Faith is what fills the gaps in our ability to use logic and reason.
The mind is like an ovum and ideas are like sperm cells. Once an idea impregnates the mind, it shields itself from other competing ideas. This metaphor helps explain why people who accept religion as a child tend to reject other religions that they get exposed to later in life.
Faith not only fills the gaps, but once formed and set, tends to become firmly entrenched.
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I agree that people tend to shield themselves from opposing views, and perhaps faith plays some part in that, but I think what you're describing has more to do with Benford's Law of Controversy, which says "when we find ourselves with little actual data and understanding, we fill in the gaps with passion and emotion."
I think this has more to do with the human psychological condition, defense mechanisms, etc... I could be convinced that there's some interplay with faith, but I would argue that healthy faith removes the shield/defenses in a lot of ways, as it can allow us to be more comfortable with things that are uncertain.
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