[AnalogReigns]

The vast majority of Christian church buildings in Europe are just that, simply buildings and "monuments" to past generations' faith. The church is largely dead in these countries anyway... (France for example has many more committed Moslems than Christians...) so why do we mourn the stone, bricks and morter more than whole generations of native Europeans lined up going to hell?

[Semaphore Heathcliffe]

I used the word "monument" intentionally; I understand these countries are essentially post-Christian. But there are plenty of people who think of Notre Dame and the like as constants, something they might go see sometime when they get the chance; unaware unless they actually visit Strausbourg, for example, that France is becoming a Muslim country. My statement was rhetorical, but there's some reality there: if you really are interested in seeing great Western or Christian history in Europe, you need to go soon. Notre Dame is not a constant, especially in an increasingly-Islamic nation.

As for mourning the loss of this brick and mortar (which my post was not), why not mourn it? Why not mourn the end of Christian faith in whole nations where it once flourished? It's sad to see these stunning structures reduced to monuments to belief past. It's now inevitable, but it's sad, nonetheless.

[freedomlover]

vast majority of Christian church buildings in Europe are just that, simply buildings and "monuments" to past generations' faith. The church is largely dead in these countries anyway... (France for example has many more committed Moslems than Christians...) so why do we mourn the stone, bricks and morter more than whole generations of native Europeans lined up going to hell?

Based on my very limited slice of knowledge, I have to agree. When we went to England/Ireland/France a few years ago, we could walk into Mass 5 min before it started and sit where we pleased. Here in our church in Ga if you don't get there 20 min early you stand.