One of the things humans do best in the world is recognize patterns. Our brains just love to find ’em. They’re great for surviving. If you can figure out where the buffalo will be before even the buffalo know where they’ll be, you can eat well, you know?
But it’s entirely possible for that pattern recognition to go into overdrive.
It happens. But the question is, how do you know when your brain is seeing a pattern that isn’t actually there?
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With some things, especially where deeply held beliefs are concerned, it’s hard to say for sure, and that’s playing out in the aftermath of the devastating Notre Dame fire.
The sight of a historical marvel burning up before our eyes really brought the world together.
Seeing Notre Dame engulfed in flames was a surreal as it was tragic for people around the globe, and must have been doubly so for Parisians. Tragedy is never the reason you want the world’s eyes on your city.
Thankfully, the fire wasn’t as bad in the end as it appeared it would be.
For a time, whether the structure would survive or collapse was uncertain. However, the 400 firefighters on the scene fought bravely and tirelessly to save what they could.
The damage was largely contained to the roof and spire.
Thankfully, some of the priceless artwork inside, like the stained glass windows over the altar and the 18th century organ, survived the inferno.
And thanks to the heroic efforts of bystanders and firefighters alike, many of the cathedrals relics were saved as well.
Father Jean-March Fournier, Chaplain of the Paris Fire Department, led the effort .
He entered the burning building with his firefighter compatriots.
Together they formed a human chain to get the priceless artifacts, which included the crown of thorns believed to have been worn by Jesus, to safety.
Along with so many others transfixed by this tragedy, Lesley Rowan, a Scottish mom, was watching and she said she picked out something that is providing her some comfort — the silhouette of Jesus.
To her, it was clear right off the hop.
But she started showing it around to her friends and family on Facebook to get their opinions as well.
“I may be letting my mind play tricks on me, folks take a close look at this picture and what do you see,” she wrote.
Specifically, she said she could make out Jesus in this pic that was prominent in the news.
“When I looked at this photo last night, I was really astounded by what I saw. When I look at it I see a silhouette of Jesus,” she said. “I feel like it will bring comfort to people in Paris and all over the world at this sad time.”
And many did say they saw what she saw in the flames.
One person wrote to say they saw it clearly as well: “I can see it pretty clear, gown and all. Imagine his was how god showed us he wasn’t happy with us, by using acts of god to take away ancient, beautiful monuments and cathedrals.”
“Yeah, I saw it straight away — it’s Jesus!” wrote another.
From there, presumably, folks spread it around to their friends and family as well.
It didn’t take long for her belief to hit social media.
Before long, the idea that the figure of Jesus might be in this pic had made its way to Twitter, where again, many people said they could make out that image.
Mind you, not everybody agreed.
Some said that she was just looking for attention , or that they just didn’t see Jesus there, or they were just skeptical of the whole concept.
So, what do you think?
Can you see Jesus in the flames? Or are everybody’s eyes playing tricks on them?
h/t Metro
