This confusion that I mentioned, has been labeled also among the list of fears. Yet, I must add, that many of the recently contrived fears that have been added to the list are often poking fun at a particular group of people, not an actual fear. It's almost like a dare, or a 'how dare you' attitude.

It becomes like a defense, or even a coaxing ...to belittle and poke fun at the beliefs of others.

"Oh, so you are afraid!"

"I bet you are afraid because your Mommy won't let you."

Added to the list of phobias in recent years has been Homophobes ...and even more recently, Christianophobia.

I am so thankful that for whatever reason, whether for health concerns or whatever it was, that restaurants in Michigan have for a few years now disallowed smoking in restaurants.  It all happened in stages, with at one time designating smoking and non-smoking sections ...though the smoking section was often located over a short partition, with the smoke easily trailing over some decorative vegetation.

I never liked cigarette smoke ...and am thankful I didn't have allergies like some people, nor like some with severe cases of asthma.  But, I never considered it a phobia.

And in our home we are very comfortable having pots and pans, pot holders, flower pots, and even one we sit on ...but, never an inclination to smoke it.  And personally, I don't think it's healthy ...and I feel it's my prerogative to feel that way.  Again, I don't feel I have a potheadphobia.

Likewise, I kind of disagree with those who've penned the term Christianophobia.  Who would be afraid of a Christian??  If anything, people seem to feel safe to say anything they want about Christians.

Now, there are other groups of people whom most people regard unsafe to talk about ...and I don't know if it's an outright fear of personal safety, like someone stepping up and challenging a gang member.   Or it could just be a fear of not being accepted, perhaps cringing at the possibility of being laughed at.

But, with Christians, I believe there is less fear towards them than there is animosity.  Could we say those who are anti-Christian, are also anti-Christ??

A study was done ...and the results may be surprising to some. The group of people whom the study listed as having the most hostile feelings towards Christians were:

WWW ...not world-wide web, yet perhaps equally influential. 

• White
• Well-educated
• Wealthy

And when you have the wealth to attend a progressively liberal college, you can also afford to promote your ideas more massively ...or to the masses.

I was reading these demographic stats referenced from George Yancey's article on Christianophobia, and the book co-authored with David Williamson.

Yet, beyond trying to figure out who, or why they seem to have such a negative impression of Christians ...