Five years ago Australia's main stream media was discussing the wisdom of having 'separate legal systems' for a range of people groups in Australia. Two years ago it was raised again. Now it's being downplayed by our politicians as a non-goer.
Eight years ago the Archbishop of Canterbury's comments was cited on how sharia law for Muslims would improve Britain - after - Melanie Phillip's fearful book 'Londonistan' hit the streets. Phillips was interviewed on the ABC's Religion Report who was at the meeting in which the Archbishop spoke. Phillips counters that the Archbishop's 'parallel legal jurisdiction' would be explosive in Britain.
At that time Stephen Crittenden who then convened the ABC Religion Report illustrated that the furor was not isolated to a few religionists, rather the reaction to the Archbishop's comments was spontaneous across Britain.
Crittenden aired the response of Britain's Anjem Choudary: "There's a clash between a civilisation based upon God's law, who believe sovereignty and supremacy belong to God, who want to live under the sharia, who believe authority should be in the hands of Muslims, and of course people who believe that man should continue to rule according to his whims and desires, and this conflict is not going to end until one is victorious, and as Muslims, we believe that one day the whole world will be dominated by the sharia law".
In 2008 'stealth' was an issue
Phillips explained that it is this brand of Islam which takes centre stage in the public eye, what follows is an incrementation of the sharia – she claimed the stealth of Islamisation of Britain would follow.
Although spokespeople of both Australian major political parties have stated that this will not be considered in this nation, it was contended that should such a situation be countenanced in Australia the following scenario might fall into place.
Take for example Australia.
The Herald Sun recently reported there are more Buddhists in Australia than Muslims, what about Buddhists having separate law.
What about those attending Baptist churches every week – more than in Mosques, and that Baptists too (as a minority Christian group as say, compared to Catholics), what about a parallel legal jurisdiction for Baptists. (The 2016 Census form had Baptists listed. The last census 2011 revealed more Baptists than Muslims in any case.
A sacred tenant of Baptist belief and practice is 'soul liberty' in that each believer is guided in their daily living philosophy by the Spirit of God. Therefore with Baptists having parallel legal jurisdiction, Australian Law would only apply where a Baptist's 'soul liberty' was not impinged. Can one even begin to imagine the legal confusion!
Each State Baptist Union have their own guidelines for the practice of Christian Ministry. This includes areas such as discipline, misconduct and withdrawal of accreditation. These rules too would have parallel legal jurisdiction. Moreover, it was contended that if each Denomination had parallel legal jurisdiction within Australian Law, a person might be a Baptist one day and a Presbyterian the next, depending on the circumstance. Enjoy!
Legislation strengthened
Some years ago it was revealed there are special Jewish Courts for matters pertaining to Jewish religious matters (not issues of State) as there are in areas of Indigenous Law. But there seemed to be a demarcation not to extend this any further. Former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd made it clear in 2009 that there is one Australia and everyone lives here under Australian law and on 10 March 2010 it was published that the NSW Parliament changed its multi-cultural laws to this same effect.
In those three years (2008-2010) there appeared to have been a paradigm shift, yet at that time Victoria still retained all the hallmarks as the weak link. The situation of the two Pastors remained at that time, that whereas that what they said was truthful and factual, yet under that legislation, that was not the test. Some sort of sanity was restored with the Court of Appeal, but it remains a little unclear.
Enter the fray 18c and it becomes a nightmare such as the three university students in Queensland being sued. Dr Shane Clifton at the Australian Religious Press Association earlier this month strongly recommended 18c only apply to Aboriginals, minority groups and those with disabilities. He was challenged on those who have speech impermanent (stutterers) who are unable to line up to buy a theatre or train ticket (460,000 Australians). 18c continues to bring a great chasm.
Heavy Court decisions
There have been court decisions which seemingly overtaken such concerns as in both Melbourne and Sydney very significant prison sentences have been handed down to those who had designs on terrorist acts. The pendulum it seems has begun to swing. The election of four Pauline Hanson One Nation 'Senators' has seen the electorate swing.
This has been the catch-cry of Civil Libertarians for decades. Whenever a law is proposed that would limit the freedoms of citizens, freedom of speech, a well seasoned cry is launched against any form of tyranny. It is this same 'vigilance' that has seen would-be-terrorists 'bought-to-book' and 18c challenged.
Resurgence of vigilance
The nation over these past few years has witnessed a resurgence of 'vigilance' with the rise of many main stream commentators such as Andrew Bolt, who demonstrate day and night, for all to see, how bias and extreme are the champions of the unsustainable.
Australia is a nation greatly blessed where Christians have the freedom to worship, practise their faith in Jesus Christ and evangelise. Guarding this requires the same vigilance as Civil Libertarians give toward any proposed law that would curtail Australian political freedoms.
Dr Mark Tronson is a Baptist minister (retired) who served as the Australian cricket team chaplain for 17 years (2000 ret) and established Life After Cricket in 2001. He was recognised by the Olympic Ministry Medal in 2009 presented by Carl Lewis Olympian of the Century. He mentors young writers and has written 24 books, and enjoys writing. He is married to Delma, with four adult children and grand-children.
Mark Tronson's archive of articles can be viewed at http://www.pressserviceinternational.org/mark-tronson.html