William i couldn't agree more with what you said. yet speaking out with the voice of reason and perspective seems to only attract negative comments.

"Considering all of the issues that threaten both human civilization and animal life on the planet, it seems foolish that people around the world would prioritize replaceable cultural monuments over human life and the health of the planet that they call home. However, this type of behavior is typical for our species, and is precisely the reason why we have problems like war, poverty and endangered species."

[truththeory.com]

So far, according to a news report I watched last night, the ONLY OFFER yet to come from the 'Citadel of Rampant, Robe wearing, Paedophiles, aka the Vatican, has been the usual 'Thoughts and Prayers.'
The generosity of the Church of Child Abuse is as patently as obvious, in my opinion, as is their decency, caring and Honesty.

I fully completely agree with you. Free thinking and discarding the old belief systems is the real solution to our crooked, sick thinking with highly screwed up priorities.

Notre Dame Cathedral burning and some atheists feel sorry that a so called piece of art namely the old structure is destroyed? Well, this ‘art’ represents a structure where lies are taught generation after generation. This piece of ‘art’ is tax exempt while the poor sleep in the streets. Why don’t churches and temples let the homeless sleep in them? These ‘art’ were built through slave labor and there are even reports that the handicapped such as blind people are forced into labor for these ‘art’. These structures are ‘evil art’ if they are truly ‘art’. I won’t lose a tear for their destruction. All I see is evil when I see one of these ‘art’ structures.

it's not a contest. we can be sad for the destruction of beautiful art and architecture without fearing being thought callous to the plight of the hungry and wretched. whether we do or not is another story but there is no point in condemning the media for reporting an historic and tragic event. it does not cheapen other historic and tragic events to cover it.

g

"The best responses to this catastrophe recall, amid the grief, that Notre Dame’s spire was a nineteenth-century restoration by Eugene Viollet-le-Duc, replacing an original that was taken down in the reign of Louis XVI. Most constructions, all cities, every culture, are constantly rebuilt in the midst of damage and loss. Mourning and renewal are linked together as long as the world goes on. Loss is its own meaning. And civilization is the story of rebuilding."

[newrepublic.com]

When it happens to others, particularly when due to US militarism, the MSM does not treat it in quite the same manner.

This Iraqi man is weeping over the theft and destruction of the antiquities of an Iraqi museum, the very cradle of civilization.

Strangely enough, the destruction of this little girl's home hurts me more... mostly because so many people couldn't care less.

Notre Dame Cathedral in 360° panorama.

[360cities.net]

It's sad. People gave their lives for this place. The loss of artwork is terrible.

It is sad. A great work of art for itself. Other equal catastrophes have occurred and been nearly ignored - the giant Buddhas destroyed by the Taliban for interest

I get astounded and sickened when I think of how much money, time, effort and human lives went into build such edifices to Gullibility in times when people could barely scratch out a living, had to taxes to both the country, the church (as they still do) and the self-appointed Nobilities as well.
All a church/cathedral really is is a monument to 'house' an Imaginary, Invisible, Useless invention, aka, a God.

The news seems also to be making this almost a plug for faith. Easter Sunday coming, beloved religious icon of the faithful, etc. And yet, if their worldview is/was true... this is just "stuff." No one died in its destruction. There's truly something to be said for that.

Wow, William Charles...that’s a lot of preaching for an atheist website. We can still comment and feel saddened by the loss of 800 years of architectural achievement, art and history without having to lament every injustice in the world. People can be upset by both. No need to clutch your pearls in outrage.