Even people who are generally very logical sometimes form opinions and beliefs in the absence of complete proof. People don’t usually believe in things when there’s a lot of evidence against them, but in cases where there isn’t any clear evidence either way, or there’s contradictory evidence, lots of people still have opinions. They believe, for all sorts of reasons, that if new evidence comes out it will prove certain things right.
And these people may not have proof that what they believe in is true, but they do have reasons. A person who believes that physicists are eventually going to find the Higgs boson, for instance, doesn’t suddenly change their mind unless the information they have changes somehow. And it’s the same with beliefs that are less factual and specific, like Are human beings fundamentally good? or How should I discipline my children? or Which political party will run my country best? People have reasons that are imporant to them for their beliefs, even when they don’t have proof their beliefs are true. People may change these beliefs, but again, they have important reasons for doing so.
And this is why it bothers me when people say that religion is a choice. When somebody sincerely believes something, they don’t just arbitrarily decide to stop believing it! Sure, religion isn’t something you’re born with, but the fact that I wasn’t born a Democrat doesn’t prevent me from being very attached to my political beliefs. So please, stop saying “religion is a choice” like you expect people to be able to turn it on and off. Beliefs aren’t like that.
Some Open Space 