DEAR EDITOR:

First, a couple of brief definitions to highlight similarities … and there are many.

Sharia Law: The foundation of Iran’s legal and, hence, its political system, is based on the Shia interpretation of Islamic law. This impacts family law, personal status and criminal code, mandating adherence to religious principles that influence everything from clothing to marriage, inheritance and punishments like amputation for certain crimes. The legal system is heavily influenced by the clergy — Iran is a theocracy whose leader is Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the country’s religious and political leader. This clerical establishment holds significant influence over the legislature and the judiciary, ensuring that laws do not violate Islamic principles.

Christian nationalism: A political ideology that seeks to fuse Christian and national identities. While its sister organization, Christian evangelicalism, is a religious movement, Christian nationalism is a political world view — though the two often overlap, particularly among certain segments of the white evangelical population in the U.S.

Proponents of Christian nationalism believe the United States was founded as a Christian nation and that the government should take active steps to maintain this identity. Its core beliefs include:

● Government should reflect “Christian values”: The movement advocates for public policies that align with its Christian beliefs, often through direct government action.

● The U.S. is divinely chosen: This perspective posits that America is exceptional and superior to other countries because its status was divinely established.

● Marginalization of non-Christians: It often comes with the assumption that Christians are the “first citizens” of the nation — more often than not being of the Caucasian persuasion — and that non-Christians are viewed as outsiders.

● Opposition to separation of church and state: Christian nationalism rejects the constitutional principle of separation and state, as implied in the First Amendment.

So you can see where I am going with this, right? Any similarities between Iran’s Sharia Law and America’s dangerously evolving Christian nationalism? Of course there are … both reflect theocratic autocracies. Beware!

TERRY B. CROGAN

Boardman