“The only thing we have to fear is fear itself”. These words from Franklin, D. Roosevelt’s inaugural address of 1933 have become proverbial especially in times of national crises. Yet it seems as if they contradict themselves, at least on the face of it. If we are to fear, fear itself, then have we not succumbed to the very thing we opposed? To fear “fear itself” is fear.   

The only way to make sense of this “fear of fear” is to read the quote in its entirety. Roosevelt goes on to describe a form of fear that can best be describe as irrational; “nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror, which paralyzes needed effort to convert retreat into advance”. 

There are two forms of fear, rational and irrational. Rational fear is not only healthy but can save lives. It is rational to be afraid of a mother bear robbed of her cubs or sharks in the water. It is rational to be afraid of natural disasters such as floods or hurricanes. It is rational to be afraid of killer diseases. These forms of fear can keep us safe and in some cases keep us alive. Rational fears can also prompt or motivate us to perform behaviors that are life preserving.    

But it is irrational to be afraid of human beings whose skin color is different from ours, or those of a different nationality or religions. To fear Mexicans or Muslims is just plain irrational. The word, “phobia” (from the Greek god, Phobus) describes an irrational fear of foreigners. 

Irrational fears do just what Roosevelt warned us of. They paralyze our energies. But more than that they cripple our capacity to be creative and blind us to the good in others. Good and bad are qualities shared by all of humanity. They are not isolated in any one race, nationality or religion.  

Unfortunately it easy to awaken irrational fears. Many politicians and religious leaders are experts at it. Dictators and tyrants keep their subjects in a constant state of as a way to “lead” them. 

The words “fear not” or “be not afraid” are found over three hundred times in the Bible  Faith is freedom from fears of the irrational kind.  We are not born with irrational fears or phobias we are taught these fears just as we are taught how to hate. As “perfect love cast out fear”, the opposite is just as true, “perfect fear cast out love”. 

The only thing we have to fear –rationally- is irrational fear itself.  

— Reverend Ernest Mills