Fear of the Dreadful Unknown

Ever notice that the things we do not know about or understand we have fears of? Are scared of? Like driving a car. The first time we get nervous, upset, and fear it. We get scared of the road suddenly. But once we learn how easy it is we no longer are scared of it. Or snakes. I have never understood how they can dislocate their jaw to eat, or move so fast going side to side. I still have a fear of them, but handling the two we have is helping get over it. Heights also scare me, because you never know what is at the bottom of the cliff. Once you go down by a much safer route, you relize there is nothing there to worry about. It's like people fearing lesbians or gays. They don't understand our lifestyle and don't ask, so they are scared and make things up. Like it is contagious. We sneeze and everyone runs.
So why is it that we get scared or fear these things? What is it that makes us fear these things? Just because we don't understand something why is it wrong? What drives us to need to know all? It is something that is impossible. Some things just don't have explainations. They just are. Like being gay. Or snakes. If you spend enough time just learning what you can, and try to accept that that we cannot understand, things become clearer. They are just ok and accepted or they are shunned and left behind. Or they could stick around as a fear for as long as we let them.
I have tried to conquer my fears and lack of knowledge. I can deal with heights, only because I know that I don't have to jump. I can be ok with snakes, even though they still move to quick for my comfort. I hope I can continue to at least handle the things I get scared of or fear.
Oh, and friends help out alot too.