Politics, religion don't mix
While doing research for a school project concerning the separation of church and state, I realized anew that disastrous situations result when the two are combined.
In my research, I studied two different extremes: a government that relentlessly forces religion on a country (for instance, the former Taliban government in Afghanistan) and a country that persecutes those citizens who choose to follow a certain religion (eg, China's persecution of the Falun Gong). Both of these scenarios yielded horrific results.
The Taliban's rule snatched all basic rights from its people and plunged the country into a primitive economic situation. They forced religion on government, where it does not belong.
But China's persecution of the Falun Gong also shows wrong actions on the part of the government, as they also deprive their people of several basic rights by forcing government on religion.
In the midst of my research, I came across a statement from Taipei Mayor Ma Ying-jeou (
After researching the effects of the non-separation of church and state, I wish to congratulate Ma and the Taiwanese people for standing up for what is undoubtedly right in the world.
Mary Bowden
North Carolina
Stand up for freedom
I was appalled to read about the attack on Chin Heng-wei (金恆煒) by someone who apparently objected to his views on cross-strait affairs ("Group condemns attack on star columnist," Mar. 12, page 2).
It made me recall the incident about two years ago in which someone attacked former president, Lee Tung-hui (
People who use violence to express their discontent with others' ideas or the results of democratic processes reveal that they do not share democratic values.
This is something one would expect to have found in Nazi Germany or, to use a contemporary example with more proximity, communist China.
Since the attacker seemed to be sympathetic to China, it's perhaps not surprising that he would act with that mentality.
It is alarming to hear about the use of violence against those with differing opinions in the democratic and civil society of today's Taiwan. People should show their alarm lest this becomes commonplace.
There should be a public outcry to show their disapproval of such acts, so that they are not allowed to persist, and cause a regression in the democratic values and civil society of Taiwan.
Freedom of expression is one of the basic principles of democracy and human rights and every effort should be made to safeguard it from thugs.
If crimes can be placed in ranking order of insidiousness, violence against people for their ideas is one of the most insidious, because it is a threat to the ideals of democracy and to one of the most basic human rights: the freedom of expression.
We should therefore recognize the bravery of Chin Heng-wei for, despite threats, standing up and up-holding one of the most valuable treasures a person can enjoy: the freedom of expression.
Kevin Hsu
Ridgewood, New Jersey
Realize railway's value
Your report says that the Alishan Railway is "one of only three narrow-gauge, cogwheel alpine railways left in the world." (Chen downplays the politics of Alishan visit, Mar. 15, page 3)
This is inaccurate.
The railway uses adhesion to (theoretically) keep the locomotives running on the rails, not a "rack-and-pinion" system, as it should be properly called. The rack-and-pinion system is used on railways which climb steeper gradients, such as in Switzerland and Wales.
This should not detract from the fact that the Alishan Railway is one of the few remaining logging railways still running in the world. It is spectacular and should rightly be promoted as one of the main tourist attractions in Taiwan.
Perhaps some of its financial losses could be reduced if it ran a better service, with morning trains, and also had steam locomotives operating on the easier, less steep, parts of the line in the lowlands.
It does seem a waste to have a fully restored working Shay steam locomotive and not use it.
Peter Williams
Changhwa County
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