The belief in the biblical story of paradise as the primary creation narrative is prevalent in many Christian societies, especially in the United States, where about 38% to 40% of the population adheres to a creationist view. However, the story of the Garden of Eden is actually the second creation narrative found in the Bible, with the first being a cosmic account in Genesis chapter 1, emphasizing divine order and goodness. This account presents humanity's stewardship of creation, whereas the second account (Genesis 2-3) focuses on the intimate experiences of Adam and Eve, introducing themes of moral consciousness and the emergence of good and evil. These two narratives differ significantly in purpose: the first highlights creation's inherent harmony, while the second explores fear, temptation, and moral limitations through the symbolic tree of knowledge. In a contemporary context, the coexistence of good and evil is reflected in the human experience, aligning with scientific understanding. The Eden story serves as a psychological metaphor for confronting the complexities of reality and the human tendency to deny painful truths, revealing the deeper layers of moral awareness and the struggle with fear and uncertainty in life.

The onset of World War II was marked by clear warning signs stemming from Adolf Hitler's actions since he became Chancellor of Germany in January 1933. He systematically dismantled democratic institutions, violated the Treaty of Versailles through rearmament, and pursued aggressive foreign policies, including the remilitarization of the Rhineland, the annexation of Austria, and the absorption of Sudetenland. These actions escalated tensions in Europe and solidified his intentions for territorial expansion. Despite the documented evidence of Germany's militarization, the international community largely failed to confront Hitler's ambitions, showing a reliance on rationalizations and appeasement. In contrast, Franklin D. Roosevelt recognized the threat posed by Nazi Germany early on. While focusing on domestic recovery from the Great Depression, he condemned Nazi aggression and antisemitism, advocating for American military preparedness and international solidarity. Through fireside chats and major speeches, Roosevelt informed the American public about the dangers of Axis aggression, framing the conflict as a battle between democracy and totalitarianism. He called for unity in defense of human rights, highlighting that denial of these threats could have dire consequences, emphasizing the need for proactive engagement rather than passive observation.

Fear is a fundamental emotion that emerges in response to perceived threats, prompting physiological and psychological changes aimed at survival. However, it often acts as a cognitive filter, distorting perceptions and influencing beliefs about reality. Instead of confronting fears, individuals may engage in denial—refusing to acknowledge uncomfortable truths to avoid psychological distress. This denial transforms fear into a belief system grounded in unproven scenarios, where worst-case possibilities dominate thoughts, creating a "faith" in negative outcomes rather than evidence-based reasoning. The cycle of “fear of fear” compounds this distortion, as individuals become afraid of their own emotional reactions, leading to avoidance of not just the original threats, but also of any situations that might provoke fear. This self-reinforcing loop encourages the denial of both hypothetical and verifiable realities that invoke uncomfortable emotions. Ultimately, fear-based belief systems develop wherein perceptions are shaped more by emotionally driven assumptions than by observable truths. This can manifest in personal contexts as well as in social or political environments, where fear leads to the dismissal of facts in favor of constructed narratives that offer an illusion of safety at the expense of genuine reality.