Are Angel Beliefs Changing?
When people go through trying times, it seems their belief in benevolent spirits becomes more important. People believe in angels. They believe in spirit guides, and they believe in help from the ethereal realms. Trials of life only bring to the surface such beliefs, providing comfort and solace.
Nearly 70 percent of Americans and 40% of Britain think that angels exist. Is it a resurgence of angelic beliefs or more of a remembrance of what has already been known deep inside of us? Religion has had its take on angels, influencing many of society's beliefs regarding enlightened spirits. However, as people dig further into angels and spirits, it seems those beliefs are morphing, changing from the traditional good versus evil angelic struggles.
For many, angels have become unseen visitors who simply watch over our lives and assist when called upon. They mark special occasions and work to guide us through important life-lessons. The days of God and his angels battling the Devil and his minions up somewhere in the sky seems to be waning. One by one, people aren't buying into superstition any longer. This would lead one to believe that perhaps our beliefs in angels have moved beyond being something literal to a more allegorical interpretation. Could angels, spirits in general, also be interpreted as the thoughts that lift us to the heavens during times of elation, and at times, the painful feelings and thoughts that drag us to the depths of despair? This idea could actually answer some of the Bible's fearful stories about heaven, hell, and the angelic. Maybe, our beliefs need understanding.
Today, books, the Internet, and other media are influencing beliefs in angels, many of which are bringing more of a human aspect to the Divine. They're teaching us that spirits who interact with us are likely human in nature and eternally connected, an inseparable part of humanity. In fact, some have come to believe that spirits, angels included, are nothing more than human beings that are simply disembodied and more enlightened. Such a take on the angelic and the Divine makes the whole idea of heavenly spirits much more approachable. We can identify with them much easier.
Still, beliefs in angels have a common line drawn in the sand that has not yet gone away. Maybe, it isn't supposed to. This line is a careful distinction made by believers between earth angels and heavenly angels emanating from a divine entity – God, if you will. Earth angels are often described as appearing as everyday people who help us through daily events. Some are thought to be deceased relatives, while others are friendly passers-by. Heavenly angels are believed to have more power and bring about our safety or even our prosperity.
With beliefs in angels still come some fearful interpretations, too. Some are described as bat-like, bony, and frightening. Descriptions of these types of spirits seem to be more of an interpretation from a fearing mind and not something concrete. Much of these descriptions could have roots in old religious beliefs. The more we move beyond fear, the more we find a world that makes more sense and is peaceful. Can frightening, evil-looking angels or spirits ever have a place in a world of love? That is the question many seek. Deep down there is something within humanity that is peaceful, loving, and all-knowing. This “guide,” if you will, seems to debunk and essentially override all fearful interpretations that originate from between our ears. Could the only devils we need to worry about actually be our false thoughts that we need to yet overcome?
As people become more open to spirituality, finding the deeper place within their midst, it is likely that interpretations of spirits continue to change from something fearful to something more beautiful and approachable. Connections with spirits will seem natural and healing. As organized religion struggles to find relevancy in the light of change, beliefs in angels, spirits, and ghosts will continue to evolve in the process. Part of the struggles faced by religious leaders is that people deep-down want to move away from fear and control. Religion's teachings must, therefore, become more relevant to what we hear inside of us. We desire truth and peace. Beliefs have a way of progressing to either being dispelled or becoming the forerunner of knowing. Eventually, mankind will choose truth about angels, spirits, and the afterlife over false superstitions and fears.