Why, then, has this idiotic man suggested that some elements of Islam's sharia law should be recognised in Britain? There is no call for it among the majority of Britons, who are quite satisfied with us all being subject to the same laws, and certainly no call for it among his flock. He is doing it for the traditional, British liberal reason: he seeks to capitulate to anyone who offers to challenge the status quo.

All appeasement of those who threaten a settlement - whether it be political, religious, cultural, legal or a mixture of all four - is dangerous and stupid. It is the thin end of the wedge to the overthrow of that settlement. The archbishop argues that Muslims should not be forced to choose between their culture and their country of adoption. I'm sorry, but that is precisely what they - and anybody from any different culture who comes here - must do.

It is not just that having one law for Muslims and another for everyone else would be fatal to the rule of law, to the coherence of our society, and to any sense of nationhood. It is not even just that it would fuel anti-Muslim extremism, as the opportunist, grandstanding race-relations commissar Trevor Phillips has said. It would fuel pro-Muslim extremism too and, frankly, that it is even more dangerous. It would make a minority of Muslims believe that this country was theirs for the taking, whether the majority liked it or not: and what sort of society would that lead to?

If Muslim nations wish to have sharia law, then so be it.

However, just as we are always being warned about features of our culture that might offend Muslims, let Muslims - and Dr Williams - be in no doubt that there are aspects of sharia law that offend us. The subjection of women, which degrades and humiliates them, is the most notable. The archbishop seems to imagine that sharia law's adoption could be confined to matters such as financial transactions and divorce.

But why should it stop there? Indeed, how could it?

The Church of England has long dined à la carte from the menu of Christian doctrine. The Ten Commandments have become mostly optional. Homosexuality, divorce and abortion are demanded as rights by certain sections of the Anglican communion, and no prelate seems to dare to contradict them. The Church has brought itself into contempt by acting in this way. Now, though, perhaps Dr Williams imagines Muslims will dine à la carte from the Koran. He must be mad.

A man in his position should defend our way of life and, above all, defend the unity of our society. That unity is already fragile: and this disgraceful act of appeasement, as well as showing the archbishop is unfit to occupy St Augustine's Throne, threatens to shatter it. If the Church of England has any point, it is to stand up for the prevalence of English and Christian values. We like our country as it is. For God's sake, Williams, get off your knees.

END