Huge stress is laid, especially in the extreme protestant sects, in believing. If God is omnipotent why would he concern himself as to whether we miserable mortals believe in him or not? One would think he would be more interested in how one behaves and treats one’s fellow men. Is it assumed that believing automatically leads to a more moral life? In which case, God must be disappointed.
A professor of history at my old university said at the end of of a survey of intellectual history: “I firmly believe that people will believe any damn fool thing.” Like anything else in human experience, you have to believe smart, just like you have to think smart, act smart etc. “Believe” is a word whose importance depends entirely on “WHAT” is believed.