This week end I will be sent to York (in Northern England) for work. The deputy editor at my job happens to know the city quite well and gave me touristy recommendations. Seeing that I have a particular affection for Gothic cathedrals, I was excited to learn that York’s Minster cathedral is the biggest one in Northern Europe. I mentioned this to the editor, who replied:

There is a great quote from Heinrich Heine saying we moderns have opinions not convictions, but it takes more than opinions to build a Gothic cathedral.

It reminds me: my friend Boris systematically refuses to enter a cathedral or church, this decision being hugely influenced by his beliefs which, being very socially liberal, contradict those of the Church endlessly. As an atheist despising the official Vatican’s stances I can certainly see where he is coming from, but we nonetheless argued about it countless times: in my view, a church is just a building to marvel at for its architecture, and to appreciate for the sense of peace and quiet one can find inside. Boris is having none of that - which is probably why he’s my best friend (that is up until he betrays us all and decide to vote centre for the upcoming French elections…You traitor!).