Letter to The Editor - The 'force of tradition' and respect for the wisdom of the past may have been weakened in the last century

To The Australian          There is more to say about the 'symbolic order' embodied in the monarchy than Henry Ergas tells us ('Royal fairy tales help recount our blessing', 18/5). The essence of that order is its noble and assured recognition that the just conduct of earthly affairs depends on a leadership which has a heartfelt acceptance of the truth that eternity and spiritual reality are sources of indispensable guidance for both monarchs and their subjects. Thus Ergas errs in asserting that celebrations of 'the rites of passage' of the Royal Family have degenerated into 'extravagant re-enactments of fairytales.' They remain sacred ceremonies of profound spiritual insight with enormous capacity to inspire and guide the subjects of the Crown. The 'force of tradition' and respect for the wisdom of the past may have been weakened in the last century, but they have not been overcome and our monarchy is the main political bulwark sustaining their influence.
  Nigel Jackson, Belgrave, Vic