LETTER | Prior to Aug 31, 1957 there were no incidents involving forceful entry into places of worship of other faiths or breaking of idols. The Penal Code took care of any offence against any religion.

Today, we have a written constitution guaranteeing us freedom of worship, freedom of speech and other rights, grouped together as fundamental rights; yet, the intolerant behaviour of some is shocking.

Causing damage to places of worship, forcibly entering them and destroying statues and other things found there would not in any way foster religious harmony.

Sacrileges of places of worship were unheard of during the pre-Merdeka era. How did this change come about? Have we made any attempt to find out the real cause? I doubt.

I am inclined to believe that there could be little Napoleons sitting in the Ivory Tower dishing out irrational views, and who would give explanations inconsistent with the guaranteed fundamental rights.

Presently, from kindergarten to higher level of schooling, we are accustomed to witnessing the extolling of virtues and supremacy of one religion and picking faults with all other faiths: besides, there is also the culture of belittling other religions.

Is this the trend that should be encouraged and sustained? If so, the venom of hatred that is infected into the minds of the innocent young ones is alone sufficient to destroy everything that is good in this country, and that will eventually shatter the dreams of a beautiful Malaysia forever.

The Johor incident of the temple destruction, followed by the deputy prime minister’s call to respect all religions, calls for closer scrutiny of the current religious and racial intolerance.

The temple incidents may have varied nuance: but, what is in issue is the manner in which it was done. Whoever did it could have exercised a modicum of reasonableness and could have pursued a peaceful course. The deputy prime minister’s call is correct and timely.

It must be drilled into the mind of everyone that all religions in this country will exist as they did centuries ago. No one can deny that. The constitution protects all religions.

If we can understand this constitutional position, then, we can say that the existence of different thoughts and different religious philosophy cannot be defeated.

I am not saying that you should accept my religious precepts but I would say respect my liberty to worship the way I want and the way I have grown up - that is the understanding we need to foster and instill.

The system of education must begin by respecting other religions; big or small, and that education must start at kindergarten level and sow the seed of understanding in the young minds. If we do that we will have fair and rational-minded people - Malaysians.

When there was no constitutional guaranties or freedom worship there was deep-seated understanding; today, we have constitutional protection to freedom of worship yet there is no security.

The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of Malaysiakini.