THERE really seems to be a headless chicken mentality regarding the understanding of Sharia law in the UK amongst non-Muslim folk.

Firstly, the three Abrahamic faiths of Christianity, Islam and Judaism all have moral and ethical codes which their respective followers adhere to, Jewish daily life is governed by the Torah, Christianity is informed by the 10 commandments and the Sermon of the Mount, and Islam is guided by Sharia.

Followers of these faiths have every right to follow the ethical code that is laid down in their respective holy books.

These ethical codes play a strong role in binding religious communities together in a common and shared ideal.

As is the case with all religious doctrine and theology there is fierce debate about interpretation and the varying degrees that their ethical code has in terms of legitimacy and practical applications in everyday life.

From these theological debates and positions comes different perspectives and beliefs about the ethical codes contained within each respective theology, some beliefs are extreme and some quite benign.

The three Abrahamic faiths contain both moderate and extreme interpretations of their ethical codes, for example when we see far right Jewish Groups in Palestine attacking people during passover because they drive their cars, or the Christian fundamentalist who takes it on himself to murder doctors who administer abortions, or the Taliban cleric who tramples on the rights of Muslim women.

At the moderate end of the spectrum followers of these faiths do their best they can to be good human beings in their daily lives.

If we are to tolerate religion in Britain then we should at least accept that these religions do have a moral code that their followers adhere to in their daily lives instead of jumping to the conclusion that there is somehow a huge movement to replace our Judicial systems with theological ethics, because this is simply isn't the case, and in relation to Islam, I repeat again, there are a tiny number of Muslims who would like to see Sharia replace Judicial Law.

If anyone can produce evidence that their is a groundswell of opinion within Muslim communities that they would like to replace Judicial law with Sharia then please provide readers of The Bolton News with this evidence, if not, then please stop filling these pages with misinformed sensationalist tabloid drivel.

Steve Jones Morris Green