Religion in Iraq’s Government

Re “Sharia: Iraq’s Dark Cloud,” Commentary, March 21: If we are truly interested in bringing or at least promoting democracy in Iraq, it behooves us to let the people of Iraq freely choose their government.

It is hypocritical to demand democracy from other countries and then oppose it when this democracy brings people into power who are not necessarily a perfect reflection of our views or obedient puppets to our policies.

Let’s have faith in the Iraqis. For Susan Jacoby to imply that she knows what is best for Iraqis, more than Iraqis themselves, is nothing short of a typical colonialist attitude.

How would we feel if Iraqis start to dictate to us a new constitution to replace the one we have today?

Sabiha Khan

Communications Director

Council on American-Islamic Relations

So. California, Anaheim

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There really is no democracy in states where the government is the expression of a religion, regardless of how many citizens ruled by that government are believers. True democracies are judged on how well they protect the minorities, the weakest, the gadflies, the individual.

The greatness of the American system is not the method of electing our governors, but the rights guaranteed the individual in society. It is the freedom to be an individual that is the hallmark of America and American democracy. Whether you’re Rosicrucian or Hindu, Methodist or secular humanist, Jew or atheist, any American has the same rights before the law as his or her neighbor.

At least that’s the ideal. Equality before the law. Whatever you call government by religious law, it’s not what we Americans call democracy. They can vote it in -- that’s their right -- but don’t call it democracy. And don’t ask me to live there.

Eric Johnson

San Pedro