^I was wondering when somebody will mention a better need. Finally. It is bit of bourgeois. And what did the Bible say, something about not fixing a church when people go hungry?
A popular tweet/post right now goes “Victor Hugo thanks you for Notre Dame de Paris and would like you to do the same for the Miserables”
The criticisms anger me. A perfect illustration of that old adage " No good deed goes unpunished."
The end result of such criticism usually is that other potential donors shy away to avoid public controversy. I’ve never heard of it resulting in the donor saying “Oh, sorry, I’ll give the million dollars I was going to donate to a homeless shelter instead.”
Regarding paying for repairs, I don’t think the church actually owns Notre Dame. The French Ministry of Culture does. The French state used to pay all the upkeep, but in recent years a charity was created because the costs were too high for the state. Also, it is a HUGE tourist draw for Paris. 12 million visitors a year. Climbing the towers when we visited Paris for the first time last month was one of my very favorite things we did. So the tourism aspect is good for the French economy. I’m an atheist, and I think it should be rebuilt. It is an architectural marvel, we don’t build things like this any more.
I am surprised at the claims that private donations or government subsidy for the rebuilding of Notre Dame would be better spent on social justice projects. If that mindset is extended it would also be wrong to donate to or subsidize with public funds museums and all the various arts and cultural organizations that receive it now. Why donate to an opera company when there are homeless people in town? Why subsidize a ballet company when there is unsafe drinking water in Flint? I could go on and on.
The existence of Notre Dame is a living history relic from the past that should not be confined to history books or historical websites.
Some of the criticism is petty but some reflects the reaction of charities in France.
Yes some are saying it’d be better spent elsewhere (including two student Union leaders who got a reprimand for their ‘whatever’ tweets) BUT charities and charitable groups are warning that not ALL donations should go to ND or people will go hungry. Last year a small change in the law resulted in -4% donations overall, but -30% donations to popular relief programs… So these charities have good reason to be wary.
The donations are good in another way (if they aren’t done at the expense of soup kitchens and disadvantaged children relief): there hasn’t been a culture of donations in France. The foundation to restore Notre Dame was started and funded by Americans! Hopefully this may change things along the very rich in France.
Most people can walk and chew gum at the same time: why are donations to one charity deemed to preclude donations to other charities. We give to a number of organizations every year. I imagine the Uber wealthy can manage it as well. In the criticisms I see a bit of judgement as to how people are choosing to allocate their charitable funds.
^ as I mentioned, there’s no culture of charitable giving in France in the way there is in the US (people give but big foundations, donating to a school…are all very novel ideas); the charities have good reason to say “don’t donate exclusively to notre Dame” since last year there was a shift away from hunger/poverty relief groups.
Some people are being stupid and petty. But some of the admonition is valid. People in France could decide they “did their good deed for the year”. We don’t know. It’s more of a warning to avoid that “did it” feeling.
Here’s an interesting article on that point.
The protest started when the gov offered 90% tax deduction on donations. I see their point.
That was walked back fortunately - it’ll be 75% tax deduction on donations up to $1,000, and 66% otherwise, 60% for company donations.
Also, Pinault, one of the billionaires, stated that at no point had he considered asking for a tax deduction, that his gift was a “full gift”. I don’t know whether that was prompted by the complaints or whether it was his intention all along, and wonder whether any other French billionaire followed suit.
Collection from every Catholic church in the archdiocese of New York tonight (Holy Thursday) going to Notre Dame.
@MYOS1634 Yes, it was reversed but after the protest. After it showed what the elite and gov are thinking. Charities for the poor/social services get 60% tax ducduction while billionaires get 90% deduction on their hundred of millions of dollar donations. They should keep the deduction the same at 60%.
Why can’t we be happy that folks are contributing to this cause?
When I make a contribution to something other than a soup kitchen, I don’t expect folks to say “gee…why did you contribute to that?”
I think it is fabulous that these benefactors are contributing to the rebuilding of Notre Dame.
People will always find something to complain about. From my experience, those doing the most complaining never donate anything. I’m happy that there are plans to rebuild, although I think Macron’s five year estimate is unlikely.
I’m curious, do these historical buildings/churches not have insurance?
It’d be impossible to “insure” ND but the French state has insurance.
I will reiterate that there are two sorts of complaints: one by people who like to complain (French people love to complain, it’s like discussing the weather - you have to sift through it to see what’s valid) and one by charities& groups burnt by a drop in donations the previous year and worried that the donation that might have gone to them might go to ND instead (because that’s what happened this past year).
I was wondering about insurance too.
I have a lot of family in both France and Italy and that’s where I’m seeing the most outcry over these large donations. Lots of memes showing starving children vs the cathedral.
I am afraid the gov kinda encouraged that by increasing the deduction rate for donations to Notre Dame before they backed down. That was not smart.
Yes, if you think about it then it’s a bit shocking that billionaires cut their donations to soup kitchen when the tax credit was changed - they should be able to donate to both (even if they cut the donation).
Doesn’t France own the cathedral? It’s the country’s responsibility to maintain it and repair it.