Among the general brouhaha of the elections of November 2, there was the little tidbit that Oklahomans had passed a measure banning Sharia Law from being used in their state. Naturally, this issue has raised quite a few eyebrows at Law Universities, since it seems to directly interfere with the first amendment, but that’s not the thing that drives me crazy.
People see Sharia as the “eye for an eye” and “beating women if they’re not covered” penal system that can be barbaric. However, this discounts the civil side of Sharia, a side that most people don’t know or care about. That side is much like the regular civil courts–mediating disputes between parties. Sharia allows Quranic principles to be applied to people’s lives.
Think about that last statement. Can we say we are a Christian nation where Biblical principles are being applied to people’s lives?
What’s the difference? Other than it being “them” and “us”, there is none. Absolutely none.
The sad thing is, the issue is ridiculously moot. In addition to the fact that there’s no real way to break the law or even challenge it (because someone would have to go against the law for it to be an issue in appellate court), there’s the matter of Article VI of the Constitution.
This Constitution, and the Laws of the United States which shall be made in Pursuance thereof; and all Treaties made, or which shall be made, under the Authority of the United States, shall be the supreme Law of the Land; and the Judges in every State shall be bound thereby, any Thing in the Constitution or Laws of any State to the Contrary notwithstanding.
YOU WERE ALREADY PROTECTED, OKLAHOMA! The same mechanism that guarantees that no United States citizen will ever appear at the Hague as a defendant (because that would be giving power to a law over the constitution, regardless of how international it may be) is what also keeps Sharia Law at bay.
What a waste of time and paper.