As a left-leaning Christian, I find the level of attention afforded by Conservatives, and also those of a Christian persuasion, to the Queen and Royal Family more generally, a little perplexing.
From an economic point of view it just seems so internally incoherent. Talk all the time of living within our means, austerity, cutting back all that wasteful government spending, get government out of our way, then turn a blind eye to the funding of the Jubilee, forget the impact of an extra Bank Holiday, and be happy and jolly because our notional head of state has been on the throne 60 years. Intervene to ensure councils are having parties, even if councils don't really care to, and so on. I find it all a little too ideological really- that's the only way I can explain the contradictions just listed.
But added to this, for Christians, we're supposed to celebrate even more so because it happens this Queen does actually preach the Gospel when afforded a chance. Moreover, from what I understand we're supposed to support the monarchy on the basis that they are our God-appointed rulers. But if we got rid of the monarchy and replaced it with a republic, say, then why wouldn't the rulers then be appointed by God too? He would still be sovereign wouldn't he?
Now don't get me wrong, it's great the Queen takes her (rather arbitrary) role as head of the church seriously and makes statements consistent with the Gospel.
But why should my right leaning friends hate on my concern that the monarchy is really just one rather large use of funds that could just as well be put elsewhere?
From an economic point of view it just seems so internally incoherent. Talk all the time of living within our means, austerity, cutting back all that wasteful government spending, get government out of our way, then turn a blind eye to the funding of the Jubilee, forget the impact of an extra Bank Holiday, and be happy and jolly because our notional head of state has been on the throne 60 years. Intervene to ensure councils are having parties, even if councils don't really care to, and so on. I find it all a little too ideological really- that's the only way I can explain the contradictions just listed.
But added to this, for Christians, we're supposed to celebrate even more so because it happens this Queen does actually preach the Gospel when afforded a chance. Moreover, from what I understand we're supposed to support the monarchy on the basis that they are our God-appointed rulers. But if we got rid of the monarchy and replaced it with a republic, say, then why wouldn't the rulers then be appointed by God too? He would still be sovereign wouldn't he?
Now don't get me wrong, it's great the Queen takes her (rather arbitrary) role as head of the church seriously and makes statements consistent with the Gospel.
But why should my right leaning friends hate on my concern that the monarchy is really just one rather large use of funds that could just as well be put elsewhere?
