Once, a devout Christian was preaching to me about the sin of being avaricious. He said humankind should realise when enough was enough and help the less fortunate with whatever excesses they have.

I find nothing wrong with the stand. The only problem is, this person who was preaching to me even criticised people who owned Mercedes Benz cars when, according to his belief, they should own less flamboyant cars and the difference in money be donated to the more needy. It was at this point when I - a Christian, too - said, "Whoa, buddy, hold your horses!"

Here was a Christian who preached his personal level of what crosses the line between the sin of being avaricious and being OK. Who made him judge?

He was scrambling for an answer when I told him that by wearing shoes and a wristwatch - as he was - he had probably sinned because he was being avaricious. He should have worn slippers and not have a wristwatch, and the difference in money saved could have been donated to the less fortunate. If he wanted to tell the time, he could have asked people who wore wristwatches or pop into a shop or buildings where there are clocks on the wall.

So, where do we draw the line on whether one has sinned or not?

Now, over to the issue of EPF investments in non-halal businesses, whilst the PAS MP, Mahfuz Omar, who raised the question of EPF investments in 'sin' stocks and Eric Cantona Malaysia's opinion that EPF should withdraw from such investments because on Muslims' judgment day in heaven they will have to answer to their almighty.

Are they sure that they are not committing sinful acts or acts against teachings of Islam in other aspects of their daily lives?

For example, they say EPF investments in brewery and tobacco companies are un-Islamic, I believe millions of Malays, especially Malay men, smoke cigarettes. One of the major agricultural crops amongst Malay farmers in Kelantan where PAS rules is tobacco. Also, a favourite snack among Malays is tapai, the semi-fermented sticky rice which exudes an alcoholic aroma because it does contain alcohol at a certain level. So, should Malays give up these two commodities because clearly according to the PAS MP and Eric Cantona Malaysia, EPF investments in Carlsberg and BAT are un-Islamic?

Apart from the above two examples Malays and Muslims of other ethnic groups participate in, consume, patronise and earn livelihoods in many areas that easily qualify as un-Islamic if one were to extract bits and pieces of the holy Quran and quote them out of context.

My point here, is where does one draw the line and who is qualified to draw lines on something as personal as having done right or wrong with one's religion?

It appears to me that such people who spout religious edicts and judgments do so without realising that they themselves justify sinful acts in their lives because these acts are a convenience in their lives or serve their interests.

Just like the Christian person I mentioned who used his personal judgments to draw the line between good and evil, aren't some of the Malays doing the same thing? Aren't these people imposing their personal religious standards on others and arrogantly pointing fingers?

Malaysia, being a multi-racial country (find me one that is not today), will inevitably encounter issues that rub the right or wrong way with one race or another.

So, who should give in or always has to give in?

My stand on EPF investments is that as long as such investments are in bona fide companies doing legitimate business in Malaysia, they should be acceptable.

On the other hand I must respect the feelings and stand of Muslims in Malaysia who feel uncomfortable with non-halal investments.

Therefore, in order for the government to respect the feelings and position of Malaysians of various races and religions who contribute to EPF maybe the government should study the concept of separate investments with Muslim and non-Muslim EPF contributors' funds.

I cannot help but state finally that I detest politicians who use religion wrongly to serve their own ends but impact the livelihood of the public negatively.