I'm a little concerned about all the recent discussion in malaysiakini on who has the right to use the word 'Allah'. I've studied and researched all the religions of the world including the religious texts, books and scriptures right up to the beliefs of the modern man, including Satanism, the occult, the paranormal, philosophy, psychology, and the like for the past 20 years out of personal interest.

Different religions call or label their Gods in different names for different purposes. Some religions may share the same name or label for their God but not necessarily share the same definition, concept or beliefs. This labeling would not really matter unless a particular religion finds it extremely important to prove that their religion is the only way and/or the only truth compared to the rest.

Therefore, sharing a particular name or label of a particular God with other religions may be regarded as abominable and leading to the charges that it could be confusing for some people.

Like everything else in this life, 'truth' remains a subjective topic. Whether there are errors or not, religions have been accepted with or without question, and it has become the central faith for many, while at the same time, rejected by the rest. One may accept a certain religion while disregarding another.

One may accept all or some religions, and one may also reject them all. These choices are based on how a person is brought up or influenced during their childhood. Nevertheless, most religions serve to be some form of a guide for some form of goodness.

My advice is, before you make judgments on other religious beliefs, do your homework in world history and put in some serious research and thoughts on all the religions of the world, not just your own. I'm sure by the time you are done, you'll discover the many similarities and differences, and how it all evolved to become so in today's world.

Proclaiming one's own religious beliefs as the only truth is quite common among believers of a particular religion, if not all. I suppose this is human nature. But this may not be shared by others who think differently.

Always remember, whatever knowledge you have gained today about religious matters and concerns, it's only from your own religious books and teachings that you were taught to place your undivided and everlasting faith in. This, in fact, subjected to both positive and negative possibilities, whether you like it and believe in it or not. It may be all true and real for you while being absolutely or somewhat meaningless to others.