'Pragmatist' has written a very illuminating letter Choice of one's religion is a human right as it covers an area most Malaysians prefer to avoid.

Isn't it strange while we profess freedom of religion and that most Malaysians have the freedom to choose their religion, Muslims don't have the same right?

I am not an Islamic scholar but from my conversations with them, I deduce that this issue is caused by a narrow and even possible wrong interpretation of the Islamic scriptures.

We all know that Islam says that one who turns away from Islam after having followed the faith deserves death. However, is it physical death that the Prophet asked for? Wouldn't it be more natural that one who leaves a spiritual path faces spiritual death rather than physical death?

This assertion makes more sense. The Prophet, like all other prophets before him, simply points out the spiritual truth and the spiritual punishment that awaits one who turns away.