In the case of the churchgoers at St Paul's, maybe - just maybe - they are moved (pun intended) by a sense of kinship with the flock who used to worship at Christchurch Cathedral. Different denominations but Christians the same, they have clearly decided that in a show of solidarity they too should forgo their main place of worship, choosing instead to move into a hall. A brave and selfless call, only St Paul's is still standing, and looks as robust today as it has over the past century - a century in which it has withstood some almighty (excuse me) earthquakes.
And in all seriousness, that is the point. The Sarjeant Gallery, Community House, St Paul's and all the other soon to be off-limits buildings have already proven their ability to survive, largely unscathed. What was it about the devastating earthquakes in Christchurch in 2010 and 2011 that supposedly and rather suddenly made them unsafe? They still look the same, and the risk of earthquake here today is no different than it was in 2009, or 1984.
It's time that we all got some perspective on this issue. It would be an utter tragedy if, as a result of the risk, and their no longer being used, our precious heritage was lost, demolished due to a Huge Over-reaction that Precipitated their Extinction. That kind of Hope is the last thing we need to arrest the great Shakes migration.
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