Response to Barbara Hoshiko

Submitted by Philip Schlesinger (United States), Jan 17, 2005 at 14:22

Dear Barbara,

I agree - the internment of the Japanese is a stain on the fabric of this country that can never be wiped away. Imprisoning or interning people based on race, color, creed, religion (or lack thereof), country of origin, gender, or sexual orientation is plain and simple wrong (which is something I would like to hear Mr. Pipes say, ...).

But when you, Barbara, call it "treason" for someone to hold religious beliefs that are not acted upon, then I have a problem. Democracy is about debate, voting, and freedom. In the end, I am certain democracy will win out against the theocrats in a war of ideas. But we can't prosecute people - especially the crime of treason - simply because of their thoughts.

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