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jimrandomh comments on No, Really, I've Deceived Myself - Less Wrong
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Many people cannot distinguish between levels of indirection. To them, "I believe X" and "X" are the same thing, and therefore, reasons why it is beneficial to believe X are also reasons why X is true. I think this, rather than any sort of deliberate self deception, is what you have observed.
I expect it is an easy distinction for most people whom Eliezer describes as "highly intelligent".
It depends on how seriously they took the conversation.
I completely agree with Jim, the difference between, "I believe God exist" and "God exist" is a debate in itself
I also think that Eliezer should have brought up this point to her attention to really get the response she "believes in"
For many people saying "I believe God exists" is a stronger proposition than "I know God exist"
If it's a distinction they'd rather not think about, I wouldn't bet on it. If you don't put some work into preventing it, more intelligence can just mean cleverer defences for your irrational beliefs.
How can more intelligence lead to be more likely to defend your irrational beliefs?
See Positive Bias: Look Into the Dark and Knowing About Biases Can Hurt People.