Thought for the Weekend
In the Belfast Telegraph on 23-02-08 Canon Lewis wrote:
Why it's good to see people freed from political oppression
Within the last week or so, interesting things have been happening in our global society. They have been covered in great detail in the world media.
For example, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, head of the Church of England, and leader of 80 million members of the Anglican Church worldwide, said that the incorporation of Muslim Sharia law into the British legal system is unavoidable. He argued that state-sanctioned religious courts would help social cohesion. This suggestion had the dramatic effect of provoking immense negative reaction, but very little support. Many people feel that the present legal arrangements are adequate; and that the Archbishop's suggestions, if implemented, would deepen rather than reduce ethnic and religious divisions.
Last Sunday, there were significant political changes in Kosovo. The new Kosovo Albanian Parliament declared the establishment of the new 'state' of Kosovo. Immediately, the Serbian Prime Minister denounced the action as a contravention of international law: Kosovo, he asserted, is part of the sovereign territory of Serbia. Though the Kosovo Parliament represents the 90% Kosovo Albanians, there remain unresolved and difficult issues for the 130,000 Serbs in Kosovo, the Government of Serbia, the United Nations and the international community.
During the past week, elections in Pakistan point to the end of military dictatorship there, and a return to democratic government. Seven weeks ago, following the assassination of Benazir Bhutto, this outcome of the elections seemed far from certain. Encouragingly for the 160 million people of Pakistan, this unexpected and positive change has taken place.
Just a few days ago, Fidel Castro announced his resignation as President of Cuba. Though he may be succeeded by his brother, Raoul, who is in the same political mould, the departure of Castro is good news for the 11 million people of Cuba. They can begin to look forward to the end of the repressive and unelected communist dictatorship, and the emergence of freedom and democracy for all.
In the Christian faith, we must rejoice when people can at last cast off the chains of political repression and choose the democratic ordering of their societies. That goal will take a little longer to achieve in Cuba. It has the potential to happen in Pakistan if strong agreements can be forged between the two leading parties. In Kosovo, the situation is far from clearcut - politically and constitutionally. The need for stability in the region dictates that both sides - Kosovo Albanians and Serbs - must feel that they are winners. Here in the UK, I am sure everyone wants a society at peace and secure in itself. That is best achieved, not by the formal establishment of state-sanctioned religious courts, but by the continued evolution of our legal institutions to meet the needs of the time.