Most Common Fears: The Things That Scare Americans The Most, Including Muslims And Government Corruption

Americans are afraid of a lot of things, but nothing apparently frightens a U.S. citizen more than corrupt government officials.

A study released Tuesday by Chapman University in California showed Americans were afraid this year of many of the same things they were scared of in 2015, like robbery, the death of family members, natural disasters and crime. Of the many fears, Chapman University sociology professor Christopher Bader – who led the survey – said in a statement that economic and “big brother issues” were at still at the top of the list. However, people had more health and financial concerns in 2016.

The study of 1,511 respondents across the nation was heavily focused on Islamophobia and conspiracy theories associated with John F. Kennedy’s assassination, 9/11 and President Obama’s birth certificate. More than half of all people living in the U.S. believe the government is withholding crucial information about the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks. That makes sense, since terrorist attacks are the second biggest fear Americans have.

The study also suggested that more people in the United States are distrusting of Muslims following recent terror attacks in Orlando and San Bernardino, California. Almost half of the survey participants said they’d be uncomfortable if a mosque was built in their neighborhood and one-third of participants believed Muslims were more likely to commit acts of terrorism.

The top 10 fears Americans have are listed below:

Corrupt government officials

Terrorist attacks

Not having enough money for the future

Terrorism

Government restrictions on firearms and ammunition

People I love dying

Economic/financial collapse

Identity theft

People I love becoming seriously ill

The Affordable Health Care Act/Obamacare