If someone says beliefs are personal choices what does that tell you about him?

People who say that generally put more importance on opinion and less importance on facts. They generally (generally, not exclusively) say things like, "You should respect people's beliefs" and don't understand that respecting people's beliefs means you respect the bad beliefs. I've had this discussion many times to know they generally do not know the difference between respecting beliefs and respecting someone's *right* to the beliefs. They think these different concepts are the same... a frustrating reality.

They generally don't understand that personal beliefs are so varied and--though everyone has a right to them--they therefore should not be the basis on which we make decisions for others. Varied beliefs tend to clash with the rights of others.

They THINK they are being inclusive when they say something like that, but what they do is keep the door open for people with dangerous beliefs to come in and shut it down for everyone, capitalizing on the liberal declaration (now being used against them) "You have to respect my beliefs!"

I don't mean to slam liberals (as a fairly liberal person myself). And this is by no means support for the polar opposite conservative ideal that no one should be allowed to have differing beliefs.

ps. Beliefs, by and large, are not really choices. You can choose which information you use on which to make conclusions, but the conclusions themselves tend to be self-evident and not choices. So to add to the above, someone who claims people are free to choose what to believe also tend to live in a world of little thinking about what they believe.

Beliefs are personal choices. Believing in a god is a choice, believing there is life on other planets is another choice

Perhaps the person is speaking of the beliefs he has to which he made a choice about.

You don't make those kinds of choices? That's an odd thing.

What else can't you choose to believe?!

You can't choose to believe who you love?

You can't choose to believe which pair of socks you should wear?

You can't choose to believe to brush your teeth or not?

You can't choose to believe which car is best for you to drive?

Probably that he's gullible or has a weak argumentative position. For me my beliefs aren't chosen. I couldn't choose to suddenly believe in Santa Claus. I can't suddenly choose to believe that I have super powers.

Everything is or should be a personal choice when it comes right down to it.....

It says that he will find a religion that agrees with his pre-held personal choices...basically, what all people of faith do.

He believes in freewill and minding one's own business.

Scripture is no private interpation by anyone