Non belief is not belief. Non chicken is not chicken. Something that isn't something can't also be the something it isn't. My keyboard is not a supernova or an ant hill or an infinite amount of things it isn't. This question is therefore nonsense.
Um, no. Not to believe certainly is not to believe. A simple glance at the dictionary proves that. You may as well say not being tall is also being tall. Stupid. Regardless, I do not believe because I was raised in religion, studied it in depth for years and years, realized it was nonsense finally despite all the indoctrination, so studied other religions and ultimately came to realize they're all just man made superstitious nonsense. So, saw no reason to continue.
Why do you believe? remember not to believe is to believe too?
Belief is a noun, it means, an acceptance that something exists or is true, especially one without proof, and it also means, trust faith, or confidence in (someone or something.).
Why do you believe?
Belief varies enormously from individual to individual, especially on matters like religion and politics. Research by Gerard Saucier of the University of Oregon shows that these myriad differences can be “boiled down”, to five basic "dimensions". Your belief system is the aggregate of your position on each of these five "dimensions" which are independent of each other. They are.
1.Traditional Religiousness : Your level of belief in mainstream theological systems such as Christianity and Islam.
2.Subjective Spirituality : Your level of belief in non material phenomena such as spirits, astrology and the paranormal.
3 Unmitigated Self-Interest. Your belief in the idea that hedonism is a source of value and goodness in life.
4 Communal Rationalism. Your belief in the importance of common institutions and the exercise of reason.
5 Inequality Aversion. Your belief in the level of tolerance of inequality in society, a proxy of the traditional left-right political split.
(This can lead to some strange areas, delusional belief being one, but that is another subject.)
I would hazard a guess that you and I have different levels of belief in areas 1 and 2, but I have no idea where you stand on the other three.
We all believe we have something that holds true for us.
What we believe may be the rational value of the social constructs or morality and respectful coexistence.
That works for me - no pixies, no unicorns and no need for them.