# Minor peeve - "Choose to believe" is flawed.

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/minor-peeve-choose-to-believe-is-flawed/250549>\
**Category:** The BBQ Pit\
**Created:** [June 15, 2004, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/minor-peeve-choose-to-believe-is-flawed/250549 "2004-06-15T21:54:40Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 2

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**Author:** ![erislover](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/71e660/32.png) [@erislover](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/erislover)\
**Post date:** [June 17, 2004, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/minor-peeve-choose-to-believe-is-flawed/250549/21 "2004-06-17T18:38:54Z")

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> [@Lobsang](#):
>
> Belief is a function of the mind that is seperate to our choice making ability. We can choose to do things, we can’t choose to believe things. We either do or we don’t.

I agree completely.

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**Author:** ![Kalhoun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/3bc359/32.png) [@Kalhoun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kalhoun)\
**Post date:** [June 17, 2004, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/minor-peeve-choose-to-believe-is-flawed/250549/22 "2004-06-17T21:29:21Z")

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> [@blowero](#):
>
> Well _I_ don’t; I don’t believe in God.

I wasn’t referring to the “you” you. I was referring to the “Other” you.

I still think that you have control over what you believe – IF you truly believe (speaking in terms of religion here). It has to make sense to a person on SOME level. You have to weigh the logic and forcibly go with that which is illogical.

I don’t understand how something (the Tooth Fairy) could make no sense at all and yet the whole God thing suddenly falls into place like a perfectly cut puzzle. And how you can believe that you’ll be forgiven for the very worst offenses a human being can commit. They choose to believe _superficially_… deep down, I think their rational brain knows it isn’t true. Like I said, I’m sure some people really buy into it, but most don’t.

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**Author:** ![CanvasShoes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/74df32/32.png) [@CanvasShoes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CanvasShoes)\
**Post date:** [June 18, 2004, 12:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/minor-peeve-choose-to-believe-is-flawed/250549/23 "2004-06-18T00:47:49Z")

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> [@Mangetout](#):
>
> I have to say, you’ve been starting some excellent threads lately **Lobsang** , with very interesting and thought-provoking questions; keep it up matey.

Lately? I can’t remember a thread of **lobsang’s** that hasn’t been interesting. Irritating sometimes yes:D, but I almost always read them just to see what he’ll be wondering about next.

But anyway, yes do keep it up, you always have something to say. Like it or not, it’s intriguing.

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