Nix accommodation between English law and sharia

The Archbishop’s speech

By Melanie Phillips

The most bizarre aspect of the Archbishop of Canterbury’s extraordinary declaration today of abject religious and cultural surrender to Islam was the extreme lengths to which he went to avoid precisely the furore which has now erupted — and then proceeded dramatically to depart from his own strategy.

In a major lecture this evening, which I attended, he argued for an accommodation between English law and Islamic sharia law: an end to the ‘legal monopoly’ of English law, in order to allow people to choose between Islamic and English law for the resolution of disputes and the administration of marriage, divorce, inheritance and other matters.

This incendiary proposition was nevertheless expressed in the lecture in language so convoluted and ambiguous — ‘nuanced’ is, I think, the current expression of choice — that many in the audience admitted they didn’t have a clue what on earth he was actually saying. So nervous was Lambeth Palace, however, that the press would sensationalise his remarks, it tried to control the reaction by restricting embargoed copies of the text so that few papers would be able to report the lecture — and instead giving an exclusive interview with Dr Williams to BBC Radio Four’s World at One.
CONTINUE

February 8, 2008 | 9 Comments »

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  1. Dr. Rowan Williams is a prime example of what happens when a Church, no matter how large, “falls away” from its Biblical roots and the truth. He is a Druid which is a Satanist. Rowan Williams apologises to Freemasons (Masons worship Egyptian gods including Baphomet (drop that name in Google for pictures), the Devil, and support the coming New World Order occultism) and also supports a new Bible which okays fornication. He is a hypocrite and a false teacher even though he says he is a Christian. He is FALSE!

    A year or so ago a Jewish teacher from Hebrew University in IL went to Australia and said when Muslims reach 10% in a nation, they take over. That caused a big uproar and he was called hateful. Today there was an article stating that the current Australian government and the opposition party in Australia outright reject any idea of accepting any form of Sharia law in AU which Williams suggests. At least AU has something right.

    New Bible translation promotes fornication
    Archbishop of Canterbury praises version for ‘extraordinary power’
    © 2004 WorldNetDaily.com
    World Net Daily (dead URL)
    Posted: June 24, 2004

    A brand-new translation of the Bible – praised by Britain’s archbishop of Canterbury, that nation’s senior Christian voice – flatly contradicts traditional core Christian beliefs on sex and morality.

    Titled “Good as New,” the new Bible is translated by former Baptist minister John Henson for the “One” organization, to produce what the group calls a “new, fresh and adventurous” translation of the Christian scriptures.

    The 104th archbishop of Canterbury, Dr. Rowan Williams – leader of the Church of England – describes it is a book of “extraordinary power,” but admitted many would be startled by its content.

    “Instead of condemning fornicators, adulterers and ‘abusers of themselves with mankind’,” says Ruth Gledhill, the London Times religious affairs correspondent, “the new version of his first letter to Corinth has St. Paul advising Christians not to go without sex for too long in case they get ‘frustrated.'”

    “The new version, which Dr. Williams says he hopes will spread ‘in epidemic profusion through religious and irreligious alike’, turns St. Paul’s strictures against fornication on their head,” adds the Times.

    The One organization that produced the new Bible translation is dedicated to “establish[ing] peace, justice, dignity and rights for all.” It is also focused on “sustainable use of the earth’s resources,” challenging “oppression, injustice, exclusion and discrimination” as well as accepting “one another, valuing their diversity and experience.”

    According to Ekklesia, a London-based “theological think tank” that supports the “One” translation:

    The translation is pioneering in its accessibility, and changes the original Greek and Hebrew nomenclature into modern nicknames. St. Peter becomes “Rocky,” Mary Magdalene becomes “Maggie,” Aaron becomes “Ron,” Andronicus becomes “Andy” and Barabbas becomes “Barry.”

    In keeping with the times, translator Henson deftly translates “demon possession” as “mental illness” and “Son of Man,” the expression Jesus frequently used to describe himself, as “the Complete Person.” In addition, parables are rendered as “riddles,” baptize is to “dip” in water, salvation becomes “healing” or “completeness” and Heaven becomes “the world beyond time and space.”

    Here’s how Williams, the top Anglican archbishop, describes the new Bible: “Instead of being taken into a specialized religious frame of reference – as happens even with the most conscientious of formal modern translations – and being given a gospel addressed to specialized concerns … we have here a vehicle for thinking and worshipping that is fully earthed, recognizably about our humanity.”

    In addition, notes Ekklesia, the archbishop praises Henson’s translation for eliminating “the stale, the technical, the unconsciously exclusive words and policies” in other translations.

    Here, according to the London Times, are a few sample passages:

    Mark 1:4

    Authorized version: “John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.”

    New: “John, nicknamed ‘The Dipper,’ was ‘The Voice.’ He was in the desert, inviting people to be dipped, to show they were determined to change their ways and wanted to be forgiven.”

    Mark 1:10-11

    Authorized version: “And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon him. And there came a voice from the heaven saying, Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”

    New: “As he was climbing up the bank again, the sun shone through a gap in the clouds. At the same time a pigeon flew down and perched on him. Jesus took this as a sign that God’s spirit was with him. A voice from overhead was heard saying, ‘That’s my boy! You’re doing fine!'”

    Matthew 23:25

    Authorized version: “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!”

    New version: “Take a running jump, Holy Joes, humbugs!”

    Matthew 26:69-70

    Authorized version: “Now Peter sat without in the palace: and a damsel came unto him, saying, ‘Thou also wast with Jesus of Galilee.’ But he denied before them all, saying, I know not what thou sayest.”

    New: “Meanwhile Rocky was still sitting in the courtyard. A woman came up to him and said: ‘Haven’t I seen you with Jesus, the hero from Galilee?” Rocky shook his head and said: ‘I don’t know what the hell you’re talking about!'”

    1 Corinthians 7:1-2

    KJV: “Now concerning the things whereof ye wrote unto me: [It is] good for a man not to touch a woman. Nevertheless, [to avoid] fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband.”

    New: “Some of you think the best way to cope with sex is for men and women to keep right away from each other. That is more likely to lead to sexual offences. My advice is for everyone to have a regular partner.”

    1 Corinthians 7:8-7

    KJV: “I say therefore to the unmarried and widows, It is good for them if they abide even as I. But if they cannot contain, let them marry: for it is better to marry than to burn.”

    New: “If you know you have strong needs, get yourself a partner. Better than being frustrated.”

  2. Is anyone surprised? Disgusted, yes, but mainstream religions have gone berserk of late. This Anglican leader is one sick puppy and has been inhaling the fumes of too many candles in his dotage.

    What disease does he have? Can someone explain why he is pulling this dumb and dangerous move? Is he being bribed or is his life being threatened? Does he hate his fellow Christians? Does he see servitude to Muslims as the embodiment of what Christ might have done with lepers – serving the dispossessed, sick and pure to gain entry into heaven?

    The Liberal Premier in Ontario almost granted Sharia law in Ontario before someone told him what it really means – and so he recanted.

    I wish someone could explain the theological thinking that went into such a decision?

    Other religious weirdness:

    Look at the Catholic religion, praying for Jews to be Catholics in order to be saved, see: http://www.thespec.com/article/320708

    The United Church in Canada is asking the Canadian government to end Palestinian “boycott” See: http://www.ekklesia.co.uk/node/5164

  3. I am rather enjoying this situation! I wouldn’t even begin to attempt any try to explain or justify Williams, as Nothing I could ascribe to him and most Brits would not do them justice in my disdain of them all.

    Lord Shaftesbury [Anthony Ashley-Cooper] often remarked that all wise men are of but one religion. “And which is that?” he was asked one day. “Wise men,” he wisely replied, “never tell.”

    WHAT DO DEER THINK?

    Ted Nugent, rock star and avid bow hunter from Michigan, was being

    interviewed by a English journalist and animal rights activist. The

    discussion came around to deer hunting. The journalist asked, ‘What do

    you think is the last thought in the head of a deer before you shoot him?

    Is it, ‘Are you my friend?’ or is it ‘Are you the one who killed my

    brother?’

    Nugent replied, ‘Deer aren’t capable of that kind of thinking. All they

    care about is, ‘What am I going to eat next, who am I going to screw

    next, and can I run fast enough to get away. They are very much like the

    English.’

  4. Fools rush in where angels fear to tread or to put it otherwise, foolish people are often reckless, attempting feats that the wise avoid.

    In this case, it is the Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams who took the role of the fool.

    Williams was no doubt guided by a belief held by many Christian leaders that in order for them to present themselves at home as posing no threat to Muslims and in a misguided effort to ease the burden upon their Christian brethren in some Muslim nations where Christians have bee persecuted and murdered, it behooves them to make a show of good will, tolerance and some accommodation to the world Muslims in respect of demands Muslims make or which these Christian leaders anticipate will be made.

    Williams may know a thing or two about Christianity, but as Melanie Phillips incisively time and again points out, he knows nothing of even the fundamentals of British law including the core foundation that all people within Britain are subject to one law and one law alone.

    If Williams wants to redeem himself, he had best stick to thinking and talking about religion.

    Christians are wont to say that confession is good for the soul.

    Given that Williams is a Christian, he can completely redeem himself if he were to come forward and publically confess his sin of arrogance for having been so foolish as to tread on issues, reserved for those who are knowledgeable and wise, which Williams by his own words in this case, only proved his own ignorance.

  5. You may be right that, ultimately, the Brits will get what they deserve. But what is happening there is also happening all over the Western world. It is happening in the United States, though more slowly.

    The more interesting question is why the erosion of Western values is happening, and here we hit the deepest vein of unspeakable political correctness.

    Simply stated, the issue is immigration. We allow muslims to live in the West; did we really expect they wouldn’t bring their religion with them?

  6. If you can’t beat them join them? I don’t get it! Are the British and her leaders so cowed? I really in the end think the Brits deserve all that is happening to them though!

  7. I am embarrassed. As I was typing “Giffiths” I felt something was wrong or unfamiliar. I really do know her proper name and have often posted her articles. She is one of the best. I was just working too fast.

    I also love Melanie Griffith. Her movie Something Wild with Jeff Daniels is one of my favorites.

  8. Ted – could you please correct the attribution on this article.

    The writer of this piece is Melanie Phillips. As you know, she is the author of “Londonistan,” and writes extensively on British, Israeli, and Jewish issues.

    For the record and to resolve any possible confusion:

    Melanie Griffith (no ‘s’ at the end) is the actress daughter of Hitchcock beauty Tippi Hedren. In my opinion, Melanie’s best role was in “Working Girl” – one of many movies that featured stunning scenes of the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center and Manhattan skyline.

    Rachel Griffiths (with the ‘s’ at the end) is an Australian-born actress, whose prominent work includes a lead role in the recent HBO dark comedy “Six Feet Under,” and playing the sister of the British cellist, Jacqueline Du Pre, in the movie “Hillary and Jackie.” While the movie does portray Jacqueline’s marriage to the Argentinian-Israeli conductor/musician Daniel Barenboim, who many years later, in July 2001, performed a Wagner opera in Israel, I don’t think Ms. Griffiths herself has any particular interest in Israeli issues, nor can she be held accountable for Barenboim’s Wagner obsession.