UK - Christianity declining, Atheism rising, but so is Islam...

[Fidel_Castronaut]

You're right that there is no penalty for apostasy in British law, but Sharia law operates outside of that and there are still very, very harsh inter and intra-community punishments for it.

http://libertygb.org.uk/v1/index.php/new...nced-islam

There have been serious issues in the past in communities where the majority espouse a sect of Islam with harsh conservative sharia courts dominating local lives.

Yes - But at least Britain provides a good mechanism for non-believers to leave the religion without trouble - Unlike in Saudi Arabia. Keep in mind that you can find despicable family reactions to apostasy in more religions - I am Portuguese, and one thing that concerns me is that some high profile leaders of the JWs community supports families kicking kids out of the house if they leave the religion or do things that go against the faith - This is terrible, specially for young adults who don't have jobs, and for minors it is illegal.

It does have a good mechanism (rule of law), but as you yourself point out in your post, these mechanisms are utterly irrelevant if the community/social subculture (Whatever) in questions refuses to abide by them.

Cultural [undefined] and religious norms in many Islamic communities necessitate the demonising and outcasting of aposates, just like in many north African communities the use of FGM is still rampant. All the laws and social constraints in the world ain't gonna do anything if people insulate themselves from that and wider society doesn't take a stand against it. In many ways, the only difference is that the state here doesn't actively enforce the punishment of apostates, but neither does it outright condemn terrible practices against them (as the article I linked elucidated). A thin line, i'm sure you'll agree.

As to your other point, yes, that is terrible, very terrible indeed