Yeah I noticed the ease with which the better part of a billion dollars was pledged for this. Although in fairness it is as much a national symbol and tourist attraction for France, as it is a religious building. How many of those people witnessing the fire and regressing to hymn-singing, seriously think the crown of thorns or the piece of the "true cross" are genuine? How many people attend worship in that building anymore? Most of the time when I was visiting churches in Europe, they looked to be about 5% full when services were in progress, and they seemed to tolerate the tourists because of the donations they got at the entrance -- which they doubtless need to keep the doors open.

Yup.

"Our imaginary afterlife is far more important than real lives of peasants" - Holy people

It's not just about religion but a French icon and a part of their identity. Besides, I have a big issue in simply feeding people (talk about feeding animals and, at the same time, breeding them for our own food - that, to me is absurd).

I agree. So far, nearly one billion dollars has been pledged. A lot of homeless folks could be housed for one billion bucks!

Money is just an accounting system. Allocation of resources of labor and materials needed to repair the cathedral will not have much effect on agricultural production.

There might be a slight effect on housing and building construction, but the cathedral will be enjoyed by billions of people over the years, making the allocation seem reasonable.

It's about money. Notre Dame has been getting 30,000 visitors a day on average. They spend a lot of money in Paris on hotels and food, other things. They don't want to lose that money.

Poverty can be cured by controlling, perhaps imprisoning, the greedy power mongers who conspire and cheat people. They have infiltrated the US government, and many others. Solving poverty, hunger and climate change is not difficult today, except for the push back from those in control. They will do anything to remain in control. I think most people will do nothing.

No the "New World" doesn't have buildings like that. While the point of the OP is a little over the top, it holds water under the basic premise. It's a temple. Raze 'em all, no great loss.

People comparing this to the Library of Alexandria burning -- it's so silly. In that fire, we lost valuable knowledge we can't replace. In this one, we may have lost a few things about a fairy tale.

I don't find it absurd. By this logic, no one can spend any money on any thing until world poverty is fixed. And it isn't just the religious. I didn't have a problem with building an expensive memorial at ground zero.

I don't believe in a god, and I'm no fan of organized religion, but I'm all for restoring the cathedral. I am very sad this fire happened. I couldn't even bear to watch news coverage of it. It has enormous cultural significance beyond its religious significance.

Yes nobody but nobody is saying anything about fixing the much older building that the US and its alies bombed in Syria, Libya, etc, etc.

That statement can be made about almost anything. Of course great architecture, art, and history are important, whether or not you see them as valuable. If you want to donate to feeding people and animals, nobody is stopping you.

The history and art are significant and beyond value. This has little to do with religion.