Why We Believe

Psychology has granted us relatively new insight into why people will believe things absent proof or a reasonable argument.

1) we believe what we want to believe
2) we believe things that ease our fear of death
3) we are swayed by emotional appeal
4) we believe after being presented with partial or circumstantieal evidence
5) questioning traditional religious belief is taboo
6) we do not want to dissapoint our parents, family, and friends
7) we believe in response to peer pressure
8) some things in life are easier when we're a part of a religious community
9) religion assists some in finding a mate
10) we are lazy, and it takes work to find good enough reason to change our minds
11) we are scared into belief (hell and damnation)