I see strongly held beliefs as similar to Odysseus tying himself to the mast in order to hear the sirens. You make a small sacrifice of "true rationality" where

I see strongly held beliefs as similar to Odysseus tying himself to the mast in order to hear the sirens. You make a small sacrifice of "true rationality" where you always let the evidence sway you, in order to reach something else you think is much more important. More often than not this important thing really is an experience of sublime beauty, another prescient part of the story. Not always. But often.