The most accurate definition of belief that I've seen, as defined by philosophers of mind is, "the psychological state in which an individual accepts a premise or proposition to be true", then no, I can't decide what I believe.
I base my beliefs on: demonstrable evidence, reasoned argument, and valid/sound logic, I will only believe something if it meets those criteria. If something meets those criteria, I will be compelled to accept it (provisionally) as true. I can't just decide to believe something, unless it meets those criteria. Nor can I decide to stop believing something if it does meet those criteria.
I base my beliefs on: demonstrable evidence, reasoned argument, and valid/sound logic, I will only believe something if it meets those criteria. If something meets those criteria, I will be compelled to accept it (provisionally) as true. I can't just decide to believe something, unless it meets those criteria. Nor can I decide to stop believing something if it does meet those criteria.
You'd believe if you just opened your heart" is a terrible argument for religion. It's basically saying, "If you bias yourself enough, you can convince yourself that this is true." If religion were true, people wouldn't need faith to believe it -- it would be supported by good evidence.
