Thursday 7 February 2008

Sharia law in the West

This seems like a slippery slope:

Sharia law in UK is 'unavoidable'

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. Dr Williams argues that adopting parts of Islamic Sharia law would help maintain social cohesion. ... He says Muslims should not have to choose between "the stark alternatives of cultural loyalty or state loyalty".

We have had this debate before in Canada, and it is almost certain to come up many more times, especially if countries like the UK move to accept parts of Sharia law. I know I risk sounding intolerant here, but our nationhood is largely defined by our laws and our values as a society.
People of other cultures are certainly welcome here, but part of the package that includes the benefits of living in Canada is the acceptance of our laws and values. If those laws and values are completely incompatible with your culture, then perhaps Canada is not the right country for you, because part of what makes Canada the great country that it is, are our laws and values, and the resulting freedoms that we all enjoy.

Sorry for getting all preachy-like.

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