We all have fears and phobias about things big and small. They have a way of either compelling you forward or stopping you in your tracks. I want to know what your true fear is and if it motivates or stifles you.

True Fear

This isn’t about the fear you get from watching a horror movie. I’m talking about the real subconscious fear you have that affects your ability to function, your decision making, and your morals and values.

I am going to use an example that I pre-apologize for because it is a very personal and sensitive topic for people, but it is the best example that I could think of to emphasize my point. Please don’t let your opinions cloud what I am trying to get across.

I chose religion because it is an entity that shapes societies and families: from how they function based upon the tenets of the religion to disputes that lead to wars. It’s such a contradiction when the purpose is supposed to be about communion with a deity (no matter what/who you title) and one another.

The Driver

Religions have a number of necessary rituals to answer questions about the unknown, give order and purpose, and always have a “go-between” to speak for a deity. But they also allow people to believe that their participation will either offer a safe haven from their dark side, provide continued sustenance, or be the reasoning for their behaviors.

By following the rituals of a religion – from prayer to human sacrifice – they can avoid the fear of death and, in the Christian sense, look forward to a utopia which they have been unable to experience in this realm. There are those who are motivated to do good works for humankind and care for animals. On the other hand, there are those who disregard humanity and the universe and do as they see fit, but still practice the religion’s rituals because of their belief in grace.

The Road Block

The very nature of religion is that it fits the norm of different societies. Because of this, it is fallible and can alter a believer’s functioning and way of life, including what they think of as right or wrong. The same fears apply – especially their behaviors – that halt their ability to make decisions without leaning on the tenets of that religion.

Unlike a honeycomb where the worker bees and queen are all making sure that all bees are fed, humans maintain several layers of classes and races to ensure that those who have placed themselves at the top are well fed, but there is no real concern for those at the bottom.

This next paragraph is going to rile but here goes.

Community is essential for religion to exist, not necessarily for the sake of bettering the community, but for maintaining how it operates. The average underpaid worker who attends services regularly and pays dues and tithes finds it difficult to provide for family, but the “go-between” or representative of the deity sits comfortably in luxury. The average person is ostracized if a sin is committed, but the representative’s practice of the same sin (or worse) is excused. A family will disown a child that will not follow the tenets of the religion or fit into what the religion ascribes. Classes, races, and women are treated as lesser beings but alter their existence to give fealty to the representative or deity.

I ask why this is so. The only answer I can come up with is that the subconscious fear of the unknown, halting of continued sustenance, or not being accepted (no matter how slight) drives or halts their humanity.

This was only an example, but it can be applied to any facet of our existence. That base fear can make us either move forward or halt us in our tracks. What is your true fear and which is true for you – driving or braking?