Syariah Law is a hideous system brought in to oppress Muslims and non-Muslims alike. It is a throw back to the Middle Ages and brings nothing but heartbreak, misery and pain to all who live under it - except a few hard-line Muslim clerics who are broadly similar in thinking to the Spanish Inquisition. There are countless people, both in and out of Brunei, who do not believe that Muhammad was God's prophet or that the Quran is God's word and should be entitled to say so. There are also many people who believe that marrying children as Muhammad did should be an offence. Syariah Law prevents people from exercising their rights to freedom of religion and to worship the God they believe in (or not) rather than the one portrayed in the Quran. No religion (and I am very for religious faith and the freedom to practice as you see fit) should be exempt from the requirement to provide freedom of conscience for the adherent. The application of Syariah Law is a moral evil and we should never be afraid to oppose such a sinister change in direction by a hitherto pleasant country. Why should it be acceptable for Muslims to enforce a change of religion on others but for them not be allowed to change their own religion should they so desire. These are basic human rights and we should never lose sight of the costs of freedom to believe whatever you want. We live in a world where countless groups seek to deny others their freedom of conscience and this is just another example of it. Whether it is radical Muslims who see that the only religion to be heard is Islam, radical gays who seek to prevent anyone who disagrees with them being permitted to say so, radical atheists who seek to prevent parents bringing up their children in the religion of their choice or whatever the cause - there is one common thread. These people are utterly intolerant of all views other than their own, but cannot win the argument. They therefore seek to impose their values on everyone else and will not allow any debate to the contrary. As soon as they find someone who disagrees they seek to punish them by taking away their respect, their job, their money, their conscience, their liberty or even their life. No community has been immune from this type of thinking down the years, but we need to see it for what it is - straightforward oppression coated in a chocolate of 'truth'. If you can persuade me to be a Muslim that is fine, but if I can convince you by rational discussion that it is not true, do I not have the right to do so? It would appear not.