Oh god you people have GOT to be kidding. Firstly there are already Jewish courts in the UK (and aparently in Australia acording to the lecture on shari law who was on ABC radio this morning). Secondly they are talking about FAMILY law and buiness law NOT criminal law. Cant any of you tell the difference??????????
Criminal law is the smallest fraction of what the law IS. Most of it is family law, tax law, commertial law, torts law, adminstrive law, consitutional law (although im not sure if the UK actually has a formal consitution) ect
There is nothing wrong with family law being arbitated by different courts as long as there is a right to apeal and a free choice. After all MOST family law is delt with in an informal way ANYWAY
I cannot agree with you on this one because I believe we are looking at the thin end of a wedge. I don't give a damn what people belive or what their colour is , but I do object when they seek priveliges based on a belief system that is alien to that of society at large.
Let me give you a few examples of what goes on in the UK.
Jews and Muslims are allowed to slaughter animals in an inhumane way which it would be unlawful for others to do.
Evryone who rides a motorcycle is legally required to wear a crash helmet. An exception is made for Sikhs who, for religious reasons. can wear turbans.
Bus conductors wear a uniform, part of which is a cap, but Sikhs....you've guessed it
We recently had a case of a woman who applied for and was given a job as a teacher. On her first day at school she turned up covered from head to toe, with only her eyes showing through a slit. When it was pointed out that this was unacceptable, she sought exemption on the ground of her religious belief. She would not accept that she would be unable to communicate with children if they could not see her facial expressions.
Now while all the above may, in some sense, be considered as no more than silliness, it shows how religious groups keep pushing for more and more and I can see no reason why they should draw the line until they have created a society within a society. And that must be resisted. In the UK everyone is equal under the law and there should be no exceptions. We do not want an Orwellian society where some are more equal than others.
Lastly, may I point out that there are no such problems with Indians, Africans or other ethnic groups.
We have a number of idiotic racists who, like rednecks everywhere, want to get rid of all non-whites. Fortunately, they have very lttle support. The danger is that Muslims who do not want to conform to the norms of our society are giving ammunition to these idiots.
