Why there should be a secular state...

[WaldoMcFroog]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/7233335 .stm

Rowan Williams = Twunt.

One rule for all, thank you, or else I'm going to start demanding separate atheist-friendly laws.

[matt1e]

we all ready have different laws for different cultures
FACT-for most of us bigamy is illegal
FACT-if its part of your culture it isn't you can even claim income support for your extra wives
FACT - uk soft touch money spinner for all but the brits

[mrs_overall]

An anagram of Rowan Williams name is

allow mini wars.

Very apt.

[WaldoMcFroog]

FACT - if you married multiple partners in a country where it is legal and then come to the UK, under the new rules you will be significantly less well off than you were before the rules came into play and every additional spouse after the first received a full single person's allowance.

[naomi24]

Waldo, whilst it is true that a man and his four wives would cost the state less than five single people, in principle it's wrong to pay for four wives when British law allows a man only one wife. I'm not saying the man should divorce three of the wives he married abroad, but the same rules should apply to him as to everyone else. No one should get special dispensation. which is exactly what we're talking about here. (By the way, whether someone has one wife or four wives, he should go to work and keep his family anyway, but that's another subject).

Keyplus, which version of Sharia law would you support? I understand there are several.

[keyplus90]

Naomi. I do not know about different Sharia Laws, if you are aware please let me know. Sharia depends mainly on Quranic revelations. And as far as I am aware there has always been one version of Quran since it was revealed and there is no difference between the original (a copy is stil in the musum in Turkey) and the one you would get from somewhere else.

[jno]

as mentioned above (I think), Orthodox Jewish courts already do operate their own rules with state approval.

[naomi24]

Keyplus, this says something about it. I'm sure you will find more information if you google.

http://www.channel4.com/news/articles/society/ religion/qa+what+is+sharia+law+/1512647

Mani, this can't be allowed to happen. It would be disastrous for cultural relations. Islam is already seen as receiving favourable treatment in this country, as a quick whizz through AB will confirm. Such a move would only inflame the situation and separate Muslims further from mainstream society. Quite frankly, it really frightens me because I don't know where it will end.

I have to agree with Wizard. People are very happy to come here to live - and we don't see them running away too quickly - but what right do they have to expect special treatment? If they aren't happy with British law, then they should go and live in a country that suits them better. No other country would change the law to suit one section of society, or make laws that especially benefit one section of society - and nor should they. We should stand firm on this and say 'if you want to live here, then you must accept our laws as must everyone else.'

[keyplus90]

Naomi. Thanks for that link, I know all about that and if you go into details the difference is only as minor as "Color" or "Colour". Both are the same things.

[Lonnie]

As jno says, Orthodox Jews do operate their own courts, but they are still subject to a higher authority, The Law of the Land.

From what I read today, what the most reverand Arch Bishops is suggesting, is that the Muslims that subscribe to Sharia Law, would be beholden only to Sharia Law, and not British Law.

Thats how I understand it, and if it does happen, which I think it will, then we have the fractionalised society which they want, and we don't.

[naomi24]

Keyhole, Are you sure about that? I understood that the rulings differed and some were more lenient than others. I haven't got time now, but I will look into it further. If you find anything else in the meantime, I'd be very interested to hear.

[naomi24]

Hello Lonnie, I'm not sure how far the Archbiship suggests this be taken, but from what I've read, I understand it as you do. However, I listened to a debate today which suggested that if a ruling were to be disputed, British Law would always overrule Sharia Law. I hate to say it, but I feel disaster looming.

[naomi24]

What's an Archbiship? Ha! Sorry. Should have been 'Archbishop' of course.

[Lonnie]

Hi Wiz,
Reckon you've said what most are thinking, your nomiated the AB spokesman,
Now, care to put that on an email to the goverment?.

[brionon]

This bloke is a member of the House of Lords and is part of the Government . Un-elected and Daft.