“...but it’s just a building.”
I must beg to differ here.
Most of these late 19th century, early twentieth century churches are churches built by European immigrants with the little money they had. They are monuments to faith, culture and struggle.
Occupying the religious structures of conquered peoples is a hallmark of Islamic conquest. It is aggression.
Holy Trinity is a nave church with a north-south orientation. The sanctuary faces south. The architecture of the building is a processional space with an unmistakable hierarchy culminating in the south apse. These jokers will no doubt put up a mihrab along the east nave wall which they will face in prayer. Every service they have will be a statement of conquest over the Christians who erected the building and their children who submitted to them.
I agree with Mark. Stay and defend, or respectfully remove.
I understand the tendency to attribute holiness to historical structures due to the hearts of the believers who built them. I don't see where the idea that all church structures, even the most splendid examples are holy in and of themselves. It is what goes on in them 9or out of them) that adds the holiness: Again I say to you, that if two of you agree on earth about anything that they may ask, it shall be done for them by My Father who is in heaven. 20"For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst."
Jesus does not require any man-made structure to shine in all His Glory.
Pre-death/resurrection (Old Covenant) the Temple was whole. Upon His death, the curtain was split and the original symbolism was destroyed to be replaced by the New Covenant where men in temples no longer stood between us and God.THE TEMPLE is supposed to be rebuilt when the abomination that stands in its place is overthrown - that is the only structure that will have true consequence in the scheme of His Reign and it hasn't stood since 70 AD or so.
I think we get diverted by too many things that are of the Earth and it takes the focus away from the important stuff - wherever we gather to worship, He is there - what more do we need while we await His return?
I know He preached in numerous temples, but that was where those who needed to be educated (pharisees/priests) about their misguided ideas about their own importance/standing spent their time.
Monuments come and monuments go - He was/is/will be (as His part of the Great I Am) and we have the opportunity to be part of the is/will be crowd with or without these monuments.
While taking over these monuments is part of Islamic aggression, we can't stop it and whenever we rail against such things, we are missing opportunities to carry the message of Him - that message has nothing to do with the buildings we gather in - we don't keep building holy places; we build places where holy interaction and worship can be conveniently undertaken.
Those who take over the religious monuments think their 'god' requires protection and defense by mortal men - our God does not require such pitifully impotent support. He IS, regardless of His detractors or even if all the buildings in the world collapse today.
So they're not monuments to God or God's house of worship then. Fine, burn it to the ground, it doesn't matter then what happens to it.
Completely agree with you. My childhood parish was built at the turn of the 20th century by Irish immigrants, and it is one of the most beautiful churches I have ever seen outside of St. Patrick’s Cathedral. Those early parishioners gave every extra dollar they had to help construct the church. I wish that some wealthy Christian benefactor would step forward and save this church from submission.
If I could, I would.