International Letters: Killing Taliban Pows

As a sociologist, I'm surprised by the reaction of U.S. leaders to the decision of the federal court regarding the allegiance to the flag ("One Nation Under Judges," World View, July 8). Their reaction seems similar to the reactions of fundamentalist regimes, even the Taliban. The anger by Senate leaders who, without giving any reason, react by calling the decision "stupid," "ridiculous," or "dumb," just shows how religious intolerance and narrow-mindedness can bypass rational argument. The shameful threats made by senators to the judge who made the decision is a scary reminder of the violations of the right to freedom of expression seen in many Arab countries--countries that America criticizes for similar violations. America should question its own values. To a European, it appears to be one of the more religious fundamentalist states in the world. It is this type of conservatism that prevents different points of view from being discussed in a respectful way.
Daan Schoemaker
Amsterdam, Netherlands

Please take God out of inaugurations and out of the Pledge of Allegiance. How juvenile are these people who use it and insist on keeping it in? America was not founded on God. I'm Roman Catholic and still believe that as a 6-year-old in school--whether I happen to be Buddhist, or Native American whose God is a bird, or if I believed in a rock--I should not be forced to say God. We are a country of many religions; let's keep church and state separate and keep God out of it all. Belief belongs in the home or church, not in the state, or government or school. Religion is private and this is a free country--let's keep it free.
April Collins
via internet

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