I go to many funerals. Sadly, at age 73, they are too frequent

[MineralMan]

for people I know. Many of those funerals are in churches, so they are the most frequent reason for this atheist to be in a church. I don't mind. Those funerals reflect the faith of the person who is no longer with us, and I can easily respect the faith of that person. It costs me nothing, and does not require me to share that faith.

Today, I am deliberately not watching the funeral of a former President. It's on the TV upstairs, though, and I can hear some of it. I've seen some still photos from it here on DU. While I don't decry George Herbert Walker Bush's religious beliefs, I do not know the man, so do not feel obligated to view his service. Besides, I imagine the camera is frequently focused on the current President. i have no desire, nor the required patient to watch him scowl his way through the funeral.

I will die. I hope not for some years, yet. I will not have a funeral service of any kind. My wishes are clear. I want to be cremated, and my ashes poured out from the Wabasha Street bridge here in St. Paul, and into the Mississippi river for distribution, over time wherever it flows. I hope there will be a gathering of family and friends to share stories from my life, along with some food and drink. But that's it. I will not be there.

GHWB is being honored by many today, in a religious ceremony that reflects his personal beliefs. That's fine. We're all entitled to such beliefs, if we have them. He is being dishonored, sadly, by one attendee, though. That is a shame. I can't watch.