Video: The Archbishop of Canterbury’s sharia remarks
posted at 8:40 am on February 11, 2008 by Bryan
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Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams is meeting with the Anglican Church’s general synod today, and is expected to face calls for him to quit over his sharia remarks. He’s said to be “horrified” by the reaction to his saying that perhaps it’s time to let sharia become a parallel legal system in Britain. He’s evidently more horrified for being criticized than he is at the prospect of sharia becoming one of the laws of his land.
Here’s a clip from the remarks that got Williams into trouble, courtesy the AP. It’s remarkable how dry and scholarly his approach is to what would be the end of Britain if his advice was taken seriously.
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How long until a member of America’s Christian clergy voices a similar call for sharia accomodation? Or has this already happened and I haven’t been paying attention?
aunursa on February 11, 2008 at 8:49 AM
I’m sure there is a loose cannon out there who has recommended sharia capitulation, but the Archbishop is making news because he is the big cheese in England’s religious life. That’s why I sadly say that it’s post-Christian England.
jgapinoy on February 11, 2008 at 8:57 AM
The guys sounds like Rowan Atkinsson.
srhoades on February 11, 2008 at 9:02 AM
Thanks for finding that clip Bryan.
Melanie Phillips has a great piece from Friday for those who haven’t read it… Dhimmi or Just Dim?.
MT on February 11, 2008 at 9:04 AM
One or the other?
OneGyT on February 11, 2008 at 9:13 AM
I say we give him a sex change and force him to live under that backwards law.
boomer on February 11, 2008 at 9:19 AM
Well he should just pull a Dick Durban or John Kerry and say he’s sorry if anybody was offended that he thinks that Britain should impose a parallel legal system.
Seriously though, shouldn’t the leader of the Christian Church of England be more concerned about saving the souls of all those Muslims who are going to Hell instead of dipping his toe into what is really a political issue?
highhopes on February 11, 2008 at 9:22 AM
Lets follow Islamic Law and behead the Archbishop.
georgealbert on February 11, 2008 at 9:35 AM
I don’t know if any American clergy have called for it, but the Second Court of Appeals in Texas has:
“The Second Court of Appeals of the State of Texas has rendered a ruling {http://www.2ndcoa.courts.state.tx.us/opinions/HTMLopinion.asp?OpinionID=14601} on the enforceability of shari’a judgments rendered by imams. According to the Texas appeals court, it’s all good. You’ve heard of the Texas Courts. Ladies and gentlemen, make way for the Texas Islamic Courts!!! The parties will ask the courts to refer the cases for arbitration to Texas Islamic court within “Seven Days” from the establishment of the Texas Islamic Court panel of Arbitrators. The assignment must include ALL cases, including those filed against or on behalf of other family members related to the parties. Each party will notify the other party, Texas Islamic Court, and their respective attorneys, in writing of the assignment of all the above Cause Numbers from the above appropriate District Court to Texas Islamic Court.”
http://www.buzztracker.com/permalink/30291/60024407/Good-News-Sharia-Law-in-London-Texas
AZCoyote on February 11, 2008 at 9:40 AM
Maybe in the future they should only allow Christians to become the archbishop of Canterbury.
snaggletoothie on February 11, 2008 at 9:42 AM
I couldn’t say that any better if I were to sit here and try all day long. Well done.
I will respond, though, by saying that, at least in this country and surely in Europe, too, mainline churches seem to be doing everything in their power to de-emphasize Hell. Specifically, there’s no discussion whatsoever about what happens to those who don’t believe or believe something else. Mainline churches are striving to be as PC as possible, and it’s not PC to talk about Hell except perhaps to tell a loathsome person to go there. It’s also not PC under any circumstances to evangelize. If someone brings up faith as a question, that’s okay, but it’s not okay PC-wise to go out and pose the question to him first.
Such attitudes result rather naturally in two things:
1) A semi-favorable view and treatment by the media, as long as you don’t stray too far off the reservation. (Check for the Church of England, but I’d guess Rowan Williams is finally being considered off the reservation now.)
2) Declining memberships, attendance, and donations long-term. (Check that for the Church of England, too!)
flutejpl on February 11, 2008 at 9:54 AM
Christianity in Europe in general is somewhat of an historical artifact to them, something to look at with awe in the greatness of Christian art, sculpture, architecture, but they have no understanding of its content.
Pent. on February 11, 2008 at 10:08 AM
Noooooooobody expects the SPANISH INQUSITION!!!
thareb on February 11, 2008 at 10:10 AM
I’m really at a loss, why the hell doesn’t he just convert to Islam?
4shoes on February 11, 2008 at 10:20 AM
It’s wimps like Rowan Williams who give the impression to the jihadists that the Western World is ready to give up and succumb to the 12th century mentality of Islam without putting up a fight. Why doesn’t he can the black robe and don a pink one with a big fat bullseye on it?
The enemy isn’t at the doorstep in the UK, they are already inside having tea and crumpets.
fogw on February 11, 2008 at 10:28 AM
Ok – what on God’s green earth is a ‘Christian’ Archbishop doing referring to the Koran as a “revealed” text? For crying out loud, does he have NO sense of conviction?! The Bible and the Koran cannot BOTH be revealed. Either both are false (which IMO is demonstrably untrue regarding the Bible), or at least one is…and that leaves the Koran (the deranged ramblings of a drug-induced power-hungry pedophile).
Dude, if you don’t believe in the Bible, what *possible* reason would you have to want to serve in the church?
Tim on February 11, 2008 at 10:29 AM
He’s clearly an ex-hippie who consumed far too many fruits of Colombian agriculture for his brain to continue functioning.
NNtrancer on February 11, 2008 at 10:58 AM
True enough but there was this. The ensuing “controversy” caused me to grown. It’s not exactly breaking news in the theology department.
aengus on February 11, 2008 at 10:59 AM
He’s more like the Bishop of Bath and Wells (Blackadder II).
Nosferightu on February 11, 2008 at 11:20 AM
So, when can we start stoning rape victims and committing honor killings willy nilly?
/s
TheSitRep on February 11, 2008 at 11:45 AM
What part of Dr. didn’t you get Bryan?
He’s no different than the educated idiots here who demand we refer to them with their title at all times.
BKennedy on February 11, 2008 at 12:14 PM
Out of touch, out of proportion and clearly out of mind.
Liberal Theologian On-Board……Stay Way Back.
Hening on February 11, 2008 at 12:20 PM
Naw, Rowan Atkinson is defending free speech.
Frozen Tex on February 11, 2008 at 1:35 PM
Wouldn’t approve of actually removing his head, but your logic is razor sharp. *applauds*
inviolet on February 11, 2008 at 8:48 PM
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