My belief is that adults can and do determine their own beliefs. If someone is a racist, that is that person's choice as an adult. Children are what they are taught. Adults can and must take responsibility for their adult beliefs.
I am not the person I was as a child. I have formed my own world view and ethical compass as an adult. I continue to change my opinions through learning and consideration. I hope to continue that process throughout my life.
I do not know Robert Byrd, who is the example you have been using. I know of him. So, I am unqualified to discuss why he held the views he held or what was the source of them. To do that would require speculation without information.
People often have religious beliefs at one time, and discard them as nonsense at some point. I'm one of those people. As I reached adulthood, I used reason to examine my beliefs, because I was able to do that.
However, I've known religious people who were wonderful people, as I said. I've also known religious people who were awful people. Both claimed to follow their religious beliefs.
The same is true of non-believers I know. I'm sure you also know people, both religious and non-religious who are wonderful and awful.
I judge people, based on what they say and do, not on what they profess to believe. I will continue to do that, but I've never met Robert Byrd, so there's little I can say about him as a person. Is he an acquaintance of yours?
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