I fought the (Sharia) Law and the (Sharia) Law won....

**Toad** · 7th February 2008, 12:43 PM

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7232661.stm

And I was hoping we'd get rid of the final religion-centric laws still enforced in this country, not get more of some other religion's laws instead....

However it's particularly interesting to note the suggestion that Muslims should get a choice of laws - there goes a few centuries worth of equality campaigning down the toilet. I think that'll be the next big boom - designer laws for all occasions!

Toad.

**Matt** · 7th February 2008, 01:18 PM

Originally Posted by Dr Rowan Loony

But Dr Williams says the argument that "there's one law for everybody... I think that's a bit of a danger".

**Mulder** · 7th February 2008, 01:41 PM

Will all the other religions want their own 'versions' of the law? And why not people with strange beliefs? Or atheists?

As an atheist, I'd like the Church of England disestablished and all laws relating to religions removed. Of course, such a law only applies to atheists, everyone else can ignore it.

Court room 'dramas' (which bore me rigid) might finally become interesting. When two laws come into conflict, which one wins?

**Matt** · 7th February 2008, 02:16 PM

Will Scotland have their own Sharia?

**LucaAltieri** · 7th February 2008, 03:18 PM

Hmmmm, so we've got an archbishop advocating seperate laws for religious movements... I'm sure he's got the country's best interests at heart, no selfish motives.

**Mulder** · 7th February 2008, 03:21 PM

Take a look at the reaction on the BBC website - the idea is getting the biggest panning I've ever seen on there ...

I don't think Muslims will thank him for this. It's inciting a lot of negative feeling ...

**FarSideOfTheMoon** · 7th February 2008, 03:53 PM

Originally Posted by LucaAltieri

Hmmmm, so we've got an archbishop advocating seperate laws for religious movements... I'm sure he's got the country's best interests at heart, no selfish motives.

Spot on, this isn't about any new-found caring attitude to the welfare of british muslims. It's about nothing else than ensuring religious privilege continues in this country.

I'll be very interested to see what the NSS says about this in their Newsline tomorrow.

**Lord Muck oGentry** · 7th February 2008, 06:02 PM

Williams refers to Beth Din:
http://www.theus.org.uk/the_united_s...in/litigation/

As far as I know, this is a respectable arbitration body. If his suggestion is just that Muslims who agree in advance to be bound by similar arbitration should be able to do so, then it may be worth discussing. The trouble is, he mixes this up with entirely different questions, such as Catholic exemption from the law governing adoption agencies.

**filippo lippi** · 7th February 2008, 09:24 PM

When any religion provides evidence that the core of their beliefs is actually true, I'll support them having special laws. Until they do, I suggest we introduce mandatory life sentences for special pleading.