Is belief really a choice?

[Mystic]

Here's the thing: I don't choose to believe a thing. However, I can choose to research it to the best of my ability in order to inform the assumptions I make which fuel beliefs.

But perhaps you reach boiling points. You face emotions. For example, if there is a soul, which for all we know there is, you can prefer a certain belief over another for various factors...and then there is a choice if you become sincere to the truth and prefer the rational one over the one you like. There can be will power. (I say "a soul" because to me, I can't rationally justify free-will as possible from naturalism perspective and the evidence points the other way.)

I think Atheists should be proud of their Atheism if they believe they did the honest decision (ie. it's praiseworthy).