Posted on 02/07/2008 6:24:11 PM PST by indcons
The Archbishop of Canterbury drew criticism from across the political spectrum last night after he backed the introduction of sharia law in Britain and argued that adopting some aspects of it seemed "unavoidable".
Rowan Williams, the most senior figure in the Church of England, said that giving Islamic law official status in the UK would help to achieve social cohesion because some Muslims did not relate to the British legal system.
His comments, in a lecture on civil and religious law given at the Royal Courts of Justice, were swiftly rebutted by the prime minister's spokesman, who insisted British law would be based on British values and that sharia law would be no justification for acting against national law.
"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."
The Anglican primate was also criticised by the Tory peer Sayeeda Warsi, shadow minister for community cohesion and social action.
"The archbishop's comments are unhelpful and may add to the confusion that already exists in our communities ... We must ensure that people of all backgrounds and religions are treated equally before the law. Freedom under the law allows respect for some religious practices. But let's be absolutely clear: all British citizens must be subject to British laws developed through parliament and the courts."
Sharia law sets out a broad code of conduct for all aspects of life
(Excerpt) Read more at guardian.co.uk ...
"The archbishop's comments are unhelpful and may add to the confusion that already exists in our communities ... We must ensure that people of all backgrounds and religions are treated equally before the law. Freedom under the law allows respect for some religious practices. But let's be absolutely clear: all British citizens must be subject to British laws developed through parliament and the courts."
Lady Warsi, incidentally, is a Muslim, of Pakistani descent. (I Googled.) I bet that left a mark.
Exactly. Ummm, time for the pope to make a phone call.
Rowan Williams isn't Roman Catholic. He's Church of England.
Is this dude French??? Surrendering without a fight???
What a MORON!!!!!!!!
The Queen just sold some of the property in her Royal Portfolio to, IIRC, Dubai.
I wonder if his posterior is tattooed.....
For the sake of the survival of the Church of England, this loony needs to be kicked to the curb.
He is at the epicenter, he is the source of much of the airhead nonsense that is causing the dissolution of the Anglican church worldwide.
The Church of England is doomed. They are already dead, they just don't know it yet. Western Civilization is not far behind them either.
It's not gonna be pretty.
They see Islam as a force of good or something and those christians who refuse to become suicide bombers are the bad guys
He has made many crazy statements
He’s not Catholic, he is Church of England.
I didn’t think it possible but this guy has furrier eyebrows than Andy Rooney! And he’s a complete fruit loop to boot.
No he’s gay. I guess he doesn’t know that homosexuality is outlawed and punishable by death under sharia law.
I'm not CoE, so it's probably none of my business ...
But I think Rowan Atkinson would make a better bishop.
This is the same douche bag that railed against the US.
I would put his severed head on a pike.
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