I love Paris and this is a human tragedy. But

[lindysalsagal]

Ok ok. The stained glass, the statues, art, craftsmanship. Gottit. This thing was 11th century.

But


Why did "god" let his greatest cathedral burn?

Why do any churches burn? Ever?

[msongs]

1. maybe its an opportunity to rebuild bigger and better nt

[shanny]

3. If they decided to build a better Church,

as opposed to a better cathedral, I'd be OK with that.

[mobeau69]

2. And I thought trump's comments would be the worst I'd see today.

[uriel1972]

10. What is so bad about the question?

It goes to the heart of the matter of religion.

[No Vested Interest]

11. Agree, mobeau.....

[trotsky]

14. Really? "The worst"?

For asking a very simple question?

[Act_of_Reparation]

17. OH MY GOODNESS GRACIOUS ME

Someone questioned the existence of an intercessory deity! What's next? Young people having sex???? It'll be ANARCHY!!!!!!!

[Mariana]

18. Yes, yes, we know how privileged you are.

Since you felt such a pressing need to invade this safe haven group to criticize one of its participants, the least you could do is answer the question.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

4. There is no god, and no god ordains any human activity. n/t

[progressoid]

5. Jerusalem's Al-Aqsa Mosque Fire Burns at the Same Time As Flames Engulf Notre Dame Cathedral

This is gonna blow the minds of some conspiracy inclined religionists.


https://www.newsweek.com/notre-dame-fire-aqsa-mosque-1397259

[SCantiGOP]

6. In the 18th and 19th century

It was difficult to get churches to install lightening rods. And since the church spire was normally the highest point in town, an inordinate number of churches were struck and burned.
Reason finally overcame those who saw the lightening as divine judgments on the church for, well, not being churchy enough.

[Freelancer]

7. It ain't personal. It's only physics. -nt

[lindysalsagal]

9. Thank you. It's nostalgia, nothing more.

[RussBLib]

8. I'd have been more upset if the Eiffel Tower had fallen

Notre Dame is like so many other churches: some nice architecture, some decent art, but full of silly people doing silly things.

[John1956PA]

12. A 1984 fire at England's York catherdral "sparked" a similar discussion.

From https://www.upi.com/Archives/1984/07/09/A-fire-believed-to-have-been-sparked-by-lightning/1100458193600/ :

YORK, England -- A fire believed to have been sparked by lightning gutted part of the medieval York cathedral, causing $1.3 million in damage, but firefighters and priests braved flames to save the Gothic church's 13th century masterpieces.

The fire came just days after the controversial Rev. David Jenkins was consecrated as bishop of Durham in the York Minister.

Jenkins triggered an uproar when he publicly questioned Anglican church belief in the virgin birth, miracles performed by Jesus Christ and Christ's resurrection. Rev. John Mole, a vicar who shouted protests during Friday's consecration ceremonies, said he thought the wrath of God may be behind the fire that erupted early Monday in the 13th-century gothic church.

The Archbishop of Cantebury, Robert Runcie, warned that "individuals should be careful in declaring divine intervention."

From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/York_Minster :

On 9 July 1984, a fire considered "likely" to have been caused by a lightning strike destroyed the roof in the south transept, and around £2.5 million was spent on repairs. The fire was photographed from just south of the minster in the early hours. This picture was subsequently published[citation needed] showing the South transept alight with a list of North Yorkshire firefighters attending. The stations attending ranged from Scarborough to Harrogate. Huge amounts of water were needed to provide jets at great height to hit the roof timbers and protect the Rose Window. Most of the water was pumped from the Ouse nearby because the water supplies around the minster were inadequate. Fire crews from the main York fire station in Clifford Street worked hard to protect the Rose Window and stop the fire spreading into the tower and organ. Many crews worked for hours and some were on high levels of the minster at the time when the South transept roof fell in, forming a pile of timber covering the whole of the south transept floor to a height of at least six feet. The restoration work was completed in 1988, and included new roof bosses to designs which had won a competition organised by BBC Television's Blue Peter programme. In 2007 renovation began on the east front, including the Great East Window, at an estimated cost of £23 million.

A picture from another site:

[Brainstormy]

13. because it was Holy Week and

God takes the whole week off?

[lindysalsagal]

16. Rim shot.

Thread winner.

[Voltaire2]

15. Ask Pascal. Clearly they've chosen the wrong god(s).