Difference between "believe" and "believe in"

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subhajit123

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Hi there, what's the difference between "believe" and "believe in" in the following sentences?

1- Hey Kate, do you believe in black magic and astrology? John: No, I don't believe in all those things.

2- Hey Kate, do you believe black magic and astrology? John: No, I don't believe all those things.
 
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probus

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Believe in is used for things like religion, gods, ideologies, in short, belief systems.

Believe on its own is used for facts and simpler propositions. I believe spiders have eight legs. I believe anti-immgrant prejudice played a role in that political decision.
 
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Only sentence 1 is natural.
 
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Rover_KE

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1) John: No, I don't believe in [STRIKE]any[/STRIKE] either of those things.

(If Kate is being asked the question, why is John replying?)
 
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subhajit123

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Rover_KE said:
1) John: No, I don't believe in [STRIKE]any[/STRIKE] either of those things.

(If Kate is being asked the question, why is John replying?)
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Sorry for that..:oops:
 
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