Being a lawmaker must be one of the toughest jobs.
Especially when it comes to the constitutional tenet of freedom of expression.
The Bill of Rights guarantees the right to speech, but it also protects against hate speech and incitement of violence.
So where exactly does one draw the line?
In a time when the world has seen a rise in radical extremist and rightwing groups, South Africa has undertaken to bring our legislation in line with international laws - in order to foster a climate of tolerance.
But, as they say, the road to hell is paved with good intentions.
And currently there’s plenty of fire and brimstone being aimed at the Prevention and Combating of Hate Crime and Hate Speech Bill, which will be discussed in Parliament later this year.
Hate crimes cover everything from discrimination against race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, colour and language, to disability, HIV status and pregnancy.
No one has been more vocal than Christian groups, who feel the Bill would effectively censor the word of God.
According to the proposal, if anyone (including pastors and imams) is found communicating a message that is deemed to advocate hatred; to be threatening or abusive; be conspiring to commit a hate crime; or to incite violence – they can be prosecuted.
We’re not just talking about sermons here, but also books, CDs, DVDs and social media.
Probably train evangelists as well.
If convicted of these crimes, they could face a stiff fine or three years in jail.
Re-offend, and they get 10 more years.
The Bill was opened up to comment in December, but the issue surfaced again last week when Idols judge Somizi Mhlongo complained about a homophobic sermon.
The flamboyant TV star caused a skandaal when he stormed out of a church service in Soweto where Ghanaian Bishop Dag Heward-Mills preached against same-sex relationships.
“You don’t find two male dogs, two male lions, two male impalas, two male lizards. You don’t find that in nature. That is unnatural. There is nothing like that in nature,” said the bishop.
Somizi later tweeted in anger: “This is who I am. I am a gay man. Get it straight into your skull. My soul is alright with my God. Let me deal with my God and my soul. Don’t tell me.”
Many have come out in support of Somizi, the gay Christian community and their right to freedom of religion.
But others point out that according to the Bible, homosexuality is a sin.
After all, it’s written in Leviticus 20:13: “If a man has sexual relations with a man as one does with a woman, both of them have done what is detestable.”
In the Qur’an, Lot says: “Indeed, you approach men with desire, instead of women. Rather, you are a transgressing people.”
Any Bible-reading gay Christian should be familiar with Leviticus, so why do people like Somizi feel offended?
Elsewhere, it is also written: “Thou shalt not kill, commit adultery, steal, bear false witness...”
While most religions discourage these sins, it does not mean liars, jollers, skelms and killers should be abused, threatened or attacked in church.
Where in the holy books is it written that sinners must be persecuted in mosques or kerke?
Where is it written that homosexuals are animals, paedophiles and monsters?
If it’s not written in the Books, then surely it is not “God’s truth”.
Some people like putting words in God’s mouth, don’t they?
And then they conveniently edit out the important parts about compassion, respect and “love thy neighbour”.
Besides, doesn’t the Bible say: “Let he who is without sin cast the first stone”?
It’s a hell of a debate – religion and homosexuality; religion and the constitution; and free speech vs hate speech.
Munier still stands by his words: your freedom of speech ends where another’s right to dignity begins.