Its all over the papers but you don’t see her face.

What you do read is two different judgments, two sides of the religious divide and two sets of supporters albeit one side has fewer vocal supporters.

What you do see is a lot of pictures but no Lina Joy.

The reason is obvious. It is for her safety. But this reason is not obvious if one has not been living in the last 30 years on earth. That person would not have heard of the resurgence of a militant and intolerant minority.

You see, what is the right decision may not be what is the best decision in the circumstances.

I don’t know if the Federal Court can hold a decision other than what they have decided.

Reality is the judges are humans too - with their own lives and family to think about. I (as a husband & father) am beginning to appreciate this very fact more and more.

In the face of the minority extremists with crazed idea of what is right and wrong, a person in their position would be quite wary of the implications to their own safety and the safety of their family if the Federal Court decided in favor of Lina Joy’s appeal.

Yes, it is unfair to Lina Joy and possibly a great number of converts from Islam in Malaysia but would you have decided otherwise and risk your own life and family?

On the other hand, even if the judges are made of sterner stuff and are unafraid of the unpleasant consequences to their own lives and family, there is always the consideration of public safety as a whole.

A decision in favour of Lina Joy’s appeal may be interpreted in the wrong light by the minority extremists as a slight on their religion and may lead to unrest, riot or worst another May 13.

Taken in this light, the decision is for the greater good.

Unfortunately, this decision if interpreted liberally by future judges may lead to further injustice for those in custody battles and as pointed out by many experts - would limit a lot of personal freedom of converts. This would force them to leave this country, as it is often the case. On one hand the cost is separation from this country and family, on the other hand - the great risk of riots, unrest and violence to the whole nation.

I would choose Peace, though there would be no Joy.

What would you have done in their (the judges) circumstances?

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