Can we choose to believe?

Can We Choose to Believe?

Here is a weird question.

Can we choose to believe?

If so…

If offered a large sum of money could I believe there is a floating pink elephant behind me?

No, I don’t think so.

I could say I believe, but deep down my life experience, intuition, and senses would tell me otherwise.

If I can’t choose to believe does this mean I don’t have the choice to believe? Does this mean that we are somehow predetermined to belief or skepticism by our personalities or circumstances or experiences?

How is it that we believe then?