Religion or Atheism? An open forum.

[Thorne]

I don't understand. What Sharia law? Surely it is the secular law here?

You lost me again. All are accountable to the laws, (theoretically anyway) right? As for religious laws, that would be a matter between the members of those congregations. But if they harass or threathen their members they answer to the secular law. At least here, where threats are not considered fredoom of speech.

Apparently the Muslim community in England is running a campaign to make Sharia law the primary law for Muslims in England. They would be held accountable only to the Sharia court, and not the British court. Basically, two separate, and unequal, legal systems. I know there is opposition, but I believe there is some support for making Muslims subject to BOTH sets of laws. This would allow the Sharia courts to prevent Muslims from leaving the faith, for example.

True. The medieval church was tax-free, and it was a terrible rival to other buisnesses.

In the US, at least, all religious organizations are tax-free. Even those businesses and properties they own which are not strictly connected to religious activity are still exempt from taxation.

[thir]

Apparently the Muslim community in England is running a campaign to make Sharia law the primary law for Muslims in England. They would be held accountable only to the Sharia court, and not the British court. Basically, two separate, and unequal, legal systems. I know there is opposition, but I believe there is some support for making Muslims subject to BOTH sets of laws. This would allow the Sharia courts to prevent Muslims from leaving the faith, for example.

I haven't heard about this discussion for a long time, I think it has died, or at least died down.

I do not see who you can prevent anyone from leaving a faith?

In the US, at least, all religious organizations are tax-free. Even those businesses and properties they own which are not strictly connected to religious activity are still exempt from taxation.

Ok. I was not familiar with the problem because in DK churches are upheld by the state (while being largely ignored by the people who pay for them.)
I actually have no idea how it is here in UK.

[Thorne]

I do not see (how) you can prevent anyone from leaving a faith?

It's my understanding that leaving Islam is punishable by death. It's only used by the more radical Islamic sects, but I believe it's technically a part of Islamic law.