I found the letter What ails Muslims in Malaysia? by Dr Syed Alwi Ahmad a very interesting read.

He dubs himself a scientist, and believe it or not, for this some people will conveniently put him on the opposite side of religion.

Personally, I, too, am an advocate of science. While I don't doubt the existence of God, I have never been a Christian or a Muslim and in all likelihood, will never be one. Unfortunately, too many disputes today are waged under the name of God, that really appalls people like me away.

There is also the tendency for some within religion to deny me my basic freedoms just because they do not see eye-to-eye with me. For instance, do I have the freedom to doubt religion if it is just a product of regional culture?

Do I have the freedom to respect other people beliefs while choosing to live the way I do?

Do I have the freedom to comment although I am not a member of any religious group?

It will not be easy, but we should learn to respect different voices for mutual good.