@iamfree2think I like your reference to Quine's Web of Belief epistemology, which I fundamentally agree with, but I think there are deeper psychological motivations going on here. (BTW, in no way was I assuming that belief is static. It obviously isn't) My real question is why do some people commit themselves to belief systems that they don't understand themselves, let alone are able to explain to others. This has deeper psychological implications and hints at more personal and social motivations than can be explained by epistemology alone.

BTW, because of the grammar of your last sentence, I am not quite sure I understand the point you are making. Also, what are you calling "orthodox" belief, as opposed to rational belief? It sounds as if you are equating orthodox belief with irrational belief, but I am not sure that is what you mean.