Why do people believe what they do? Whether religious, spiritual, agnostic or atheist?

 "People believe what they do at that point in their lives as a way of trying to survive whatever they find themselves trying to survive at that time here on earth."

If you start with this premise it is much easier to understand all mankind.

If you have been raised in the U.S. or Europe or other 1st world country you might believe almost anything because your life has been luxurious compared to other countries in the world where you have no freedoms or very little freedom at all.

So, the worse the conditions are the more likely people are going to believe "Really strange things" at least according to your 1st world sensibilities.

However, it is important when traveling the world like I have to be open to other points of view. For example, my wife was watching a little of "Emily in Paris" to unwind from the intensity of "Raised by Wolves" which often is hard to watch because of the hardships the children face on a new planet.

So, watching something lighter like "Emily in Paris" takes the edge off a little.

But, since I speak French from two years in High School I started seeing how Emily is in a form of Culture Shock even in a culture as similar to the U.S. as France.

Her Chinese lady friend she meets says how "Chinese will be mean to you but only behind your back" but "The French will be mean to you to your face!"

And Emily in Paris demonstrates this cultural nuance quite well. So, in this subtle but overt way the meanness of Paris is demonstrated culturally. In other words if you cannot speak perfect French you are put down for it by Parisians especially. French people would rather you not attempt to speak French unless you do it well. This is just something you have to get used to in that culture.

They are extremely offended if you try to speak French not perfectly.

I'm not sure exactly why this is but this is a fact.

And Yet, Paris is one of the most magical and romantic Cities in many ways here on earth.

So, like most places Paris is a complete paradox in many different ways.

So, once again the truism I started with:

 "People believe what they do at that point in their lives as a way of trying to survive whatever they find themselves trying to survive at that time here on earth."