The unknown causes fear that manifests itself in many ways.
Fear as phobia is an artistic device often used in the 20th century.
The German film director, Fasbinder called two of his films Fear of Fear and Fear Eats the Soul.
Both amazing films as are almost all of his works.
But the violent response to fear, as exemplified in homophobia bigotry racism etc., remains with us and I guess always will.
It seems logical to assume that fear of the unknown is the foundation of almost all western religions.
And history has shown that religion can be either beatific or brutal.