When In Rome
Thursday 7th February
I am quite liberal. I have a ‘live and let live’ policy.
But when I see this, it concerns me…
The Archbishop of Canterbury says the adoption of certain aspects of Sharia law in the UK “seems unavoidable”.
Dr Rowan Williams told Radio 4’s World at One that the UK has to “face up to the fact” that some of its citizens do not relate to the British legal system.
I’m sorry… when you move to another country for all the benefits that country affords you, you must abide by their set of rules.
When in Rome, do as the Romans do.
This country really has gone completely wet.
I’d be interested to hear what others think. I’m hesitant about posting this for being branded a ‘racist’ or something similar, but it really isn’t about that. It’s about erosion of the British identity.
Yes, I know we’ve had invasions in the past, and what is a British identity? Part Celt, part Dane, part Saxon, part Norman… but I still think it’s a worrying development, going on under the radar that our secular system of law and order can be influenced heavily by a faith.
So… Muslims get to choose to abide by their own set of rules, while non-Muslims not only have to abide by the British rules, but also those imposed against our wills by Brussels.
Well… as long as they ban neither goats nor Thursday pub nights, I guess it’ll be ok.
Mmm… less than four hours to go…
I absolutely agree with you Stu. I have no problem with anyone of any colour, creed or nationality making their home in Britain and neither do I have any problm with them following their own religion but otherwise, it’s British law that should be followed.
But, I suppose the counter-argument is that many Muslims, or whichever religion, are now British citizens so their laws should be integrated.
Aoj
7 Feb 08 at 3:41 pm
And also have Christian courts? And atheist courts? And agnostic courts? And Jedi courts? And Buddhist courts? And Sikh courts? (Ok… the ‘turban-on-a-motorcycle’ thing goes against my argument there) And Jewish courts? And Mormon courts? And Hindu courts? And Natural Law courts? And Unitarian Universalism courts? And Scientology courts? And Wicca courts? And Bahá’í courts? And Confucian courts? And Rastafarian courts? And Falun Gong courts? And Shinto courts? And…
stu
7 Feb 08 at 3:49 pm
I think he is only referring to the recognition of specific personal and financial matters, between people who find these mutually acceptable, such rights as Jews already have. Cultural (NOT religious) aspects of Sharia, such as amputation of hands for stealing would, somehow, not be acceptable (and are not acceptable anyway to most people with the tiniest education, whatever their Invisible Friend).
Have you been reading the Daily Hell?
lordhutton
7 Feb 08 at 4:03 pm
that’s okay, as long as I can go to a muslim country and drink alcohol, eat a nice bacon sarnie and call my teddy bear mohammed and they’ll adopt our laws too
Alistair
7 Feb 08 at 4:25 pm
When in Rome…
Did you really think through the implications of that?
Do we really want gaggles of pissed bints swarming up and down Micklegate in sequinned burkhas with L plates on the veil and puking on your windscreen as you try to get home?
For the most part, I’m pretty glad good Muslims behave like good Muslims.
sweavo
7 Feb 08 at 4:40 pm
Haha… good call, sweavo. Although that would be funny to see.
stu
7 Feb 08 at 4:42 pm
I think Beardy should ‘face up to the fact’ that there has always been a proportion of the population who do. or did not, relate to British law.
I don’t suppose they relate(d) to being put in gaol, transported or hanged by the neck until they were dead either.
henry
7 Feb 08 at 4:44 pm
In agreement with you Stu. I cringe at the racist and religiously predjudiced remarks some make: but I believe if you go to a country you should behave according to it’s laws and customs. I wouldn’t expect special treatment if my beliefs are different to a country I moved to.
chrisb
7 Feb 08 at 4:45 pm
Just had a look at that link… so, does that mean that Osama’s drag-queen name would be Osama Bint Laden?
stu
7 Feb 08 at 4:46 pm
Maybe I’ve just got my head in the sand, but I’m leaning towards the opinion that Our Way Of Life isn’t going to be over any time soon.
Kouros
7 Feb 08 at 5:39 pm
Change always happens, but it isn’t always Progress.
JG
7 Feb 08 at 9:39 pm
I don’t want to appear to be “the stupid racist American gal” either, but why would we want to have open borders in our country?
I see some of the problems that come up in your country and others. We have enough trouble keeping English as our main language let alone having several different laws!
What is the answer?
Debster
7 Feb 08 at 10:34 pm
I absolutely agree. It makes me really angry that we should all respect equal human rights, only some people seem to have more rights than others. This country is getting far too soft and is going to pay for it.
carrut
8 Feb 08 at 10:31 am
laws are created by parliament and apply to all british citizens. Changes to the law can only be made by parliament. Parliament is supreme in this respect and is a democratically elected body. You must accept its will if you are a british citizen.
private agreements between individual consenting adults are already recognised by the british courts if they are deemed to be fair (by british standards). The jewish beth din courts in britain may make cultural decisions but they may be deemed ‘not fair’ in a british court under british law should an appeal be made. Making elements of sharia part of british law means an erosion of the supremacy of british law as decided by parliament and there would be nowhere to appeal to because the sharia would be british law. This is what makes the archbishops remarks frightening.
podgyhodgy
8 Feb 08 at 11:59 pm
Or you could look at this
lordhutton
9 Feb 08 at 7:59 pm
Not that I give a monkey’s about other people’s invisible friends
lordhutton
9 Feb 08 at 8:01 pm
No I withdraw my comments. Until Sharia Law treats all people with equal respect, and with equal rights, it deserves no place in our law. (In fact it has been judged against the law by the European Court). So no, Dr Williams
lordhutton
10 Feb 08 at 6:11 pm
Thanks for your comments, all
stu
11 Feb 08 at 9:44 am