[bingookenoo]

The Certainty Bias would seem to be a large part of the problem of believing against the (lack of) evidence. Then there's master-worship, sect-worship, etc, that so often blind the sincere and enthusiastic follower to what's in plain sight for those unaffected by it. A lot of people don't see anything wrong with believing what makes them feel better and don't bother to investigate any further. My current girlfriend, a non-practicing Catholic, is like that. She doesn't seem to be embarrassed when she says that she has no evidence for God, but that she believes because it makes her feel better. She's not of a philosophical bent, so she doesn't even bother with considering the arguments. That, to me, is a perfect example of faith. Since she's not interested in developing her mind in that direction or cultivating the insights that the Buddha pointed to, I don't see any problem. Most of the world is like that, I imagine. That is, most of the people I've gotten to know have been.