To the Editor:

Thursday's letter to the editor, "Israel becoming theocratic," promotes an anti-religious viewpoint and distorts the important issues raised in Uri Dromi's commentary regarding challenges facing Israeli democracy ("Under rightist majority, respect for minority is dwindling.")

The writer falsely asserts that these challenges stem from the country's theocratic origins, yet Israel, a liberal democracy, is not, nor ever was, a theocracy. Sure, it faces its fair share of societal challenges, but which country doesn't?

Yes, Israel has its religious extremists, as do Christians and Muslim-majority countries, but let's not ignore the real and positive role that religion plays in the world. The writer's argument that Israel commits atrocities in the name of God is religious bigotry, and stands in stark contrast to Mr. Dromi's constructive criticism of Israeli society.