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Archbishop of Canterbury - Your Comments
The Archbishop of Canterbury has told the World at One that if Britain is to maintain social cohesion, the adoption of sharia law in some circumstances "seems unavoidable."
Muslims would be able to choose whether to have issues like marital disputes or financial matters dealt with in sharia-compliant proceedings or the existing legal system. He argues this relies on sharia being better understood - at the moment "sensational reporting of opinion polls" clouds the issue.
He stresses that "nobody in their right mind would want to see in this country the kind of inhumanity that's sometimes been associated with the practice of the law in some Islamic states". He argues that Britain has to face up to the fact that some of its citizens do not feel they relate to the British legal system alone; they should not feel they have to choose between "the stark alternatives of cultural loyalty or state loyalty".
Read a selection of other listeners' comments and submit your own. Use this form or email us wato@bbc.co.uk. Debate the issue with others on the PM blog
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Read other listeners' views
Did I hear it right? That we should change our current legal system to suit the needs of those immigrants who just don't like it? This must be a joke surely?
I think we have spent far too much time and effort already trying to accommodate the needs and wishes of people who choose to come here rather than stay in their own country or even go somewhere else. There is a great deal of difference between the invited guest coming for a few days whom you go out of your way to make "at home" and the uninvited guest who turns up out of the blue and expects you to drop everything to look after them, doesn't say when they will be leaving, criticises everything about your home, family and life and causes rows and arguments.
The invited guest is pleased to fit in with your plans although you are more than willing to change things to accommodate them since it will only be temporary. The uninvited guest always considers their needs more important than yours and, if you only mildly disliked them before they arrive, after a short while you begin to detest them with a vehemence that surprises you. Jenet Peers
The Archbishop of Canterbury goes off at a tangent yet again out of touch with real people. There can only be one law that we are all subject to, that of the democratically elected government and contrary to what he said, I believe it is dangerous to advocate that we can choose which laws we want to be judged by. Laws enforced on the people by religions cannot be changed at the ballot box! Ian Milne
I am heartbroken. Disappointed that the titular head of reformed episcopal Christianity in this country should seemingly be encouraging Islamic Sharia law. This at the time when Christians, and church buildings are being attacked, persecuted in Arab lands. What does he consider that Arab Christians being persecuted for their living faith in their own lands, would think? Peter Rae
I am certain that the Archbishop is a thoughtful, serious and decent man but I think he utterly misunderstands the danger of proposing such a step. I would urge him and the government to contemplate the thick end of the wedge that this change would create. Islam has ambitions that we must heed if we are not eventually to be ground under its heel.
It is often estimated that within thirty years there will be a majority of Moslems in France; that's our nearest continental neighbour. Let Islamic nations make a matching gesture to allow non-Moslems living under Sharia law to operate under non-Sharia law. That should be the least quid pro quo for altering our own legal system and we should not make such an accommodation for Moslems here without a commensurate adjustment being made under Islam. W Stephen Gilbert
As lifelong practising Anglicans we deplore the Archbishop's views on Sharia Law in this country. There should be one law for all regardless of race or religion. If people cannot abide by it they have the option to leave and live in another Country. This Archbishop is a traitor to his faith and we regard him as no fit leader of our Church Bill & Audrey Layzell-Smith
It is not acceptable to have sharia law operating in this country - we can not have two legal systems operating in parallel. If there are any aspects of sharia which are not simply religion-based and which are better than English law, then they should be debated by the people and parliament, and if approved, incorporated in the proper way. If people are unable to abide by English law and its processes, then might they not be happier living where sharia rules; the Pilgrim fathers perhaps showed the way. Anthony Clarke
I could hardly believe my ears, the Archbishop of Canterbury condoning - implicitly supporting - a separate legal system for religious people who don't like the one we all live under. I oppose discrimination on the grounds of religion so believe we all operate the same system be it legal, taxation, electoral etc. My first email to WATO and my first ever call for a resignation but this is shocking. Either the Archbishop should resign or the C of E should be dis-established to separate these views (which are quite acceptable under our existing laws of free speech!) from any sense of state approval. Steve Hubbard, Norfolk
The Archbishop of Canterbury has rightly highlighted an issue that our politicians and law writers need to address. If the law does not address the issues of life faced by segments of the community, and they feel they cannot turn to the law to resolve conflict, then they will follow a path parallel to the law of the land. Whilst the Archbishop is a Christian and he talks of muslims this is not a religious issue. How can the law provide security for all of society's demands? It fails in more ways than excluding muslim culture. Chris Millard
The UK is a Christian country and has been for nearly 2000 years, it might be worth pointing this out to Rowan Williams in his clearly confused state of mind he appears to have lost sight of this, to him, inconvenient fact. If a group of people want to reside in the UK then they MUST accept that the law of the UK applies to them as well as the rest of us. There can be no if or buts, one law for everybody regardless of creed or ethnicity. Muslims in general are only to ready to use UK law to enter the country, why should the law suddenly be so objectionable the day after they receive citizenship. Barrie Watkins, Cornwall
What a disappointment Rowan Williams has been. When he became Archbishop many of us thought that at last we had a man in that post who actually possessed a brain, but sadly he is just as out of touch as was his predecessor. If I went to an Islamic country I would be expected to comply with their rules (eg. on drinking) so why can we not expect them to do the same here? He also capitulated over gay clergy when put under pressure by African homophobes. What little hope there was for the Church of England has now gone. It has no principles whatsoever and Williams is a disaster. Mike Clutten
Who will rid us of this turbulent priest? John Gold, Portugal
I was pleased to hear the Archbishop of Canterbury raising the question of Sharia law in the UK. Even though his view is totally mistaken he has at least brought into the open the creeping acceptance among our leaders that recognition of Sharia law will soon be inevitable. Adopting Sharia law would not lead to social cohesion; it would increase the likelihood of the development of separate states within a state. Hilary Weavers
Please tell me I've slept through the rest of February and all of March and this is 1st April! The leader of the Church of England advocating the adoption of sharia law in the UK?? I've never had any time for this tediously pompous windbag but until now did not realise he was completely barking mad. Time to get the men in the white coats round to Lambeth Palace surely! Annie, Scotland
I found Dr William’s comments today...deeply disturbing. All citizens of the UK should live under one system of law, not pick and choose as Dr Williams suggests. Human Rights are rights for all and apply to all, irrespective of class or creed. Adopting his approach will break communities, not forge respect and tolerance. Adrian Colwell
I have just listened to the interview with the Archbishop, and conclude that the man has totally lost the plot. Sharia has no place in this country. We have a system of law which we all must accept, or else go elsewhere.... Just look at the all the examples of the intolerant nature of Sharia around the world. We do not need to discuss it further. Robin Lucas
As a non religious citizen I believe that the Archbishops's opinions are totally out of tune with the non Moslem citizens of this once great nation. The Archbishop should now consider his position. He does not speak for the church or for secular people. He is so out of tune with reality and we, as a nation of law abiding and tolerant people should totally reject his views. Pete Leighs, Staffs
The Archbishop of Canterbury has taken leave of his senses. I've worked in Mauritania and I can tell you Sharia law is pretty barbaric. Local village chiefs were proud of beheadings, stonings and amputations. It was a legal system that fitted neatly alongside slavery. Sharia law is medieval and has no place in a Western democracy. Al Macdonald, Derbyshire
The Archbishop of Canterbury has told the World at One that if Britain is to maintain social cohesion, the adoption of sharia law in some circumstances "seems unavoidable." 
I think we have spent far too much time and effort already trying to accommodate the needs and wishes of people who choose to come here rather than stay in their own country or even go somewhere else. There is a great deal of difference between the invited guest coming for a few days whom you go out of your way to make "at home" and the uninvited guest who turns up out of the blue and expects you to drop everything to look after them, doesn't say when they will be leaving, criticises everything about your home, family and life and causes rows and arguments.
The invited guest is pleased to fit in with your plans although you are more than willing to change things to accommodate them since it will only be temporary. The uninvited guest always considers their needs more important than yours and, if you only mildly disliked them before they arrive, after a short while you begin to detest them with a vehemence that surprises you.
Jenet Peers
The Archbishop of Canterbury goes off at a tangent yet again out of touch with real people. There can only be one law that we are all subject to, that of the democratically elected government and contrary to what he said, I believe it is dangerous to advocate that we can choose which laws we want to be judged by. Laws enforced on the people by religions cannot be changed at the ballot box!
Ian Milne
I am heartbroken. Disappointed that the titular head of reformed episcopal Christianity in this country should seemingly be encouraging Islamic Sharia law. This at the time when Christians, and church buildings are being attacked, persecuted in Arab lands. What does he consider that Arab Christians being persecuted for their living faith in their own lands, would think?
Peter Rae
I am certain that the Archbishop is a thoughtful, serious and decent man but I think he utterly misunderstands the danger of proposing such a step. I would urge him and the government to contemplate the thick end of the wedge that this change would create. Islam has ambitions that we must heed if we are not eventually to be ground under its heel.
It is often estimated that within thirty years there will be a majority of Moslems in France; that's our nearest continental neighbour. Let Islamic nations make a matching gesture to allow non-Moslems living under Sharia law to operate under non-Sharia law. That should be the least quid pro quo for altering our own legal system and we should not make such an accommodation for Moslems here without a commensurate adjustment being made under Islam.
W Stephen Gilbert
As lifelong practising Anglicans we deplore the Archbishop's views on Sharia Law in this country. There should be one law for all regardless of race or religion. If people cannot abide by it they have the option to leave and live in another Country. This Archbishop is a traitor to his faith and we regard him as no fit leader of our Church
Bill & Audrey Layzell-Smith
It is not acceptable to have sharia law operating in this country - we can not have two legal systems operating in parallel. If there are any aspects of sharia which are not simply religion-based and which are better than English law, then they should be debated by the people and parliament, and if approved, incorporated in the proper way. If people are unable to abide by English law and its processes, then might they not be happier living where sharia rules; the Pilgrim fathers perhaps showed the way.
Anthony Clarke
I could hardly believe my ears, the Archbishop of Canterbury condoning - implicitly supporting - a separate legal system for religious people who don't like the one we all live under. I oppose discrimination on the grounds of religion so believe we all operate the same system be it legal, taxation, electoral etc. My first email to WATO and my first ever call for a resignation but this is shocking. Either the Archbishop should resign or the C of E should be dis-established to separate these views (which are quite acceptable under our existing laws of free speech!) from any sense of state approval.
Steve Hubbard, Norfolk
The Archbishop of Canterbury has rightly highlighted an issue that our politicians and law writers need to address. If the law does not address the issues of life faced by segments of the community, and they feel they cannot turn to the law to resolve conflict, then they will follow a path parallel to the law of the land. Whilst the Archbishop is a Christian and he talks of muslims this is not a religious issue. How can the law provide security for all of society's demands? It fails in more ways than excluding muslim culture.
Chris Millard
The UK is a Christian country and has been for nearly 2000 years, it might be worth pointing this out to Rowan Williams in his clearly confused state of mind he appears to have lost sight of this, to him, inconvenient fact. If a group of people want to reside in the UK then they MUST accept that the law of the UK applies to them as well as the rest of us. There can be no if or buts, one law for everybody regardless of creed or ethnicity. Muslims in general are only to ready to use UK law to enter the country, why should the law suddenly be so objectionable the day after they receive citizenship.
Barrie Watkins, Cornwall
What a disappointment Rowan Williams has been. When he became Archbishop many of us thought that at last we had a man in that post who actually possessed a brain, but sadly he is just as out of touch as was his predecessor. If I went to an Islamic country I would be expected to comply with their rules (eg. on drinking) so why can we not expect them to do the same here? He also capitulated over gay clergy when put under pressure by African homophobes. What little hope there was for the Church of England has now gone. It has no principles whatsoever and Williams is a disaster.
Mike Clutten
Who will rid us of this turbulent priest?
John Gold, Portugal
I was pleased to hear the Archbishop of Canterbury raising the question of Sharia law in the UK. Even though his view is totally mistaken he has at least brought into the open the creeping acceptance among our leaders that recognition of Sharia law will soon be inevitable. Adopting Sharia law would not lead to social cohesion; it would increase the likelihood of the development of separate states within a state.
Hilary Weavers
Please tell me I've slept through the rest of February and all of March and this is 1st April! The leader of the Church of England advocating the adoption of sharia law in the UK?? I've never had any time for this tediously pompous windbag but until now did not realise he was completely barking mad. Time to get the men in the white coats round to Lambeth Palace surely!
Annie, Scotland
I found Dr William’s comments today...deeply disturbing. All citizens of the UK should live under one system of law, not pick and choose as Dr Williams suggests. Human Rights are rights for all and apply to all, irrespective of class or creed. Adopting his approach will break communities, not forge respect and tolerance.
Adrian Colwell
I have just listened to the interview with the Archbishop, and conclude that the man has totally lost the plot. Sharia has no place in this country. We have a system of law which we all must accept, or else go elsewhere.... Just look at the all the examples of the intolerant nature of Sharia around the world. We do not need to discuss it further.
Robin Lucas
As a non religious citizen I believe that the Archbishops's opinions are totally out of tune with the non Moslem citizens of this once great nation. The Archbishop should now consider his position. He does not speak for the church or for secular people. He is so out of tune with reality and we, as a nation of law abiding and tolerant people should totally reject his views.
Pete Leighs, Staffs
The Archbishop of Canterbury has taken leave of his senses. I've worked in Mauritania and I can tell you Sharia law is pretty barbaric. Local village chiefs were proud of beheadings, stonings and amputations. It was a legal system that fitted neatly alongside slavery. Sharia law is medieval and has no place in a Western democracy.
Al Macdonald, Derbyshire