Is it increasingly more difficult to believe in a faith?

People of the Muslim faith have been tested throughout the 20th century, and their struggle have only intensified into the 21st. 

Syria, Egypt and Tunisia all have seen the cover of prime local newspapers. The world has heard their plight in practising their faith in the light (or darkness) of tyrannic subjugation. Praises be to God the most Merciful, they have passed this test of faith, for now they have spoken, and the world has listened. 

Here lies the key: social media, really. True, increased exposure to the flurry of ideas through our computer screens do at times test our understanding of our faith. But we need not always be at the receiving end. It ultimately is up to the believer - he can either take a concerted effort in rooting out such information, or tackle them head-on. So, it is not quite social media making it hard for us to practise our faith, but we are only bounded by our own response to all information we receive. 

The key? Social media proved too formidable and inexorable a force to be reckoned with, even by the most powerful of men, good and bad.  The voice of the believers challenged the nerves of tyrants, and awakened world leaders into action - as represented by the American cruise missiles and French warplanes bombarding Gadaffi's forces in support of the Benghazi rebels, and the ouster of Mubarak, paving the way of an Islamist government. God is the Greatest!

See, the challenges to faith posed by social media, if being responded to in a responsible and constructive manner only serves to facilitate the bolstering of one's faith. Speak the truth and it will prevail. 

Inevitably the believer comes across information which genuinely challenge his belief. To this, I say, the rise of social media is in tandem with that of Google. The Internet is a treasure trove of knowledge which in the past were confined between the walls of scholars. Why not see this as an opportunity to gain knowledge and wisdom and hence only increase our faith. After all, "admitting one’s ignorance is the beginning of wisdom" (Socrates). 

Hence, this widening of opportunity for expression only means greater ease of not only believing but also to propagate your faith. 

Social media is not only the surging force of today. Let's not forget temptation. This too today rules Man; the king of kings reign supreme deep in Man's heart. We travel, we watch television and we succumb to the cultural forces of globalization for we admire some of these foreign cultures; their freedom in conducting themselves; concept of career success triumphs over the need for self-actualization and atonement. To this, I say, wait and see. Globalization, too, is an awesome force. Everyone will realize that globalization works two ways. They (the foreign) too will have to start accommodating the faithful and their practice. 

Why? For the bottom-line ones amongst us, the global Muslim population is forecast to increase by 35% in the next 20 years. Clearly, in weighing the cost and benefit of the changing world to faith, this number speaks for itself.