France and the Idea of Exception

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/07/25/opinion/france-and-the-idea-of-exception.html

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To the Editor:

Re “Jihad and the French exception,” by Farhad Khosrokhavar (Opinion, July, 20): I take issue with Mr. Khosrokhavar’s critique of the French adherence to “Laïcité,” or secularism.

The French firmly believe in the separation of church and state, understanding that religion is a private matter based not on science, or rational thinking, but on faith. Mixing religion and politics only leads to confusion and Dogma.

It is not France that is too rigid in its policy, as Mr. Khosrokhavar suggests, but the Muslim religion in particular, which demands adherence to the Koran, in political as well as private life. There is no separation of mosque and state, there has never been a reformation, and those who want to reform the religion are often considered heretics and worse.

There is no rationale for killing French citizens. It is the Muslim community that rigidly holds to their religion, and it is that community which must become more “pragmatic and sensible,” not the other way around.

ELLEN SHIRE

Gagnac-sur-Cère, France