After five years of renovation and repairs following a devastating fire in 2019, the bells of Notre Dame Cathedral charge again. Tourists can now visit the iconic Gothic cathedral and Paris's few Catholics can once again attend Mass. President-elect Donald Trump is among the people present on reopening weekend.
This is definitely moment of celebration For believers and non-believers alike. When news of the fire broke, many commentators said: myselfsaw it not only as the destruction of a historical monument, but also as a reflection of the cultural decline it symbolized. For thousands of years, France and the West have preserved true faith, cultivated beauty, and pushed the boundaries of human achievement. Today, they are reduced to mediocrity, characterized by government entitlement, cultural erosion, and mass consumerism.
If people in the 21st century want to rebuild monuments like Notre Dame, they need to start rebuilding in their souls the very spirit of these monuments.
But, like the risen Christ, Notre Dame Cathedral has emerged triumphant once again. Now we have an even bigger audience, and after nearly losing it, we have come to appreciate it even more deeply. If the fire symbolized the decline of the West, the cathedral's reopening must certainly symbolize it. Reconstruction of the West – right?
As appealing as this story may be, there is little evidence to support it. In fact, a quick look at the current state of Christianity in the West reveals a worse situation than it was five years ago. french news channel faced severe penalties For reporting the fact that abortion is the leading cause of death worldwide. Across the Channel, England legalized assisted suicide.
On the other hand, in the United States, the Supreme Court forced to weigh On whether states can ban genital mutilation and hormone treatment for minors. During this time, Pope Francis and the cardinals have been debating for years. Meaning of synodality Without a solution.
Rather than finding false comfort in the reopening of Notre Dame, it would be wiser to reconsider the cathedral fire with the benefit of hindsight.
For those who remember, the cause of the fire was initially unknown. French authorities claimed it was an accident, but…those who tell the truth'' speculated that the fire was an act of arson by Islamic extremists. Their suspicions arose from the following reports. muslims celebrate The burning of Notre Dame Cathedral sparked a wave of church burnings across France at the time.
elite and non-elite
From the perspective of Emmanuel Macron and the French government, blaming Muslim fanatics for the fire was as convenient as blaming it on cigarette burns. This explanation is consistent with anti-immigrant discourse that blames many of the West's problems on unassimilated Muslim immigrants. Framing the fires as a threat to Christian civilization posed by Muslim newcomers conveniently avoided challenging the political and economic status quo.
Recent history calls this framework into question. When examined in all its details, the fire symbolized not a global conflict between Christian and Islamic civilizations, but an ongoing struggle between elites and non-elites.
If the fires were only a problem for Muslim non-Westerners who resist French culture, the French people would have reacted decisively. They may have voted for politicians and policies aimed at blocking or deporting immigrants from North Africa and the Middle East. And they may have reevaluated their spiritual commitments, recognizing the importance of attending church and rejecting the empty propaganda of French secular nationalism known as “laïcité.”
The French will remain in their place. still secularif not more, due to COVID-19 closures. They continue to vote for liberal politicians like Macron who welcome more immigrants. In this context, the fire garnered sympathy and was directly or indirectly committed by the French authorities, who sought to secure billions of euros for the upkeep of a famous tourist destination and to distract the public in order to maintain power. It seems plausible that this was caused. It would be reasonable to assume that the reopening of Notre Dame Cathedral would serve a similar purpose.
Without belief, everything shrinks.
For those who are referring to recent times, Collapse of the French Parliament Evidence of the end of populist takeover and elite secular control should dampen their optimism. As the psalmist says, “Do not trust in princes.” as I wrote A few years ago, France's populist leaders were essentially no different from the French elite, except for their opposition to immigration. If burning down famous Gothic cathedrals would accomplish their goals and help them gain power, they would be equally happy to take advantage of the opportunity.
Christians, populist conservatives, and those who call themselves the guardians of Western civilization need to draw new lessons from the fire and reconstruction of Notre Dame Cathedral. A true restoration of Christendom and Western civilization requires nothing short of a complete spiritual conversion.
It is not enough to mourn the potential loss of a famous building. humanity must refocus the first thing. The ultimate reason Notre Dame burned was because the West abandoned its faith, and we all know that. Without faith, everything shrinks and the transcendence that makes it possible to create beautiful churches and advanced societies disappears. As a result, many in France and the Western world are now becoming Nietzsche's “last man,” that is, seeking only “small pleasures” and foolishly believing in the idea of pursuing anything meaningful or great. It embodies the blinkered, unconscious laziness.
If people in the 21st century want to rebuild monuments like Notre Dame, they need to start rebuilding in their souls the very spirit of these monuments.
