Bill to Ban Sharia Law Defense in State Courts

The federal government deemed anti-Sharia Law bill unconstitutional in 2012, striking down a similar bill in Oklahoma.

A bill in the State House could ban the use of Sharia Law, or any foreign laws, as a defense in state courts.

Sharia, or Islamic Law, is used by many Muslim countries to influence their laws. Countries like Saudi Arabia use such laws, but so have militant organizations like the Taliban.

“Radical Islam has declared war on the United States of America,” Republican Representative Chip Limehouse said. “They’ve captured journalists and reporters and cut their heads off, so a little small change in the law that’s pushing back and saying what were all about is kind of a good thing for South Carolina.”

It is not the first time lawmakers have tried to push for an anti-Sharia law bill. In 2010, a similar bill was proposed but did not pass.

The federal government deemed anti-Sharia Law bill unconstitutional in 2012, striking down a similar bill in Oklahoma.

But Republican representative Chip Limehouse, who proposed the bill, says it could still be a threat to the current judicial system.

“I think in order to avoid the constitutional challenges that will certainly come, we’re gonna change the word Sharia Law to foreign law,” he said. “Its broader based but not so specific.”

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