Do we choose what we believe?

I'm sure many people choose what they believe, I'm sure many people do not choose what to believe. When I was a little girl the question of religion never arose. It wasn't until I was in grade one when I was asked by a fellow classmate what i believed in. I said i didn't know yet. I had a large number of grade ones and two beat me up on the playground because I didn't believe in god. i was really confused on how everyone was so sure there was one, because when I was little my dad told me that I had the choice. I had the choice to worship any religion i wanted as long as I had reason for believing. My mother is an agnostic, my father is an agnostic but likes the way Gandhi lived. Did you know Gandhi was an atheist? My grandma is Mennonite, and my Grandma and Grandpa are Christan. I have decided now after reading the bible and personal debate (I am not going to fight with anyone other religion) that I am an atheist. I believe that I have chosen what to believe. However those kids in grade one with me that beat me up in the lords name I don't think they chose what to believe, I think they just believe what their parents told them to and what everyone else was.