Bill seeks to limit religious law in PA courts

[rug]

Author: John Craven, Reporter, [e-mail]
Published On: Dec 15 2011 01:45:21 PM EST

Should religious law have any place in Pennsylvania courtrooms? One state lawmaker says no, and she's pushing a bill in Harrisburg to ban them.

State Rep. RoseMarie Swanger, R - Lebanon Co., said she's only trying to protect women's rights in divorce and custody cases, but interfaith leaders claim the bill is vague and violates their religious rights.

"This proposed legislation is simply unconstitutional," said Amara Chaudhry, an attorney and civil rights director for the Philadelphia Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR).

Jewish and Muslim leaders held a news conference Wednesday to protest the bill.

http://www.wfmz.com/news/news-regional-lehighvalley/Bill-seeks-to-limit-religious-law-in-PA-courts/-/132502/5711948/-/f9irkyz/-/

[Jim__]

1. I'd be more inclined to support this type of legislation if it also sought to protect ...

the constitutional rights of consumers.

Consistently, when I sign a contract with a corporation now, I have to agree to forego my right to sue if I think the corporation has violated the contract. I have to agree to binding arbitration where the arbitration board is overloaded with industry representatives. But, looking at the bill, it appears that this type of abrogation of constitutional rights by corporations is explicitly exempted.

[LiberalAndProud]

2. When does foreign law apply in custody cases?

oh, I see ... more of the Shariah law nonsense ... Never mind what I said about applauding. Yuck.