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Theophobia – Fear of God or Religion


Fear of God Can Be Debilitating

Do you believe in God? Do you feel like his wrath will be let loose upon you at times? Do you feel a desperate need for forgiveness from God, not because of guilt but fear? If you do, then you may have theophobia.

Theophobia is the fear of God or religion. Stories such as that of Noah’s ark may make someone with theophobia continually fear for their life. Constantly fearing that God will judge you for your mistakes can be stressful if not exhausting. You may find yourself avoiding anything that has to do with God or worship.

It’s difficult to live with a fear like this day in and day out. If you’re ready to take steps to manage this phobia, first try to understand it.

Decoding Theophobia

As kids, most children are taught about a God that created us and the world around us. And although spirituality and faith may be important to many, that is not the case for everyone.

If you have theophobia, you may isolate yourself from God or anything religious. Not only would you avoid any form of spiritual activity, but you might also avoid those who practice religion.

If you have theophobia and it has begun to hinder your life, physically or even spiritually, it’s important that you take steps to overcome or at least better manage your fear.

What Causes the Fear of God Phobia?

Like all phobias, theophobia originates in your subconscious. You may start to fear God without even realizing it.

It is said that one’s upbringing plays a huge role in the development of fear. If you’re taught to be fearful of God from childhood, it is possible for that fear to escalate as you grow older. For example, some children are brought up in a strict religious environment. This can affect them one way or another as they grow up.

Sometimes, even certain traumatic events can cause an irrational fear of God. As kids, we often blame everything on God, and this can result in God being painted as someone to be feared in our minds.

For example, the death of a loved one, such as a parent, could plant a deep fear of God in the mind of a child who has experienced that.

Symptoms of Theophobia

Theophobia is an irrational fear of God. However, sometimes it isn’t a fear of God but a fear of the wrath of God. A person with theophobia may be terrified even thinking about things like “judgment day” or the concept of “hell.”

Let’s look at common symptoms experienced with theophobia.

Mental/Emotional Symptoms

  • Constant thoughts about God’s wrath or punishments
  • Avoidance of going to religious places of worship like churches and temples
  • Avoiding visiting houses with pictures or idols of worship
  • Being repelled by religious activity
  • Feeling agitated by religious encounters
  • Panicking when having an encounter with religion

Physical Symptoms

  • Panic attacks
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Increased heart rate when at church or any other religious places
  • Uncontrollable crying
  • Frequent urination
  • Trembling
  • Uneasiness

How to Overcome Theophobia

An irrational fear of God mostly affects spiritual life. However, if you feel its effect seeping into other aspects of your life, consider seeking help for the phobia. You may not be able to completely overcome your fear of God, but you will see improvement.

Self-Help: How Do You Help Yourself?

While you can seek a professional if the phobia feels too much to deal with, you can always try to help yourself first. No professional could understand your relationship with God better than you.

And remember, just because you are God-fearing doesn’t have to mean you are not God-loving. Many have trouble understanding this.

If you decide to try to overcome your fear of God, start with something as simple as breathing. Keep yourself calm, meditate, or take long, deep breaths when your fears are triggered. If you’re fearful of church bells, for example, try to remain calm by slowly counting or using positive affirmations.

Another thing you can try is talking about your fear with someone. You can choose to talk to a friend, family member, or even with a priest. Talking may help you get the weight off your shoulders that you didn’t even know existed. You can even try talking to yourself by reassuring yourself that you’re okay.

Avoid putting pressure on yourself out of fear to live a sin-free life. While it may be great to follow God’s teachings, it should be done from a place of love rather than fear. Putting yourself under stress will only make things worse for you.

Professional Help

If the above-mentioned methods don’t help and you’re still experiencing this fear, it may be time to visit a professional. There are several effective treatments available for phobias such as theophobia.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is generally the most effective with phobias. CBT may be the first treatment a mental health professional will try in order to help you overcome your fear of God. Other widely practiced methods include hypnotherapy and neuro-linguistic programming (NLP). All of these methods are helpful in reaching the root of your phobia and addressing them at the fundamental level.

In extreme cases, when it becomes too difficult for you to cope with theophobia, your doctor may prescribe anti-anxiety or antidepressant medication. These medications treat the symptoms only and should not be used without a prescription.

Learning to Cope with Theophobia

Theophobia is a fear that is often confused with atheism, but that’s not the case at all. Unlike atheism where one simply does not believe in God, someone with theophobia believes in but is afraid of God.

Deciding to try and overcome your fear is the first and often hardest step in coping with theophobia. Learning to better manage your fear of God can be a huge accomplishment. You may not be able to erase this fear completely, but having a handle on it is important.

The next time you have to go to church or attend a religious gathering, you can choose to do so because you want to or because you love God, not because you are terrified of God’s power.

While there is no easy way to overcome a phobia, all you really need to do is find the courage to take the first step.

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