quite happy to stand back and see the Lord's name profaned. I don't condemn anybody but in a country where we are being taught even by law to respect other people I think it is insensitive."

Mr Holding said he had not seen the show and would not want to.

The opera was inspired by an episode of the now infamous Springer chat show which features subjects like 'Christmas With The Klan', 'I'm Pregnant By A Transsexual' and 'I Married A Horse'.

It tells the tale of Jerry Springer's death in a studio brawl and his subsequent descent into hell.

Here he is confronted by the wrecked lives of his guests and forced to arbitrate between Satan and God.

The show has caused a furore since it was broadcast by the BBC last year, with evangelical group Christian Voice mounting a 60,000 signature petition against it.

Almost every theatre where it has played has had demonstrations outside and some venues even cancelled its booking.

But the show's creators say people have completely misunderstood the show's message and should watch the opera before condemning it.

Co-writer and composer Richard Thomas said: "We have high hopes for Brighton. If Brighton doesn't want us then we're all doomed.

"In Cardiff, we had people from Christian Voice coming to a debate about it and once they'd seen it they had the wind taken out of their sails. It's nowhere near blasphemous.

"It's about freedom of speech."

Not all Christians are against the show. Brighton Church of England group Christ Church were to hold a debate about the opera yesterday.

Church leader Carl Chambers, who has read the script, said: "We live in a country where we do protect freedom of speech and, personally, I want to encourage people to discuss it."

Polly Toynbee, chairwoman of Brighton Dome and Festival, will chair a debate about the show on Saturday with panel members including Richard Thomas and Father Andrew Manson Brailsford from St George's Church in Kemp Town.

The show opens today at the Dome Concert Hall in Church Street, Brighton, at 7.30pm.