What do you mean we don't choose what we believe?
Belief doesn't work like a choice. It's not something you pick, like a meal or a team to support.
Belief is what happens to your brain when you become convinced by something.
By evidence.
By an argument.
By your experience.
By your emotions or upbringing.
But if you're not convinced, then belief is not possible. You can't just summon it at will.
And yet many religious traditions treat belief as a moral decision — the decisive line between salvation and damnation.
But what kind of system punishes you for something you couldn't control?
Watch the Argument
Come to Life
These short clips bring the ideas behind Unconvinced into focus.
Each one tackles a different aspect of belief, doubt, or the moral problem with judging what we don’t choose. Watch, think, and share.
About the Author
Jon Cohen is a writer, producer, and lifelong questioner. Best known for his work in music, he’s also spent decades advocating for science, reason, and critical thinking — with articles published in The Skeptic and Skeptical Inquirer. Unconvinced is the result of years of reflection on faith, doubt, and the moral consequences of belief. Jon didn’t set out to attack religion — only to defend sincerity. He lives in the UK with his family and two indignant Burmese cats.
Critical Acclaim
