Following the controversies over the Jawi raid , the Valentine's Day ban , and the ruckus over the proposed Interfaith Commission kindly allow me to point out some observations which I believe will be of general benefit.

1) 'Accepting' a religion does not equal to 'believing' in it - One who accepts a religion can never be forced into becoming a dedicated believer in it. It takes time and personal experience for this to happen.

By the same token, a believer can never be forced into changing his belief because it is based on deep personal conviction.

2) Believing is an individual personal experience - Religion has been divinely revealed, to be used as a signpost to point the way to the Supreme One. It is not to be used by self-anointed 'keepers of the faith' to force bash all and sundry into submission and conformity.

3) No religion promotes the subjection of one human being to the will or another - While human beings themselves are capable of great destruction, there is no force on earth that has proven to be powerful enough to sever faith from a believer's heart.

4) Religious belief can never be enforced - 'Religious enforcement' is nothing but a political tool to legitimise compulsion for religion. Arresting someone for not yet having matured from the realm of 'accepting' to the realm of 'believing' is being shortsighted.

Only the Supreme Authority who demands exclusive homage can actually convert 'acceptors' (and even skeptics) into believers. Such a Heaven-inspired believer will undeniably stand tall in the eyes of the community, exuding a characteristic compassion for his fellow humans.

It is this divine, heart-penetrating, life-changing faith alone that has the capacity to transform even the rottenest human soul, giving second birth to enlightened men and women of character, who consistently (and with great humility) strive towards a better society.

It's high time people in these parts are given the breathing space to reach out to the Higher Spirit, to grow spiritually and realise their own destinies, without authoritarian groups insisting on theological nose-rings.