You said two things, 1. Freedom is good, and 2. Sharia law diminishes freedom. If I were to hold both these to be true, then it would logically follow that sharia law is bad. Let us not get bogged down in a theological argument of good and bad, and let us speak of this matter in a philosophical manner. I do not want any condemnations, nor unnecessary provocations.
My first question is; define to me your understanding of freedom. Then, we can better understand why you believe the diminishing of freedom is either good or bad.
Perfect Order,
I am not a philosopher, just a freedom loving American man. I cannot engage with you in philosophical debate, but I will give you my opinions...
Some aspects of shariah law trouble me. Such as the death sentence imposed on apostates, the mandatory tax expected of non-Muslims, the severe and arguably inhumane criminal punishments such as amputating the limbs of thieves or stoning to death people for the minor of offense of sleeping with someone other than their spouse. I know you will come respond by proclaiming that all these unsavory aspects of shariah that I just listed are only minor parts of it, but unless there is a movement to expunge them from the shariah people will always be suspicious and paranoid of it.
As for my definition of freedom, it's nothing fancy. it includes all the basic rights enshrined in our constitution (freedom of speech, freedom of religion, freedom of assembly, freedom to select own government, etc) and also security from oppressive government and oppressive people (such as clerics).
Unless shariah law will not only safeguard all these freedoms I already enjoin, and even enlarge them, I will continue to oppose it. I don't want to be told you can't do X,Y, Z because a religious scholar a few centuries go inferred that it was against the will of God.
