I think that the prime minister acted appropriately when calling a halt to Article 11's road show. Tension levels are high. And many Muslims perceive the discussions as a confrontation with Islam.

It is a sad reflection on the state of the nation that we are incapable of having a public discourse on issues which impact on the rights of its citizens.

We are a nation of many races and many religions. There are points at which our paths intersect and issues arise which cause tension. Therefore, there must be mechanisms in place for dealing with such issues. The majority cannot simply bludgeon the minority into submission. The Constitution is the document that establishes the rights of individuals. And judges are meant to uphold those rights without fear or favor.

The Lina Joy case is not about the superiority of one religion over another. It is not about whether the Syriah is superior to the constitution. It is about freedom. It is about freedom of conscience. It is about the freedom of an individual to make a decision about his ir her beliefs.

This is not an issue affecting public order.

There appears to be an attempt by some individuals with a fundamentalist agenda to whip up public hysteria over the issue. There is a clear and visible attempt to manipulate the outcome of the Federal court decision on the Lina Joy case.

To deny anyone of his or her right to make a decision about their faith would forever in this country remove a right considered by most civilised nations as an inalienable right of all human beings.