RE: The need for perspective

Submitted by R.L. (Israel), Feb 18, 2004 at 14:30

Mr. Feldman, you and I are cut from similar cloth - Orthodox, in-the-know but not necessarily approving of everything stamped with the word "moderninity", etc.

As for the Saudis keeping things in perspective, you may have a point. But even if the Saudis did allow non-Muslims in Saudi Arabia to practice their own religion, I don't think you would disapprove of their adherence to Islamic law with regard to Moslems.

Let's put the shoe on our own foot. Some day you and I want to see a Jewish State in the Land Of Israel based on Torah and Halachah. We, as a nation today, are far from ready for that. But supposing we were ready - all of us - and someone nevertheless would want to make use of these pagan symbols. I don't think the response would be much different in spirit.

I have lots of negative things to say about Saudi Arabia, Islamism and other extremes but this is one article of Mr. Pipe's that I feel was unnecesary.

I sent an email to Mr. Pipes, expressing these sentiments. His reply was:

"I am fully aware of the dislike ; but show me an example of repression, which is what my article is about."

To which I basically replied: show me a country today, ruled by religious authorities, other than Islamic countries, that has had to deal with similar circumstances.

Is there a Christian theocratic country, whose citizens have attempted to celebrate Hanukah?

There simply are no similar examples. The point is that the "repression" Mr. Pipes' article is about, would be applicable to other religious ruled countries, under similar circumstances.

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