Sharia Law

I am definitely not an advocate of Sharia law, but we need to understand why it has widespread support in many places. The reason is the failure of western justice.

When people in the people in the West think of Sharia law, they are reviled by the burqua and thieves having their hands cut off. They cannot understand its appeal.

In countries like Egypt and Pakistan, the attitude to Sharia law is quite different. The reasons is that the justice system left behind by the colonial powers is slow and corrupt. Ordinary people have no access to justice, because the courts are biased towards the rich and powerful. If they do provide justice, it takes so long that it is worthless. In contrast, Sharia law is administered by local judges. It is quick and not biased against the poor. This is the reason for its appeal in these countries.

Christianity has a far superior system of local justice, based on God’s law. Unfortunately, Christians have not taken it seriously, and have instead relied on secular systems of human justice that are becoming increasingly slow and expensive. Frustrated people are looking for alternative that can provide real justice. If Christians want to be taken seriously, we need to be ready with something better. Until we rediscover God system of laws and local justice, we will not be able to counter sharia law effectively.