10 Of The Weirdest Phobias

Ailurophobia 

Ailurophobia is an abnormal fear of cats.  Yes, maybe even cute little ones.  As Charlie Brown would say "Good grief."

 

 

Coprophobia 

Coprophobia is an abnormal fear of....well....poop.  It's from the Greek word kopros, meaning dung.  This phobia is in generous supply among urban librarians, and professors of Women's Studies.  Coprophobiacs unfortunate enough to live on a family farm often describe their lot in life as "That stinks" (pardon the pun).   Stay safe, friends!

 

Coulrophobia 

If you suffer from coulrophobia, you have a real fear of clowns.  Even the happy ones like Ronald McDonald.  Hollywood (Sodom 2.0) has perpetuated the scary clown concept lately, so this one feels understandable.

 

Anthophobia

People with anthophobia have an abnormal fear of flowers.  You don't need to tell them "Please don't pick the daisies", because they won't go within 20 feet of them (they don't like gardens either).  Unsurprisingly, Eden is not high on their list of "Places-I-wish-I-could-visit."

 

Ochlophobia

This is a common phobia—you have a fear of crowds.  Going to a sporting event or a concert or even GC Session would be a real challenge for these folks.  Agoraphobia also refers to this.

 

Cyberphobia

Cyberphobics have a great fear of computers.  They don't care much for the internet or technology in general.  If they want to get in touch, they'll mail you a letter.  Or possibly send a carrier pigeon, if they can find one.

 

Logophobia

Logophobia doesn't represent a fear of logos, and has nothing to do with Coprophobia.  Truth be told, if you have logophobia, you probably wouldn't be reading this.  It's an abnormal fear of words.

 

Astraphobia

Astraphobia is an abnormal fear of thunder and lightning.  There are probably a lot of people with a lower-level version of this fear.  After all, who enjoys having their house rattled by a big blast of thunder and the accompanying flash of lightning (besides me of course)?  But hopefully you don't have to panic after it happens.  "The heavens declare the glory of God..."

 

Triskaidekaphobia

Triskaidekaphobia is the fear of the number 13, and if you don't have it, you should consider booking flights for next Friday the 13th—costs are sometimes cheaper!  Some Adventists also suffer from Hexakosioihexekontahexaphobia (fear of the number 666).  This could lead to Dreadventism, so be wise and be balanced!

 

Pyrophobia

Pyrophobia is an abnormal fear of fire.  In the context of a house fire, everyone would be frightened of fire.  This phobia references a fear that is above and beyond that.  Even a small campfire or a fireplace—a controlled situation—would pose a problem for the pyrophobic person.  As I think about it, this is an appropriate fear for those who reject Jesus (Hebrews 10:27).

 

That's quite a list of phobias, eh?  But take heart--the truth is--perfect love casts out all fear (1 John 4:18)!  This means that the more love of God that we have, the less  fears we have.  And that's good, because hanging on to earthly fears can keep us out of heaven.  It's true, see Revelation 21:8.  And ladies, you are a daughter of God (symbolized by being a "daughter of Sarah") if you "do what is right and do not give way to fear" (1 Peter 3:6).

So all fears are bad, Mr. Wagoner?  If they are carnal fears, yes.  Carnal (or temporal) fears--if cherished--end up controlling your life in negative ways.  

Is there any good fear?  There is.  There is one healthy fear that can coexist with the marvelous love of God, and I hope you have it.  Here it is:

"And he said with a loud voice, “Fear God and give him glory, because the hour of his judgment has come, and worship him who made heaven and earth, the sea and the springs of water” (Revelation 14:7).