Religious and secular groups have criticised the Archbishop of Canterbury after he said the adoption of elements of Islamic sharia law in the UK "seems unavoidable".

 

Dr Rowan Williams said there was a place for finding a "constructive accommodation" in areas such as marriage - allowing Muslim women to avoid western divorce proceedings.

 

But his comments have been criticised by Christian and secular groups, while a spokesman for Prime Minister Gordon Brown insisted British law would be based on British values, and sharia law would be no justification for acting against national law.

 

Mr Brown's spokesman said: "Our general position is that sharia law cannot be used as a justification for committing breaches of English law, nor should the principles of sharia law be included in a civil court for resolving contractual disputes.

 

"If there are specific instances like stamp duty, where changes can be made in a way that's consistent with British law and British values, in a way to accommodate the values of fundamental Muslims, that is something the Government would look at."

 

He added: "There is always going to be a debate about this issue. In general terms, if there are specific instances that can be looked at on a case-by-case basis, that is something we can look at. But the Prime Minister believes British law should apply in this country, based on British values."

 

Alistair McBay, spokesman for the National Secular Society said: "In a plural society, all citizens are equal under the law and the Archbishop's comments directly undermines this.

 

"We have segregated schools, segregated scout groups and even segregated toilets for Muslims, and now the Archbishop says we should have different laws, it's madness. On the one hand religious groups say they want to integrate, but actually they want to segregate."

 

Stephen Green, national director of Christian Voice said: "This is a Christian country with Christian laws. If Muslims want to live under sharia law then they are free to emigrate to a country where sharia law is already in operation. Any accommodation with sharia law does nothing to help social cohesion. Christian law has been eroded by secularism and this country was founded on Christian values."

 

Dr Williams said other religions enjoyed such tolerance of their own laws, but stressed that it could never be allowed to take precedence over an individual's rights as a citizen. He said it would also require a change in perception of what sharia involved beyond the "inhumanity" of extreme punishments and attitudes to women seen in some Islamic states.

 

:o :arrr:

(Yahoo News)

His comments are ridiculous, why would he of all people say that!! At least he doesn't really have any say in this country. I don't even agree with the Sharia Law full stop! Countries shouldn't have to base their laws on religion. That Stephen Greens comments are stupid as well "A Christian Country, WITH CHRISTIAN LAWS" I don't follow Christian Laws, I follow BRITISH LAWS!

Not that the Archbish is anything to do with me up here in Jockoland but as an impartial observer I must say I've always considered him to be a bit on the doolally side. :wacko:

 

Sharia Law my bahookie. :angry:

 

 

Love the quote from the Gordon Brown spokesman who says ' The Prime Minister believes British law should apply in this country...'. Well I never! What a novel idea! :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

 

 

I'm sure they said on ITV News there's already courts for Jewish law already, so why does this seem to outrage people.

 

It would supposedly only be for smaller issues, ala small claims, divorce and so on.

There shouldn't be any separate courts for any religion. The laws of this land (both civil and criminal) should be totally separate from religion and should be applied equally to every citizen, whether Jewish, Muslim, Catholic, Proddy or Martian.

 

 

Alistair McBay, spokesman for the National Secular Society said: "In a plural society, all citizens are equal under the law and the Archbishop's comments directly undermines this.

 

"We have segregated schools, segregated scout groups and even segregated toilets for Muslims, and now the Archbishop says we should have different laws, it's madness. On the one hand religious groups say they want to integrate, but actually they want to segregate."

 

 

This is the big clincher of the argument.

 

It's a perfect example of how political correctness will actually have the OPPOSITE desired effect; it reaffirms current social divides where we should really be doing all we can to remove these barriers, and genuinely behave like the one community the government would have us believe we are.

the blokes a complete arsehole.... how can the LEADER OF THE CHRISTIAN church condone this?... surely the ever floundering church of england needs a strong leader, not this moron.

 

this would be a huge step too far, it would create even more civil unrest and INNOCENT muslims would suffer.

 

but those who want it should take stock... this in the uk, we have had laws in place for hundereds of years, possibly we have the most advanced legal system in the world, one that allows freedom of speech and choice. DEPORT without exception ANYONE who wants to abuse this system... follow this countries laws or FCUK OFF.

That Stephen Greens comments are stupid as well "A Christian Country, WITH CHRISTIAN LAWS" I don't follow Christian Laws, I follow BRITISH LAWS!

 

Exactly Kate, people like Green are, in my opinion, just as barking mad as the likes of Dr Bari... There shouldn't be 'Christian' laws in this country any more than there should be 'Islamic' ones.. There should only be THE law.... End of fukkin' story....

Can the Archbishop of Canterbury (I'm sure this should have two 'u's) be forced to resign? And if so... shouldn't he be made to, following these loony comments?

oh lord....

 

wether you like it or not, the FACTS are that the laws of this country are based on christian doctrine, christian laws?...british laws?... theres NO FCUKIN DIFFERENCE!

Can the Archbishop of Canterbury (I'm sure this should have two 'u's) be forced to resign? And if so... shouldn't he be made to, following these loony comments?

 

dont think he can..... but should do.... the blokes doing more harm to the church then satan himself! :lol:

I was amazed at what he said. It's ridiculous. Anyone who lives in this country should abide by the laws of our country and if they don't like it, then they should leave.

In my local paper, Moulana Boston Qadri who is the secretary general of the Aston-based confederation of Sunni mosques in the Midlands and a trustee of British Muslim Forum said that the Archbishop's comments were 'not for the betterment for the country' and added: 'He has made a very dangerous statement. These days we should be working together. All faiths in society need to fight terrorism. We need to work together under one common law. The UK is our country and we want to live under its law, not Sharia.' Now that guy is talking sense!

Well, this is another classic example of a politically correct a-hole defending a "minority´s right", when the minority itself (muslims) is not bothered with it...

I was amazed at what he said. It's ridiculous. Anyone who lives in this country should abide by the laws of our country and if they don't like it, then they should leave.

 

Exactly I agree with you 100% ...If you want to live in a country than you HAVE to follow that countries laws, even if you come from a country that had different laws TOUGH $h!t. Ofcourse they should be able to practice their religion but they shouldn't be allowed to try and change the law because their beliefs are different.

 

I mean what would happen to us if we went to a Muslim country tried the same thing -_-

The day that Saudi Arabia allows English law to be integrated, English courts, christian churches and places of worship opened in Saudi, church bells ringing over Riyadh and Mecca and so on will be the day that I would accept sharia law in the UK

 

The Archbishop of Canterbury should be sectioned under the mental health act

 

 

my my... headline news innit, no one supports the pillock! he cant understand why theres so much contraversy and the sun newspaper/comic has started a campaigne to get him out! lol

 

he should go.... its clear he has no concept of what real people think or want.

wether you like it or not, the FACTS are that the laws of this country are based on christian doctrine, christian laws?...british laws?... theres NO FCUKIN DIFFERENCE!

 

If people like Green and his sodding "Christian Voice" were in charge of the country, trust me, you'd NOTICE the difference between what the law is now and what the law would be under a fanatical Christian dictatorship.... This is why myself and Kate are objecting to both Christian and Islamic rule of laws....

If people like Green and his sodding "Christian Voice" were in charge of the country, trust me, you'd NOTICE the difference between what the law is now and what the law would be under a fanatical Christian dictatorship.... This is why myself and Kate are objecting to both Christian and Islamic rule of laws....

 

but it ISNT nor will it ever be! :lol:

but it ISNT nor will it ever be! :lol:

 

Never say never mate.... I actually think it more likely for the country to be under some sort of "inquisitional-style" type dictatorship in 50 years time than Sharia Law tbh...

 

Never say never mate.... I actually think it more likely for the country to be under some sort of "inquisitional-style" type dictatorship in 50 years time than Sharia Law tbh...

 

i cant see that unless christianity in some form changes direction and becomes a powerful, popular voice again... i cant see that.