Archbishops Comments - Naive or Realistic?

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, should be congratulated for raising a difficult issue that politicians of all parties consistently refuse to discuss: The growing influence of “other” religions and ethnic groups in the UK.
Perhaps he has started a much needed debate about the future shape of our society.
Sadly he expressed himself on this highly controversial subject in complex legalistic terminology more suited to exchanges between barristers at the High Court or an academic journal.
Did he say that Sharia law “was inevitable”? The text of his speech suggests not (http://www.archbishopofcanterbury.org/1575). It would be understandable if he had said that – with millions of Muslims in the UK some will want to adopt the “traditional” ways of their ancestors. Recognising that the tide is coming-in is not the same as arranging for it to happen, as King Canute proved.
Did he say that he “wanted” Sharia law? This is a little more complex. He seems to argue that in general there should be specified narrow areas where people could choose to have disputes settled by Courts that recognise their religious backgrounds. As a theologian he argued in favour of The Law taking notice of Religion. If he had argued for Church of England Courts to be optional in some cases no-one would have taken the slightest notice, until someone said “Why not other religions?”.
The idea that theological courts could be introduced but not contradict State Law seems naive in the extreme. By definition, different Courts must be different.
No, the only way in which Religious Law can be consistent with State Law would be if Religious Law confined itself to matters of religious administration – discipling Vicars and the like.
Even if divergence with State Law could be resolved, could Sharia Law be confined to certain types of case, eg divorces, child custody, inheritance? Again it seems naïve in the extreme to think that a committed religious group would willing accept boundaries on their belief systems.
Even if that did not occur, theological courts would not be staffed by full-timers or people with the usual depth of legal training. Instead their qualifications might be similar to a well educated vicar.
Dr Williams is right to say that there are issues that society needs to discuss, but some of his proposed solutions are simplistic and over-optimistic.
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