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True Phobias Vs. False Phobias

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True Phobias Vs. False Phobias

By: A Concerned Catholic Observer

Reminder: While we must hate sin, we must simultaneously love sinners. Do not inflict or wish harm on anyone.

You can't get around it. Everywhere you hear about contemporary "phobias", such as "homophobia", "transphobia", "Islamophobia" (as it relates to Islamic terrorism, which has "always" been a characteristic of this particular false religion), and such. Are these genuine maladies? Is the populace authentically becoming phobic?

I begin by disclosing the fact that I have direct personal knowledge of an actual phobia sufferer who is afflicted by a "traditional" phobia. So I speak with some "authority", if you will, concerning actual, real phobias.

Next, I think it essential to define what a phobia is so that we can ascertain a true phobia from a false phobia, or "counterfeit phobia", and so that we may subsequently move forward with the discussion.

According to Wikipedia, ^*

"A phobia is a type of anxiety disorder defined by a persistent and excessive fear of an object or situation. Phobias typically result in a rapid onset of fear and are present for more than six months. Those affected will go to great lengths to avoid the situation or object, to a degree greater than the actual danger posed. If the object or situation cannot be avoided, they experience significant distress."

And another definition of phobia, this one from the Merriam Webster website,

"[A]n exaggerated usually inexplicable and illogical fear of a particular object, class of objects, or situation"

Symptoms of true phobias include fainting, shortness of breath, trembling, and panic attacks. It is characteristic of phobia sufferers to actively avoid the object of their phobias. As a health-related site rightly notes, phobias are different from "regular fears" because they cause "significant distress" and may interfere with life at home, work, or school.

It is useful at this point to recognize the word "phobia" having roots in Latin and Greek. According to Wikipedia, "The word phobia comes from the Greek: φόβος (phóbos)", and the term may mean "fear" or "morbid fear". Under "History and Etymology" for the word "phobia", the Merriam Webster website notes,

"New Latin, from Late Latin, from Greek, from -phobos fearing, from phobos fear, flight, from phebesthai to flee..."

It should be evident that authentic fear is a necessary ingredient in a true phobia. It should likewise be clear that contemporary "phobias" mentioned at the beginning of this article fail to meet the criteria of a true phobia. By definition, how can there be a "fear free" phobia? If there was such a thing, it would not be a phobia at all!

So why is the term "phobia" employed for these "counterfeit phobias"? And is it dangerous to use the term "phobia" to describe false phobias?

While it might at first be thought innocent or harmless to apply the term "phobia" to artificial maladies, something more dangerous and sinister might also be detected in the case of contemporary "phobias". I argue that today's "phobia" terminology is simply an attempt to castigate, bully and manipulate people. Every adult knows that language is powerful, and labeling righteous repugnance towards immoral behaviors as "phobias" can influence both thoughts and behavior. Further, I would go so far as to say that mislabeling today's inauthentic maladies as "phobias" can bring about deeply harmful effects to body, mind and soul. Plus it is an insult to God to castigate His faithful followers who rightly oppose what He opposes. Catholics must be on guard against the perils of this dangerous anti-Catholic practice.

We know our enemy, Satan, will employ all manner of lies & deception against us, so this is just one more of his many tricks. Yet Catholics must stand for truth. A worthy moral judgment that another person disagrees with is not the same as an anxiety disorder! Holding fast to a religious principle - a truth from God - does not make you the victim of a mental problem! Rather, it is required of faithful Catholics! New Testament Scripture specifically calls us to "hate what is evil" (see St. Paul's letter to the Romans, 12:9). Being against immoral behavior (the behavior, not the persons) is our duty, it is not something to be considered a "phobia". Being morally opposed to sin does not constitute excessive or extreme, irrational or illogical fear, such as a phobic might suffer from a disabling fear of dogs, heights, or flying. Rather this opposition to sin is absolutely necessary for the good of Catholics and others.

Turning truth around makes a mockery of it, just as Satan wants. To label virtuous opposition to sin a "phobia", is at best a misuse of the term phobia, and at worst a tool of the devil. And, as mentioned previously, it is not without the potential for great harm to body, mind and soul. For example, an allegation of "homophobia" by an anti-Catholic (or misled "Catholic") against a Catholic father can cause tremendous harm to mind & body as the man could get fired from his job in our "cancel culture" society, or it might put his very life at risk. His reputation may be at stake as well. And surely the persecution & harm the man faces will cause stress, and it may ultimately injure his family. As for the soul, persons afraid of being labeled "phobic" may "throw off their "phobia" (e.g. become accepting of immoral actions). As a result, they fail in their duty to hate the evil of sin, cause scandal, and may ultimately be counted as an "accomplice" to others' sins (let me remind you that Church teachings inform us that we can be an accessory to others' sins by silence).

Undoubtedly labeling persons "phobic" is a powerful way to instantly dismiss people with the "wrong viewpoints" and make it as though the problem resided on their end. Healthy people don't want to have phobias! It is a potent deflection that takes the focus off the person with the actual problem. And it is dangerous.

Ultimately those with modern "false phobias" like those listed above don't "suffer" directly from having their supposed phobia anymore than someone suffers because they believe 2+2=4. Holding on to truth does not make for a phobia! Being morally opposed to something that offends the God of truth is not a phobia! And being against something is different than being fearful of it. Catholics rightly shun these things (meaning shun these sins), not have phobias of them! Calling us "phobics" is simply a way to label us so we can be written off. In reality, all good Catholics should desire to hold on to certain counterfeit "phobias" of today (within the proper bounds of course), if it means they are rejecting sinful behaviors (not the people, but the behaviors). But good Catholics should NOT embrace the "phobic" label.

If you don't suffer from a genuine phobia, why let others characterize you as phobic? Name-calling may be used to disarm you, insult you, and write you off instead of turning the focus where it belongs (e.g. on the party committing the sin), so why allow the charge to go uncontested? If someone falsely pronounces you phobic, why not call them on it (assuming it's safe)? Wouldn't you dispute it if you were falsely charged with something else that was untrue? Maybe respond that you don't fear or panic, rather you are morally opposed to someone's chosen behavior because it is against God's laws. Maybe educate the person on the etymological roots of the word "phobia". Maybe take a moment to instruct them regarding principled objection vs. irrational fear, "anti" vs. "phobic". Being "anti" something doesn't automatically make you "phobic" (otherwise choosing a favorite sports team in a sporting match makes you "phobic" of the other sports team!). Maybe inform them that to be against sins is required of good Catholics, not some malady to be overcome. Perhaps mention that opposition to evil acts is a conscious decision, not a mental disorder. If it is safe, perhaps you might bravely admonish them that you will not be shamed into accepting evil behavior that offends God. Perhaps you could tell them about true phobias and recommend they stop misusing the term "phobia" to silence dissent? Perhaps you could ask how they would like their worthy moral judgments being written off as anxiety disorders? Ask them if it is fair for someone behaving immorally to shift blame onto someone else as if the other person had a mental disorder? Maybe remind that it is the other party that has the problem, not you? Perhaps you might candidly ask if they are labeling you to try to make you feel bad about having moral standards so that they can simply write you off? Perhaps ask if they deny that God expressly forbids sin? If not, how can it be pretended that those who rightly condemn such sins are the ones with the problem? In fact, how is it that the ones who condemn sin for the good of other persons' souls are purportedly afflicted with a mental problem by doing so? Don't forget that Holy Scripture repeatedly instructs us to admonish the sinner (for example, see Colossians 3:16 and Romans 15:14).

People with contemporary false "phobias" are opposed to things not sanctioned by God, and only the most daring and wicked would charge the all-holy and ever-blessed God with being "phobic" for opposing sin.

So please stop using the term "phobia" for things are not true phobias! Examining the situation honestly rather than slapping labels on people better reflects truth and will rightly place the onus on the party engaged in immoral actions to consider the effects of their sins instead of mischaracterizing innocent people's mental health. False phobias are problems that others have, so do not use the term "phobia" to put the blame onto someone else.

As Catholics who follow a religion of love, we don't ever wish harm on anyone. But condoning sinful behavior is the real harm, not being opposed to sin! Truth cannot be made victim in the name of "charity"! For such would not be charity at all!

Lastly, for those not as familiar with phobias as I am, I shall close with potentially enlightening information about them. Although phobias can be pretty severe and serious, their intensity, characteristics, etc. may vary. I think it's extremely safe to say that if you have a true phobia, you certainly know you have it. I can't imagine it being otherwise! For those less familiar with true phobias, the following are some "fairly common" characteristics of phobias along with differences between true and false phobias which may be used to help distinguish between the two. And taken generally, perhaps some characteristics might help illustrate why anti-Catholic forces may want good Catholics labeled and written off as "phobic".

~ God bless you! ~

True vs. false phobias: How can one rationally identify a true vs. a false phobia? Maybe this will help... ^** [Note: For easier reading, we have inserted the following into a table.]

Signature: A Concerned Catholic Observer

* Reminder: We do not endorse any website.

** Note: Author is not intending to give medical advice. For medical advice, consult a good doctor.

*** Reminder: Homosexual actions are sinful, but an inclination to homosexuality that is not desired or acted upon is not sinful. Furthermore, all sin can be forgiven for those truly repentant. As noted above, while we must hate sin, we must simultaneously love sinners. Do not engage in unjust discrimination, inflict or wish harm on any person. Rather pray that all persons live in accordance with God's holy laws.

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