I want so badly to be liberal. I want to say that it was a sensible contribution to the debate on the role of religion in modern Britain. I want to disagree with the Mail and say that Rowan Williams was misunderstood. However, I find myself in bemused indifference to the views of a man that is increasingly looking irrelevant to the country who’s public life he is meant to be a key part. His allies will say that it was a long and weighty speech and that the press have taken one small section and distorted the Archbishops views. As far as I can tell, Williams and a small number of his friends in the church are the only ones that think that Sharia law has any relevance in today’s Britain.
The comments have the potential to be more than just the musings of an elderly churchman though. By suggesting that Sharia law should have a role in our legal system Williams implies that there is a significant body of Muslim opinion that would prefer to be governed in this way. But of course mainstream Muslim opinion thinks nothing of the sort. The Archbishop has given this minority view an airing it didn’t deserve. Many will now have the impression of Muslims as desiring their own alternative legal system. It may be necessary to deal with the conflict between state and religion that some members of all faiths occasionally come up against. But after Rowan William’s contribution a solution looks further away than ever.
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“As far as I can tell, Williams and a small number of his friends in the church are the only ones that think that Sharia law has any relevance in today’s Britain.” Theres the words of a man who has truly done his homework! As Far as i can tell?! Well in fact you are incorrect. Although as much as it pains me to say, i agree with the message behind your post, you are incorrect in suggesting that Sharia law has no relevance. Certain parts of it such as marriage and loaning money have become and are set to become the biggest new issues in the commercial law sector. You have certainly done your homework Abernethy!
It’s not quite true about mainstream Muslim view not wanting Sharia. An ICM poll in 2006 asked this question of Muslims and 40% said they wanted it as opposed to 41% who said they didn’t.