Theology is described by Wikipedia as, “The study of a god or, more generally the study of religious faith, practice, and experience, or of spirituality.” Many men and women make this study a priority for their lives and often their vocation. Others will have nothing to do with theology stating either indifference of a pronouncement of complete atheism. For those who fear the study of a god they may struggle with Theologicophobia.
The act of studying theology is in fact a pronouncement of faith in something bigger than the person studying. It is a belief that there exists something that is more important than our own desires and wishes. It suggests there is someone or something we will be answerable to for our actions and attitudes. While this provides comfort to some it provides profound fear in others. This phobia is a visible reaction to the fear.
What Causes Theologicophobia?
The fear of theology is often escalated when an individual considers the implications of faith and the potential that we are designed to follow an order for living. This view is often in conflict with the notion that we are absolutely free to pursue anything we want to pursue – to engage in anything that pleases us. Yet, if we give theology too much power we agree with the implication that we have a responsibility to something bigger than ourselves. Since most cannot claim to have seen the ultimate object of the subject of our study we can view the study as illogical, but may not be able to escape the notion that there may be more to life than what is seen. The combination of these thoughts can lead to a fear of learning anything more about the deity of our theological study.
Symptoms of Theologicophobia
This fear may find the theologicophobe with not only a fear of the study of theology, but also a fear (and perhaps even loathing) for others who subscribe to the belief included in the study of theology.
Other symptoms may also include…
- Air hunger
- Trembling
- Elevated heart rates
- Weeping
- Screaming
- Anger
- Nausea
A person with this fear will not visit a house of worship dedicated to the deity described in theology. This may extend to one religious faith or it may extend to any religious faith that suggests there is a deity in charge of all or certain aspects of life.
How to Overcome Theologicophobia
This may be a difficult fear to manage in a tradition therapeutic way in that it is a question of faith and belief rather than an object or something that can easily be tangibly identified. Therapy may be able to help a theologicophobe get to the place where they may be able to visit with a spiritual leader associated with the theological bent about the fear.
Avoidance is common with this phobia, but because the struggle can potentially be lifelong it may be advisable to find help to answer your questions and calm your fears.
The fear of theology is also referred to as:
- Theology fear
- Theologicophobia
