Can you choose what you believe?

[Final-Fan]

fkusumot said:

Sky Render said:
On a more personal level, of course you can choose what to believe. It becomes harder to change certain core beliefs you hold as you get older, but it can most certainly be done.

Can you give me one example of a belief that you have that can change, right now, this instant? We're talking about a belief here, not an opinion or a preference.

[edit: never mind this]

I think that beliefs can be changed but not without significant pressure being brought to bear either through force of will or circumstance.  Some people have spoken of a dramatic experience or epiphany bringing about a sudden change in beliefs, but it could also be a slow process, usually influenced by one's actions, that gradually alters one's beliefs until they can be very different from what they were.  I suppose that's why they have those sayings about being careful what mask you wear lest you become that mask.  If someone said to himself, "It would be great if I held X belief", and lived his life according to that belief even if he didn't have it in his heart, I am sure it would get into his heart eventually.  But no matter how strong one's will is, beliefs are too important to be able to be changed quickly for something as insubstantial as a whim.