We can choose to believe whatever we want–we have the privilege to think freely, and no outward force can enforce our inward thinking.  This is a great freedom.  But in the case that we are persuaded wrongly about something, there are still consequences.  If fired from our job, for instance, no amount of believing it hasn’t happened will bring in the missing paycheck.  And, theologically speaking, not believing in Hell doesn’t make it nonexistent.

When it comes to the big issues like “is there a god?” and “who is God?” we had better be pretty certain we’re confident of the truth–not based on polls, opinions and research, but on our individual quests through life and reality.