I’m convinced that some people have a part or parts inside them that are fearfully, willfully ignorant and prefer to stay that way rather than allow new information to change their overall perspective. It’s like they’re predominately stuck somewhere in a stage/phase of child development, having never successfully completed it. I think this has always been the case for whole segments of humanity. For those of us who are not so rigidly ruled by ignorant, afraid parts– and all or the vast majority of people have them in their psyches– it’s left to us to save both ourselves and those more stuck people from such harmful actions that arise from desperately holding onto so much fear and ignorance. No pridefulness or arrogance is meant here. Rather, a combination of being humble, compassionate, and mindfully aware is in order. Those who strive imperfectly but sincerely to live this way naturally lead others by example into creating a healthier world for all. And I’m so grateful for the many who lead by such wonderful example.
On Fear and Ignorance
Published by The Practical, Fanciful Pagan
I'm gay, married, Pagan, and Progressive-minded from California, raised by hippie intellectuals. I relocated to Massachusetts for graduate school and never moved back to the Left Coast. My day job is that of psychotherapist in private practice, a profession I love with all my heart and a dream fully realized that I'd had since fifteen years of age. These are my rantings, reviews, and reflections. If nothing else, I hope you find something worth reading here and leave the rest. View all posts by The Practical, Fanciful Pagan
Published
The Practical, Fanciful Pagan 
I am going to have to think about this one a bit. I understand holding on to fear and being afraid to face whatever you are afraid of. I can’t understand why anyone would want to hold on to ignorance unless it is a sort of denial of being ignorant in the first place. Or possibly, their mind or heart is not open enough to consider new ideas. I suppose religious fanatics could be guilty of this and many political leaders that have rigid ideas or people who are set in their ways even when those ways do not benefit anyone including themselves. What a conversation starter this is!
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Your insight that some people may hold on to ignorance because “it is a sort of denial of being ignorant in the first place” is dead-on. Kinda like little kids sticking their fingers in their ears and shouting lalalalala to avoid hearing something that is being said to them. Sometimes we don’t know what we don’t know. Sometimes we know what we don’t know. And sometimes we don’t want to know what we know. How’s that for some braintwisting?
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It is indeed religious fanatics and many politicians I especially had in mind when I wrote this post.
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Yes, I think arguing, opinionating, and being angry and resentful against people who act from fear and ignorace gets nobody anywhere. You’re right that awareness, humility, and compassion are the healthiest ways to interact. We can learn from others–even those who we would prefer not to–if we interact with compassion. And maybe they, in turn, can learn from us.
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Yes! There is always opportunity to learn something(s) from others, should we be open to doing so, and they from us.
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