Difference between revisions of "Theophobia"

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'''Theophobia''' is a fear of religion or God/gods. A portion of atheists fear God and the existence of [[hell]] plays a role in this matter (see: [[Atheism and hell]]).
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'''Theobia''' is a "morbid fear or hatred of God".<ref>[https://www.thefreedictionary.com/theophobia Theophobia], Freedictionary.com</ref> See also: [[Atheism and anxiety]]
  
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For example, the journalist and [[ex-atheists|ex-atheist]] [[Peter Hitchens]], who is the brother of the late atheist [[Christopher Hitchens]], said upon seeing an art exhibit of [[Michelangelo]]'s painting ''The Last Judgment'' he came to the realization that he might be judged which startled him.<ref>[http://vimeo.com/10354237 Interview of Peter Hitchens] - Video at Vimeo</ref> This started a train of thought within Peter Hichens that eventually led him to become a [[Christian]].<ref>[http://vimeo.com/10354237 Interview of Peter Hitchens] - Video at Vimeo</ref>
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Many communist leaders, such as [[Joseph Stalin]] and [[Mao Zedong]], oppressed all religions in their countries, and as such may have been theophobics.
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According to Common-phobias.com:
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{{Cquote|It is generally accepted that phobias arise from a combination of external events (i.e. traumatic events) and internal predispositions (i.e. heredity or genetics). Many specific phobias can be traced back to a specific triggering event, usually a traumatic experience at an early age. Social phobias and agoraphobia have more complex causes that are not entirely known at this time. It is believed that heredity, genetics, and brain chemistry combine with life-experiences to play a major role in the development of phobias.
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As with any phobia, the symptoms vary by person depending on their level of fear. The symptoms typically include extreme anxiety, dread and anything associated with panic such as shortness of breath, rapid breathing, irregular heartbeat, sweating, excessive sweating, nausea, dry mouth, nausea, inability to articulate words or sentences, dry mouth and shaking.<ref>[http://common-phobias.com/theo/phobia.htm Theophobia]</ref>}}
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Various studies found that traumatic events in people's lives has a positive correlation with "emotional atheism".<ref>[http://www.firstthings.com/web-exclusives/2011/01/when-atheists-are-angry-at-god When atheists are angry at God] by Joe Carter at FirstThings.com website</ref> See also: [[Atheism and the Problem of Evil|Atheism and the problem of evil]]
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== Atheism and hatred of God ==
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''See also:'' [[Atheism and hatred of God]]
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[[File:Ray Comfort Promo Picture.jpg|right|thumbnail|200px|The Christian evangelist [[Ray Comfort]] contends that atheists hate God because they know that He does exist.<ref>[https://www.wnd.com/2009/02/87777/ Evangelist: Atheists know they are wrong]</ref>
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Comfort declared in 2009: "Atheists don't hate fairies, leprauchans or unicorns because they don't exist. It is impossible to hate something that doesn't exist. And that makes the point."<ref>[https://www.wnd.com/2009/02/87777/ Evangelist: Atheists know they are wrong]</ref>]]
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[[CNN]] reports:
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{{cquote|People unaffiliated with organized religion, [[Atheism|atheists]] and [[Agnosticism|agnostics]] also report anger toward God either in the past, or anger focused on a hypothetical image - that is, what they imagined God might be like - said lead study author Julie Exline, Case Western Reserve University psychologist.
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In studies on college students, atheists and agnostics reported more anger at God during their lifetimes than believers.<ref>[http://thechart.blogs.cnn.com/2011/01/01/anger-at-god-common-even-among-atheists/ Anger at God common, even among atheists]</ref>}}
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In [[Atheism and debate|debates with atheists]], the popular [[Christianity|Christian]] YouTube video maker [[Shockofgod]] often asks [[Atheism|atheists]] the [[loaded question]], "Is [[God]] evil?".  Invariably, so-called atheists quickly say yes. Then Shockofgod informs the "atheists" that they admitted that God exists.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q9dKeacA3vs Atheist loses debate to theist & admits God exists]</ref> Shockofgod also declares that Christians never accuse leprechauns of being evil because they know they don't exist.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q9dKeacA3vs Atheist loses debate to theist & admits God exists]</ref> See also: [[Denials that atheists exist]] and [[Atheism and its retention rate in individuals]].
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Don Batten of [[Creation Ministries International]] wrote:
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{{cquote|Recently, I have had a lot of conversations with atheists. Many express a strong hatred of God. I have been at a loss to explain this. How can you hate someone you don’t believe in? Why the hostility? If God does not exist, shouldn’t atheists just relax and seek a good time before they become plant food? Why should it matter if people believe in God? Nothing matters if atheism is true<ref>[https://creation.com/atheist-god-hate Atheists hate God]</ref>}}
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== New Atheists and accusations of Islamophobia ==
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The [[New Atheism|New Atheists]] [[Richard Dawkins]], [[Sam Harris]] and the late [[Christopher Hitchens]] have received multiple accusations of engaging in [[Islamophobia|Islamophobic]] behavior.<ref>
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*[https://www.salon.com/2013/03/30/dawkins_harris_hitchens_new_atheists_flirt_with_islamophobia/ Dawkins, Harris, Hitchens: New Atheists flirt with Islamophobia] by Nathan Lean, ''Salon'', March 30, 2013
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*[https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/apr/03/sam-harris-muslim-animus Sam Harris, the New Atheists, and anti-Muslim animus] by Glenn Greenwald, ''The Guardian'', April 3, 2013</ref> On the other hand, defenders of atheist criticisms of [[Islam]]/Muslims indicated that New Atheists should be able to criticize Islam without being accused of Islamophobia.<ref>[http://www.newstatesman.com/religion/2013/04/new-atheism-should-be-able-criticise-islam-without-being-accused-islamophobia New Atheism should be able to criticise Islam without being accused of Islamophobia] by Andrew Zak Williams, ''New Statesman'', Published 19 April 2013</ref>
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== See also ==
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*[[Pascal's wager]]
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*[[Atheophobia]] (fear of atheism/atheists)
  
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For more information, please see: [[Atheism and hell]].
 
 
==References==
 
==References==
 
<references/>
 
<references/>
  
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[[Category: Psychology]]
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[[Category:Psychology]]
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[[Category:Theism]]

Latest revision as of 02:30, November 2, 2019

Theobia is a "morbid fear or hatred of God".[1] See also: Atheism and anxiety

Many communist leaders, such as Joseph Stalin and Mao Zedong, oppressed all religions in their countries, and as such may have been theophobics.

According to Common-phobias.com:

“ It is generally accepted that phobias arise from a combination of external events (i.e. traumatic events) and internal predispositions (i.e. heredity or genetics). Many specific phobias can be traced back to a specific triggering event, usually a traumatic experience at an early age. Social phobias and agoraphobia have more complex causes that are not entirely known at this time. It is believed that heredity, genetics, and brain chemistry combine with life-experiences to play a major role in the development of phobias.

As with any phobia, the symptoms vary by person depending on their level of fear. The symptoms typically include extreme anxiety, dread and anything associated with panic such as shortness of breath, rapid breathing, irregular heartbeat, sweating, excessive sweating, nausea, dry mouth, nausea, inability to articulate words or sentences, dry mouth and shaking.[2]

”

Various studies found that traumatic events in people's lives has a positive correlation with "emotional atheism".[3] See also: Atheism and the problem of evil

Atheism and hatred of God

See also: Atheism and hatred of God

The Christian evangelist Ray Comfort contends that atheists hate God because they know that He does exist.[4]

Comfort declared in 2009: "Atheists don't hate fairies, leprauchans or unicorns because they don't exist. It is impossible to hate something that doesn't exist. And that makes the point."[5]

CNN reports:

“ People unaffiliated with organized religion, atheists and agnostics also report anger toward God either in the past, or anger focused on a hypothetical image - that is, what they imagined God might be like - said lead study author Julie Exline, Case Western Reserve University psychologist.

In studies on college students, atheists and agnostics reported more anger at God during their lifetimes than believers.[6]

”

In debates with atheists, the popular Christian YouTube video maker Shockofgod often asks atheists the loaded question, "Is God evil?". Invariably, so-called atheists quickly say yes. Then Shockofgod informs the "atheists" that they admitted that God exists.[7] Shockofgod also declares that Christians never accuse leprechauns of being evil because they know they don't exist.[8] See also: Denials that atheists exist and Atheism and its retention rate in individuals.

Don Batten of Creation Ministries International wrote:

“ Recently, I have had a lot of conversations with atheists. Many express a strong hatred of God. I have been at a loss to explain this. How can you hate someone you don’t believe in? Why the hostility? If God does not exist, shouldn’t atheists just relax and seek a good time before they become plant food? Why should it matter if people believe in God? Nothing matters if atheism is true[9] ”

New Atheists and accusations of Islamophobia

The New Atheists Richard Dawkins, Sam Harris and the late Christopher Hitchens have received multiple accusations of engaging in Islamophobic behavior.[10] On the other hand, defenders of atheist criticisms of Islam/Muslims indicated that New Atheists should be able to criticize Islam without being accused of Islamophobia.[11]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Theophobia, Freedictionary.com
  2. ↑ Theophobia
  3. ↑ When atheists are angry at God by Joe Carter at FirstThings.com website
  4. ↑ Evangelist: Atheists know they are wrong
  5. ↑ Evangelist: Atheists know they are wrong
  6. ↑ Anger at God common, even among atheists
  7. ↑ Atheist loses debate to theist & admits God exists
  8. ↑ Atheist loses debate to theist & admits God exists
  9. ↑ Atheists hate God
  10. ↑
  11. ↑ New Atheism should be able to criticise Islam without being accused of Islamophobia by Andrew Zak Williams, New Statesman, Published 19 April 2013
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