“Men willingly believe what they wish.”

Okay, except not always true. Eg. Used to be christian- didn't choose to stop believeing.

I think this one is very true .. well for all others except myself of course .. only I believe just the real truth!

If it supports they world view and fulfills their basic needs whether it is true or not.

Tis true -- even in the face of mountains of evidence otherwise.

Well, everyone knows the old saying: "Wish in one hand, **** in the other and see which one fills up first." Self deception is easy and so are wishes, but eventually objective reality will catch up to you and in the end results matter.

I'm with gdgca. ;-)

Men will claim to believe what they wish to believe, but they cannot actually believe what they do not truly believe no matter how much they may wish to. The statement is not true. I adamantly claimed to believe the Christian doctrine for at least 40 years before I realized I was only kidding myself as well as others. I have long contended a person cannot make himself believe what is contrary to his logic no matter how much he may want to, as I tried to do for all those years.

You have a point Jack. But most do not let facts get in the way of their beliefs. As a matter of fact they will go to extremes to explain away any facts that try to get in the way. Most believe first then search for corroborating evidence, rejecting all that does not fit the preconceived mold.

yes, good statement

this is so true!! guys listen up there are times you need to admit that you're wrong and take it like a man and that's that !

Jack, you stumbled on the ultimate difference between faith and belief. By way of extremely terse example from the Christian Bible you probably read: "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." (Hebrews 11:1) Faith is equated to a tangible = "substance". The word substance here translates from a Greek extraction of a stone constructed foundation. Hope, as concerns faith is based on a tangible foundation. Mixing or combining with such hope, evidence is elemental (here identified as unseen - relegating the presentment of true existence by a sensory other than sight) in the entity that is "faith". Belief is a mere mental exercise at form being an empty simile of faith. By visual experience only, there is no difference between faith and belief. If an individual has never experienced faith in any other way, they will be unable to distinguish the difference between the 2. As to the quote, man's willing beliefs go to support life style or other current justifications, rationalizations or otherwise that seem to benefit the creature in the moment or immediate now. It is in the domain of belief that your experience demonstrates accuracy of another scripture, 2 Timothy 3:7: "Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth."

Since Gaius Julius Caesar was a tyrant, I guess he believed whatever he wished as long as he could destroy others and declare himself to be a "god." Do I believe in truth because it is truth or do I willingly believe a lie because I either know no truth or simply wish to do so?

The immature boy and girl believes what they want. The adult accepts the truth.