Sharia Law and Archbishop’s Apologies

I have to say, I have a lot of sympathy for the predicament the Archbishop of Canterbury has found himself in as he used his General Synod opening address to apologise for comments leading to the press reporting of his statements about Sharia Law.  His lecture on Islam and English Law in the Royal Courts of Justice 10 days ago was followed by a BBC interview.  Note what he actually said at the interview: 

“It seem unavoidable and, indeed, as a matter of fact, certain provision of sharia are already recognised in our society and under our law. So it’s not as if we’re bringing in an alien and rival system.”

“Nobody in their right mind, I think, would want to see in this country the kind of inhumanity that sometimes appears to be associated with the practice of the law in some Islamic states — the extreme punishments, the attitudes to women, as well.”

My humble observations are threefold:

1.  The Media is generally inflamatory in its reporting of these events and obfuscates rather promotes healthy discussion.  The “red rag headlines” in the Tabloid Press were quite alarmist, and even the Times’ headline was “Archbishop of Canterbury argues for Islamic Law in Britain”.  To be on the receiving end of partial and inflamatory press reporting is painful and I don’t wish that on anyone. 

2. Rowan Williams told the General Synod in London last week that he had expressed his words “clumsily”.  He said: “I must take any responsibility for any unclarity.”  I think that the standing ovation at General Synod was a reflection of the affection that many feel for his humble openness.  But as one who has read quite a bit of Dr Williams’ writings, I confess that, despite his obvious brilliance, he is very difficult to read and often open to misundertsanding.  Whilst he is a liberal in the best sense of the word (i.e. he is equally charitible to conservative evangelicals as well as everyone else, unlike many other liberals!), his theology, nevertheless is liberal.  I have to say that I feel that he would be better in Academia than as the leader of the already fragmenting Anglican Communion.

3. Finally, surely, for all the attempt to start a debate about the place of Muslims in British Society, and his nuancing of the “clumsy” comment, Dr Willliams is wrong!  We have a law of the land which must apply equally to all, irrespective of religious convictions.  Moreover, Protestant believers have always worked hard to see the law of the land reformed under God’s word so it is more accurately reflective of a nation that is shaped by biblical convictions about God.  It is for that reason that the Apostle Paul writes:

Romans 13:1-3
1 Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.  2 Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.  3 For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you.

We need leadership which give us clarity and conviction about Christian issues in a Nation that is still dominantly, albeit nominally, Christian.

More on the Bishop of Rochester

Ruth Gledhill has reported that Bishop Michael Nazir-Ali and family have received death threats following his article about Muslim “no go areas” in parts of England (see blog below). Speaking about the empathy and support for his article which has resonated with evangelical concerns about the increasing threat which comes from Islamic teaching and the desire to introduce Shia law in English cities, he says:“The irony is that I had similar threats when I was a bishop in Pakistan, but I never thought I would have them here. My point in saying what I did was that Britain had lost its Christian vision, which would have provided the resources to offer hospitality to others.” Here in Oxford, the Vicar of the large student church St Aldate’s, Charlie Cleverly has joined opposition to the Muslim call to prayer: “When such an area is subject to such a call to prayer, it may force people to move out and encourage Muslim families to move in,” he said.  You do risk a kind of ghetto-isation of the city a few years down the line. I don’t think the people of Oxford want to hear a call to prayer to Allah in the same way people don’t want someone loud in their face asking them to buy coffee. Bells are just a signal and have been around for 1,500 years. They are a terribly English part of our culture. I do not believe in the imposition of another culture on our country.” (“Religions Collide Under the Dreaming Spires”, Daily Telegraph, 1st Feb 2008)These two incidents highlight the growing challenge for Evangelical Churches in our inner cities.  For decades, Christianity has been seen as a private and personal matter.  Christians have acquiesced in the view that it is not their job to change culture and society.  However, when we have been confronted with a proselytising Islamic faith on our doorsteps that sees societal transformation as integral to their message, Christians have struggled to apply their faith to the culture.  However as the Bishop of Rochester pointed out, we sell the Gospel of Jesus Christ short if we don’t assume that personal faith has societal and cultural implications.  But whenever we assume that will be the case we can expect to be at odds with our multicultural modern Britain.

Thank God for the sanity of the Bishop of Rochester!

It isn’t very political correct to say it, but, I am glad that Bishop Michael Nazir-Ali has had the guts to do so:  Islam isn’t good for our nation (see the Sunday telegraph article 6th January 2008 http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml;jsessionid=D3UJIJJSXW5KJQFIQMFSFFWAVCBQ0IV0?xml=/news/2008/01/06/nislam106.xml).  Admittedly he was writing about the impact of Muslim-extremism making some parts of the UK “no-go areas” in our country. For my part, the “terror threat” to our country is not primarily suicide bombers, but rather a philosophy and ideology which does not have Christian ethics and world-view at root.  It comes as a surprise to many people that a Christian world-view is, in fact, very tolerant of alternative views, and a loss of that world-view is quite terrifying. The foundation of Christian Tolerance is found is passages such as these:
1 Peter 3:15-17 - ”But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, 16 keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behaviour in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.“

Christian believers are absolutely committed to persuading others to becoming followers of Jesus Christ.  However this is not through the imposition of law (despite the fact that some aspects of Christianity’s history have not been that commendable).  Rather the power of persuasion, Peter asserts, comes through an apologia for the faith backed up by godly, Christlike lifestyle.  That is the reason for this blogs title: metamorphe.  It is a word based upon Paul’s commendation for transformation in Romans 12:1-2 – that we should be “transformed” (“Metamorphosed”, if you will) by the renewing of our minds…

Moreover, Jesus assumed, Christians are good for society because of the stance taken on issues of truth, mercy and justice, and the preserving factor of good models of Christian living: Matthew 5:13-1613 “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men. 14 “You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.”

Such an outlook on life should lead to people praising God the Father as the one who is the source and ground of all goodness.  Yes, Christians are – or at least should be – good for society, and I think that the Bishop of Rochester’s concerns about Shi’i law and no-go communities should be heeded.