Bill filed to ‘stop the spread of Sharia in Florida’
State Sen. Alan Hays, R-Umatilla, last month filed an “Application of Foreign Law” bill for the legislative session that begins next Tues., March 8. According to a right-wing blog, the law is an attempt to “stop the spread of Sharia in Florida.” #
Red County blogger Richard Swier writes that the controversial anti-Muslim group ACT! for America sent out the following press release about Hays’ bill: #
The American and Florida Laws for Florida Courts (anti-Shariah Legislation) has been filed in the Florida Legislature. We have sponsors in both the House and the Senate. #
The purpose of American and Florida Laws for Florida Courts is to preserve the sovereignty of the US and Florida and their respective Constitutions by preventing the encroachment of foreign laws and legal systems, such as Shariah law, that run counter to our individual constitutional liberties and freedoms. #
“This bill is much needed to stop the spread of Sharia in Florida,” Swier writes. #
The summary of the bill says the law “specifies the public policy of this state in applying the choice of a foreign law, legal code, or system under certain circumstances.” #
More on this to come. #
Bill, if man is to live according to the dictate of his conscience, I assure you he acheives nothing. Why not obey the Almighty laws?
I hope people will start up bills against proselytizing, witnessing, irritating church bells, etc that encroach on the lives of non religious people. I mean since sharia is such a great threat as a set of religious guidelines when they don’t even come to other people’s homes, these surely are things that also must be stopped.
Sen. Hays surely has more important work than this unneeded legislation. It is an attempt to solve a problem that does not exist. I am more concerned with his promotion of unregulated school vouchers that would send dollars to parochial schools that promote religious teaching … perhaps Islamic schools that teach and promote Sharia law. You can’t have it both ways, Mr. Hays.
This legislation, as drafted, doesn’t specifically mention Sharia or any other form of religious court system. It does state that any decisions rendered by a religious court system in Florida will be considered void if they conflict with Florida and US laws or with the Florida and US constitutions.
This is not a piece of hate legislation like the ones previously considered in Oklahoma and Tennessee. I believe it’s actually a good bill that permits religious freedom while also maintaining the supremacy of our secular legal system.