Why People Are Afraid Of Snakes

[EvesFriend]

I do a lot of thinking, and one thing I have given some thought recently is why people fear snakes. Obviously a human may fear a snake because some are venemous. Some snakes poison when they bite, some snakes strangle you to death, and some snakes are just scary looking. But why do we feel some snakes are scary looking? Is it their "danger/warning colors"? Why do some people, especially in the American culture (that is key), have a deep rooted fear of snakes?

Without getting too philosiphical and making an essay out of this, I believe it is because religion conditions many people to fear snakes, albeit indirectly. In Christianity, Satan appears to Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden in the form of a snake. Some forms of Christianity even boast that this is how snakes lost their legs; God banished them after Satan's misdeeds in the Garden.

Yet in the old Jewish faith (I think it was Judaism), the snake was praised like a god. Some religions celebrate snakes. Some condem them. Some would argue this discretion between religions is only because as Christianity was trying to garner support, they had to compete with other religions. What better way than to condemn the gods or things that were worshipped by other religions than to say they are works of Satan? I am digressing.

I think that a lot of Christians especially have a deep rooted fear of snakes for no other reason that the fact that when they were very young, they were told stories that snakes we/are evil. They were not conditioned to fear poisonous snakes, they were conditioned to fear snakes in general because snakes=Satan. Many do not even know this to be the reason they fear snakes because they cannot understand this sort of psychology. They cannot objectify their personality and see themselves for what they are: well oiled cogs in a machine, built to believe certain things in order to act/reply in a certain way. But again, I don't want to turn this into an essay.

[musicalKeyes]

While I agree with you to a certain extent, as a Christian I've never had a fear of snakes for that reason, or for any reason. If you read the Bible (and sadly, many don't) no where does it say snakes are evil. Not in one place. I've had people tell me they are, of course, but I've brought my snakes to a Lutheran (and my old) school to show them to a pre-kindergarten class, and had nothing but interest. I think those that act that way are very few, but the whole of us is judged by their actions. Since I've only ever lived in America, I can't speak for any other country, but I do think it's unfair to bias a fear of snakes on that basis. Historically, Europe has a much deeper affiliation with Catholicism (since it was around for a lot longer, after all). Snakes are not only associated with Satan in the bible, but are also associated with wisdom, and are mentioned several other times in no way connected to evil.

I was never told as a child that snakes equaled Satan. He took the form of a snake, yes, but he wasn't actually a snake. Misinterpretation and plain old interpretation of the Bible can lead to a lot of misunderstandings. Perhaps Catholicism teaches differently, I wouldn't know, but from what I've seen and experienced, Lutheranism doesn't have that prejudice.

[EvesFriend]

While I agree with you to a certain extent, as a Christian I've never had a fear of snakes for that reason, or for any reason. If you read the Bible (and sadly, many don't) no where does it say snakes are evil. Not in one place. I've had people tell me they are, of course, but I've brought my snakes to a Lutheran (and my old) school to show them to a pre-kindergarten class, and had nothing but interest. I think those that act that way are very few, but the whole of us is judged by their actions. Since I've only ever lived in America, I can't speak for any other country, but I do think it's unfair to bias a fear of snakes on that basis. Historically, Europe has a much deeper affiliation with Catholicism (since it was around for a lot longer, after all). Snakes are not only associated with Satan in the bible, but are also associated with wisdom, and are mentioned several other times in no way connected to evil.

I was never told as a child that snakes equaled Satan. He took the form of a snake, yes, but he wasn't actually a snake. Misinterpretation and plain old interpretation of the Bible can lead to a lot of misunderstandings. Perhaps Catholicism teaches differently, I wouldn't know, but from what I've seen and experienced, Lutheranism doesn't have that prejudice.

I should have stated that my original post in no way applies to everyone. I will reply to the entirety of your response tomorrow.

[blackcrystal22]

Why are people afraid of anything?
Usually, the answer is quite simple.

Because they are different.

[musicalKeyes]

I should have stated that my original post in no way applies to everyone. I will reply to the entirety of your response tomorrow.

Okay? I wasn't saying anything about everyone, just my experiences...

[EvesFriend]

Okay? I wasn't saying anything about everyone, just my experiences...

I know, I wasn't clarifying for you, I was clarifying for me. I should have originally stated that.

[musicalKeyes]

Why are people afraid of anything?
Usually, the answer is quite simple.

Because they are different.

Definitely. Give them a bit of fur and some cute fluffy ears, and problem solved.

[mr. s]

So then the assumption would support the idea that if Satan came to Adam and Eve as a duck then we would fear ducks?
I would say that media has a MUCH stronger influence than religion on fears in general. I believe it a common misconception that it is religiously based, although I think it most likely impossible to prove conclusively. Are the most religious christians the most afraid of snakes then? I would think not. When movies or tv shows depict snakes, what are they using snakes for? Killing people and attacking cute animals perhaps? Why don't we see snakes playing with the animals in bambee? Same reason that Peter's enemy was a wolf. They hunt other animals and KILL!!! OH NO!!!! We fear their quick movement and know that some are venomous, but which ones?! Also, everyone knows some story of someone getting bit by a venomous snake, even if it is just from the news. That is scary stuff.
As far as international, I was in africa for some time, and have several close african friends, (like grew up in africa), and I have found them deathly afraid of snakes. I think that is what they were taught as children because there are lots of dangerous ones but (depending on the area), not as good education on safety etc. Also, antivenom is not exactly on the grocery list over there.
Ok, that is all. Just some thoughts.

[bsd13]

I do a lot of thinking, and one thing I have given some thought recently is why people fear snakes. Obviously a human may fear a snake because some are venemous. Some snakes poison when they bite, some snakes strangle you to death, and some snakes are just scary looking. But why do we feel some snakes are scary looking? Is it their "danger/warning colors"? Why do some people, especially in the American culture (that is key), have a deep rooted fear of snakes?

Without getting too philosiphical and making an essay out of this, I believe it is because religion conditions many people to fear snakes, albeit indirectly. In Christianity, Satan appears to Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden in the form of a snake. Some forms of Christianity even boast that this is how snakes lost their legs; God banished them after Satan's misdeeds in the Garden.

Yet in the old Jewish faith (I think it was Judaism), the snake was praised like a god. Some religions celebrate snakes. Some condem them. Some would argue this discretion between religions is only because as Christianity was trying to garner support, they had to compete with other religions. What better way than to condemn the gods or things that were worshipped by other religions than to say they are works of Satan? I am digressing.

I think that a lot of Christians especially have a deep rooted fear of snakes for no other reason that the fact that when they were very young, they were told stories that snakes we/are evil. They were not conditioned to fear poisonous snakes, they were conditioned to fear snakes in general because snakes=Satan. Many do not even know this to be the reason they fear snakes because they cannot understand this sort of psychology. They cannot objectify their personality and see themselves for what they are: well oiled cogs in a machine, built to believe certain things in order to act/reply in a certain way. But again, I don't want to turn this into an essay.

Typically most Christians who fear snakes fear them for the same reasons other people do. They've been misinformed their entire lives. I've not met one Christian who believed they were somehow "evil", or "demonic". I'm sure those people are out there, but most Christians understand the Genesis account of Satan's involvement was meant to paint a picture as opposed to give mankind a target to take our aggressions out on.

Instead Christians just like others believe all kinds of crazy stuff about snakes. One of my best friends is scared to death of snakes and it's because he was taught that if you touch them you'll get infected with toxins and die. When I ask him why I don't get sick and die he says because I've built up and immunity but most people don't. Whatever... I've given up trying to educate him about them.

[Inugohan]

People will always fear something, snakes are a very easy thing to fear. Just like any animal though, some one is scared of it. People are scared of mice just as much as snakes from my perspective, and they are cute cuddly and furry, but it's just something to fear, maybe because of disease, maybe because they are small and fast, who really knows. Fear is a very real emotion and can stem from just about anything. People are scared of heights, open spaces, closed spaces, some people are scared of water even! The human mind is the only reason I can give, it has so much going on you really can't pinpoint why we as humans fear anything. We just do and thats all there is too it really. The media or religion or anything really can influence our fears, but it is ultimately our choice what we fear for the mostpart, though it may be a subconcious decision that we don't know about. Fears are often pretty easily broken, I know I've met a couple people scared of snakes and managed to turn it around for the most part(a couple only like the one snake that I show to prove they aren't all bad, but I do also say that any snake can bite, so can any dog. Play with fire, and you can get burned, play with snakes and you can get bit.) in the end I really have no experience in psychology so I can't make a very good answer, but in my mind, there is no real answer. ~Caylan.S.~