Why have I developed a phobia of religious people?

Question

I am a tolerant, loving and accepting person who usually looks for the best in everyone.But more & more recently, I find myself recoiling almost in horror from people who admit they suscribe to a religious faith.I find it difficult to talk to them&if I'm around them I find myself obsessing about what could possibly be going on in their minds.I know rationally that most religious people are lovely,but can't stop myself taking religious faith as a stark signal of the continuing degeneration of the human species&it terrifies me to be so prejudiced as well as to realise that so may throw commo sense & rationality,the thigs which make us human, completely out the window.It's not belief in God or 'something else' that bothers me, it's the belief i organised religion.Does anyone else have this problem or can suggest how to remedy it?(Not by taking up Jesus ito my heart or whatever, but in a nice secular way that ca help me be a better human being)

I should have added that I've studied both Theology and Philosophy to degree level so it's not a question of needing to read the Bible, I've done that.

Answer 1

I have felt these same feelings in the past and still do sometimes on occasion. The thing that has bothered me a lot in the past is people trying to push their religious views on me. It irritates me when someone says they have the answers to everything and that I should believe how they believe. (especially when sometimes I think it's all a bunch of hogwash and I am left wondering how in the world do people get sucked into such brainwashing and ignorance!?)

What I tell myself to make me feel better is this: These people obviously feel really good about what they have experienced with religion. They take something away from religion that makes them feel so good, so wonderful that they want to share it with as many people as possible. I see them as coming from a good place, with good intentions therefore I do not take their actions or beliefs personally. They are going with a belief they feel strongly in their heart and so am I. I try to accept that they think differently than I do and I try and move on with progressive thoughts and actions. Concentrating on anything negative, including thoughts, can only lead to more negative in my opinion. Accept them for humans, with thoughts and feelings, and move on and try to change the world in your own special ways.

Answer 2

Phobia Of Religion

Answer 3

I've had that problem in the past. Try to remember that the majority of them don't think of themselves as cogs in the machine of organized religion -- a few do, but they're easy to pick out by their proselytizing. Most are religious as a personal matter of trying to be the best they can be and live a good life, and when you come down to it they share your values and beliefs about what is good and how things work (although they may bury some cognitive dissonance due to their religion ... I admit, it's freaky, but it's actually pretty rare that it turns them into true creeps).

And when you meet the real tools, you can try thinking of them as weak victims of a psychological scam, and when you hear their judgmental words, realize that they are speaking of themselves and their own self loathing and fear. And keep in mind, there are long cycles in history where the prominence of religion and rationality wax and wane, and we just happen to be in a trough at this time.

Answer 4

I have had these feelings myself and I was raised as a Christian. I think part of the problem (with me anyway) is the way religion is used so much by our government as a tool to try to get people to vote a certain way or to make people hate a certain group of other people, etc. The far right religious groups seem to be so voiciferous lately that it makes me ashamed to call myself a Christian and I hate when I hear them pontificate about God and Christianity, etc. They are so self-serving and two-faced, it is an abomination that they take what was meant to be beautiful, loving, accepting, forgiving, tolerant...and twist it to represent their own agendas.

What I try to do is to sit back and realize that most people just aren't like that. Most people are content enough and certain enough in their own beliefs not to judge and torment people who have other beliefs. We have to be tolerant and kind towards one another...otherwise, we are not living as fully and happily as we could be living.

I hope this helps at least a little.

Answer 5

Well, you are self-aware enough to realize that your fear is silly. And it sounds like you may even understand that it is caused by ignorance. You're not really afraid of the people. You just fear/hate/are ignorant of the attraction they have for established religions.

If you really want to stop "taking religious faith as a stark signal of the continuing degeneration of the human species," why not just read a book about comparative religions, or go online to see how many great and charitable things that churches do. See how many "soup kitchens" and homeless shelters and other life-saving services are provided by these people and organizations that you choose to despise/fear. Check out the Salvation Army's website for a start.

And, last, consider this: for many of us, established faiths are just a way to become better people, better than we would be without church. Unfortunately, for many people, established faiths are just a way for them to be comfortable being the way they are. Still, though, I like to believe that even these jerks are a little better than they would be otherwise.

Answer 6

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RE:
Why have I developed a phobia of religious people?
I am a tolerant, loving and accepting person who usually looks for the best in everyone.But more & more recently, I find myself recoiling almost in horror from people who admit they suscribe to a religious faith.I find it difficult to talk to them&if I'm around them I find myself obsessing...

Answer 7

unfornately the devils favorite place is on the pulpit.

therefore you may have had several encounters with people who were followers of satan and using the bible as their worship toward him. so your distrust of organized religion is a good thing.
you should check out everything to make sure it is truth.

in america we have printed on our money in god we trust. are you saying that america has no common sense and rationality?
then you should move to a rational country that has no god.

this will not be as easy as it sounds because most counties have a god or gods that they believe in.

use your common sense and rationality to positively prove there is no god now and never was. i am sure the whole world will thank you for the insight they have been missing for over 6000 years.

Answer 8

Probably not. They're both very close minded. I know very religious people and very secular people can be friends, but they have to be open minded, and interested in listening and learning from each other without needing to convert the other.

Answer 9

Thank you for your question. You are afraid of religion for good reason. More wars have been fought in the name of a god than for any other reason. Religion and more importantly the need to have a belief structure in a society prompts a them V.S. us attitude and policy. Think of yourself as a global citizen. That may get you functioning, hope it helps.

Answer 10

i think u have fear of the unknown and u find it hard to talk with people about religion because u don't know or understand it ,u should try reading the bible and at least learn about what it has to say then u will be able to have some understanding of what people r talking about, the bible is really all we have to go by when it comes to beliefe in god and jesus the savior