This is an odd headline for me, given that I think the concept of a God is bizarre. That said, there is something I find even more bizarre than the fascination that some have with the notion of God, and that is their fascination with royalty.

I have never seen any evidence that there is a God. Equally, I have never seen any evidence that there is anything about the royal family that makes them special enough to waste time or emotion on.  I view the royal family as a bunch of sycophants, living off taxes paid by the poor and a fortune plundered from the poor over centuries. They are the pinnacle of ugly elitism.

It would not therefore surprise you dear reader that I find the pending union of Harry and Meghan Markle about as interesting, important, edifying and inspiring as the third season of Suits, the television program in which she took a shot at acting.

While I care about the engagement of these two celebrities about as much as I cared about the engagement of Kim Kardashian and Kanye West (whoever he is), I care a great deal about the puerile fascination Australians and their media seem to have with this engagement. I can only suppose that it is a demonstration of just how hollow and shallow the lives of Australians are.

Surely there are more important, inspiring and fascinating issues to concern oneself with. There are for me.

This week, prominent psychiatrist and one-time Australian of the Year, Professor Patrick McGorry, took a stand and joined by a bunch of other medical professionals who decided to travel to Manus Island, at their own cost, to help the men in the refugee centres. This is important, inspiring and fascinating.

The engagement of two celebrities, by contrast, is banal.

Surely Australians are mature enough to distinguish great people from celebrities and momentous events from engagements, which, while important to the individuals concerned, have no relevance to us as individuals.

The only Australian I expected to still be engaging with this stuff is Tony Abbott, who, as prime minister, knighted a prince with 23 other titles. He also lauded a previous prime minister who uttered the profoundly embarrassing words: "I did but see her passing by and I know I will love her until the day I die.''

It is written that even Queen Elizabeth found Menzies’ words gobsmacking, although I have no idea how anyone would know that. No matter how Elizabeth reacted to those words, they were uttered in 1963 and I would like to think that we have matured as a nation since then. Perhaps not!

When I listen to the likes of physicists Lawrence Kraus, Carl Sagan, Miko Kaku, Stephen Hawkings or Neil de Grasse Tyson talk about the universe and all of its wonders, I realise just how amazing this world and our universe are, and just how many wonderous things there are still to understand, be inspired by and get truly excited about.

Listening to such people, people of prodigious intellect and amazing hard work, puts into perspective celebrities such as the royal family.

These are great people. These are people to be inspired by. These are people who make a contribution to every aspect of our lives every day. So much of the things we associate with 21st century living are the result of men and women like these. These people move our world forward.

On the other hand, the royal family are, at best, a curiosity and, at worst, a waste of space.