A reflection on the funeral

Personally, I have a difficult time accepting a government of unelected officials. Obviously, dictatorships fall into this category, but I will listen to a defense in favor depending. I can understand why England doesn't completely abolish the monarchy and that tradition, perhaps. It is constitutional and representational, after all, and this is symbolic. Please don't assume that I am making any comparisons with tyrannical dictatorships because I opened with this idea. These are just my thoughts, which I decided to write down.

I was watching the funeral for the Duke of Edinburgh, and immediately, in my mind, I object to some things simply seeing the procession into St. George's Chapel. One thing that is certain is that Anthony Fauci probably influenced...all participants wearing black masks, but this should not be a distraction...lol. All male Royals exhibit medals on their jackets. I know that many have served in the military, including Prince Philip. In my mind, however, I associate this with dictatorships. Dictatorships often will display leaders wearing a military uniform, and medals even if the person never served in the military. Why is this? Well, obviously, it's for psychological affects. Humans often respect a uniform and medals without questioning; consequently, subordination can be or come as an automatic response. Of course, some people will always question and not easily follow. Questioning all is a good thing in my mind. Anyhow, back to the funeral, which I may watch later on eventually.

I seem to have a problem with the idea that a monarch can have a lofty and expensive funeral, but a common man often cannot. I am not a communist, and I don't believe all should be equal, although I do believe in equal opportunity which doesn't necessarily mandate an equal outcome. In other words, free choices are good, but not the idea that someone makes the choice for me because I believe God has made us all unique individuals. All humans should be allowed respectful treatment at the time they pass on. Of course, a state funeral often has many other implications such as the exhibition of power and wealth, meaning we can do this because we are able, capable, and so on....

To conclude, I don't want to discourage anyone from watching the funeral for Prince Philip, I was an admirer of his. Moreover, it is a church service. After all, I am still a nonpracticing Anglican, last time I checked. So far, I have made this post about me, and how I feel about someone else being honored, and in my mind I am being disrespectful. So, I will stop here. The point I wanted to make was really to question all, evaluate, and decide what is right and what isn't. Rest in Peace Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.

Photo source: https://twitter.com/JustinWelby/status/1383397355936882693?s=01