They do choose, Jinora, and they know the consequences.

[ It may not be the kind of choice that seems fair, but these societies make their own rules, and Istredd has no interest in telling mortals how to run their lands. The gods exist openly in this sphere and certain sections of the land shun non-believers. There are ways to live within the community without being zealots, there are many who do it every day. It requires aggressive refusal of what is sacred to them to lead here.]

We'll have to disagree on that. They're in charge of their own futures. They don't want our help. I'm not doing it to be spiteful.

[ Istredd doesn't have a problem with non-believers. The Fey, vampires, and Draconae are not, and he lives with the latter. They see the gods as their own race but more powerful than the rest of them. The worshippers tend to be human, albeit with some werewolves and others who feel differently. It is a sense of respect in his mind, to accept what they want even if it's against common sense. But he can see why she disagrees.]

You can't always save people from themselves.