I recall a friend telling me about her bunch of Uni friends who were all worked up over an ignorant editor's note about today's young people's approach to Merdeka. But when my friend asked them to write to the editor to air their concerns, they just said, "aiya, what's the point lah."

Why do our youths balk at speaking up for what they believe in?

Following the incident involving the desecration of churches and mosques, I asked about 35 of my friends on whether they had made any effort to resolve such issues in our society that were obviously bothering them. Over half of them said no, with the general consensus being they didn't know what else could be done to help the situation. Others who did take some action  noted that they probably did not make any difference.

While 35 young people is not representative of the entire youth mentality, I still find the results illuminating, and for some reason, very easy to relate to.

After all, is there really anything else we can do? A 20,000 strong protesting crowd failed to achieve a repeal of the ISA. Attending candlelight vigils gets you arrested. Dialogues and forums and discussions seem to dissolve into obscurity, or make the news for turning into a madhouse of a mob. 

The truth is that we are never really taught the values of fighting for our beliefs. The values of respecting our elders and authorities? YES. The values of not creating trouble? Definitely! The idea of earning a lot of money so that we can migrate to somewhere better: It's practically in our blood. But the values of standing up for ourselves, and pursuing what is right? Nah, what's the point.  

As American theologian Reinhold Niebuhr said, "Nothing worth doing is completed in our lifetime; therefore we must be saved by hope. Nothing true or beautiful makes complete sense in any immediate context of history; therefore we must be saved by faith...." 

Yes, defending your beliefs is less about making a difference, but having faith that one day you will. The unfortunate reality is that we Malaysians have a results-orientated mindset. When we pursue for change, there damn well be some changes. Or else, what would be the point?

Perhaps that is why extremists resorted to shockingly immature acts of burning churches and throwing wild boars' heads in mosques: dialogues, peaceful protests or petitions are not churning out the results they want, and therefore they try to spur things to the next level. 

In reality, change is not quick and painless - it really isn't like Tweeting. Remember the political tsunami of March 8? It was the defining day when the nation, especially the youth, realised that hey, we really do have a say in politics.

Let me assert that I am not advocating any political agenda or methods, but like it or not, March 8 was dubbed "The Day Malaysia Woke Up", but the process had started 10 years ago, when we were struggling to open our eyes and adjusting to the light. 

When I asked the 35 friends what they feel about Malaysia now, their replies revolve around despair, anger, and hopelessness. Next, I queried if they would leave Malaysia for good if given the choice.

Most gave a definite "No". The majority view is that Malaysia is our only real home, warts and all, and a home is worth striving for. Plus - this is highly important - where else would we get the food?

Yes, we may not know what we can do to make things better. We also may not see the difference that we hope for. But we cannot give up on our country, because as English novelist Samuel Butler said, "You can do very little with faith, but you can do nothing without it."

Am I too idealistic? Am I in denial? I'd like to think that I am just having faith, here in my home. 

Every little action now can help to build the path to future action. Do what you know best, whether it is participating in dialogues, updating your Facebook status with encouraging messages, organising petitions, or correcting others' insensitive comments.

Finally, pray as hard as you want to, but remember that even when you pray to win the lottery, you must also be ready to buy the lottery ticket.