For sometime, Ontario has been considering allowing legal backing for Sharia law (it has finally, fortunately, decided against it). Recently it has come to light that some members of Muslim groups opposing enshrinement of Sharia have not only been criticized, but have had their lives threatened by other Muslim groups. I had the following letter to the editor published by the Toronto Sun on Sept 25, 2005.
It is telling that Muslims opposed to enshrining Sharia law here are now the target of threats and intimidation from other Muslims. Given this mentality of some - that violence is acceptable in their quest to bring ancient religious law to Canada, how can it not be clear why such religious codes must never be given force of law in a civilized nation?
Secular law is a necessary, though not sufficient, prerequisite for guaranteeing individual freedom, including the freedom to peacefully practice any religion. A measure of freedom is the ability to disagree with others without fear of violent reprisal. As this current situation (and the entire history of theocratic law) demonstrates, religion-based legal codes are not compatible with such freedom regardless of the religion involved. Theocratic law is collective law by definition and inherently opposed to individual freedom.
