When In Rome....

It seems that the Archbishop of Cantebury has well and truly put his foot in it.

If you've missed all the fuss, or if you're reading this in the future (from now, as I'm writing it, obviously, not from your future, unless, that is you're watching me right now from 2011 as I'm typing away.....) then let me fill you in.

Dr Rowan Williams has publically stated that he believes that the adoption of certain elements of the Islamic Sharia law system by the UK legal system is 'inevitable' and that the UK has to face up to the fact that some of its citizens 'do not relate to the British legal system.'

Predictably the UK press and its dear readers have responded with extremely vociferous objections to these comments, mostly for the right reasons in that the simple fact is that when you choose to live in a particular country, or even if you are born there, you cannot choose to ignore those aspects of that country's laws that you 'do not relate to'.

There are, somewhat predictably, the morons who think that Dr Williams is welcoming the uglier aspects of Sharia law that could see stonings and beheadings for certain crimes (though I have to admit, I'm not completely against this for certain crimes, particularly operating a BMW car without indicators), but this isn't the case, and more importantly isn't the point of my objection to his statement.l

The old saying 'When in Rome,' may be something of a cliche, but as with all great cliches there is an underlying elemnt of truth to it. If you wish to live in a country, then you must obey its laws. Period. End of discussion. If you don't like its laws, or can't relate to them, then by all means please feel free to pack your belongings and emigrate to your utopia of choice.

There is also the rather serious point of not having parallel law standards, between which we can pick and choose. There must only be one legal system, and those laws must be clear and enforced. By all means come to certain arrangements outside of court, within whichever community you subscribe to, but realise that this must fly under UK law.

Of course, the danger, thanks to the rabid politically correct brigade, in objecting to the adoption of something like this is that one is labelled a racist, or intollerant. There are documented cases of polygamous marriage within certain communities in this country that are tolerated by the authorities because of a fear of being seen to discriminate, when the reality is, if I were to take two, or more if I were feeling particularly masochistic, wives, then you would be sure that the law would descend on me like the proverbial ton of bricks.

I'm surprised at Dr Williams making such a reckless statement, especially given that he is clearly an intelligent man who apparently speaks and/or reads eight languages, and equally surprised that he is surprised at the backlash that is being directed at him.

The biggest surprise, however, is the sheer numbers of my fellow countrymen who have opted to comment on this, considering the apathy regarding domestic and international affairs that usually seems to be the norm these days.

Perhaps we're not quite ready to roll over and play dead under the onslaught of increasingly selfish, moronic and duplicitous politicians and religious leaders. Perhaps there is yet hope for the voice of the people.

I certainly hope so.