[reasonisfaith]

I’m merely pointing out that in the formation of human beliefs, passion always precedes intellect.

We believe what we want to be true, then we rationalize it. There is some room to get around this in the scientific method, such as with the double blind protocol. But one of our greatest weaknesses is the inclination to believe rational thinking is the rule.

[BroJoeK]

"We believe what we want to be true, then we rationalize it."

Sure, but only up to a point -- the point where "cognitive dissonance" becomes intolerable and we have to rethink what we thought was true.
Of course some are more easily moved by cognitive dissonance than others with the results that debates are possible and outcome unpredictable.