09 February 2008

The Archbishop and Sharia Law

Let's get the facts lined up first:

First the Archbishop was invited to give the foundation lecture at The Royal Courts of Justice.

Second A Press Release dated 7 February 2008 (before the event) indicated that: his lecture was going to:look at 'what space can be allowed alongside the secular law of the land for the legal provisions of faith groups.' In other words, this was the subject on which the Archbishop was asked to speak.

Third

The Archbishop denies that he is calling for the institution of Sharia law:
The Archbishop made no proposals for sharia in either the lecture or the interview, and certainly did not call for its introduction as some kind of parallel jurisdiction to the civil law.

Instead, in the interview, rather than proposing a parallel system of law, he observed that "as a matter of fact certain provisions of sharia are already recognised in our society and under our law" . When the question was put to him that: "the application of sharia in certain circumstances - if we want to achieve this cohesion and take seriously peoples' religion - seems unavoidable?", he indicated his assent.
The Archbishop of Canturbury did not issue a statement 'out of the blue' promoting the institution of Sharia Law in the UK. He is not promoting the implentation of sharia law by the UK government. Those tabloid rags that are claiming that he did are engaging in irresponsible journalism. As Christians, we are guided by the commandment not to bear false witness; it's not rocket science to understand that twisting someone's words is wrong by Christian standards. The Sun should be especially ashamed for it's 'Bash the Bishop' campaign (I'm not providing a link as they don't deserve one).

3 comments:

Rev Paul Martin said...

You are quite right, Pam. The Archbishop has been treated quite disgracefully by media/politicians etc. Last night coming home from a youthevent I heard a candidate for Mayor of London condemn Williams. Under questioning, he admitted he had not read the speech but only a report in the Times.

The mob is being well and truly worked up. On that same programme someone came on asking for a modern day Henry 2. He then named the four men who killed Thomas Beckett, demanding to know where they are today.

What I am saying is that there are malign forces at work whose methods are sub fascist. The Christian Church needs to defend the Archbishop from this mad frenzy.

Anonymous said...

It constantly amazes me how many people are prepared to accept these things from the media or any other source, for that matter, without going back to what the person in question actually said.

Doorman-Priest said...

Well, let's hear it for the Daily Mail, never a paper to let factual inaccuracy get in the way of a good rant.