This is a common misconception, possibly due to the similar pronunciation of the word "believe" where the stress falls on the second syllable. However, the stress in "belief" follows the general rule of two-syllable nouns ending in "-ief" where the stress is placed on the first syllable.
Examples of this pattern include:
* Chief
* Grief
* Thief
* Brief
Therefore, the correct pronunciation of "belief" is be-lief, with the stress on the first syllable.