Post by JoannaL on Aug 6, 2023 12:10:49 GMT -5
70 Percent of Adult Americans Believe in Angels
According to a recent poll, close to 70 percent of adult Americans believe in angels, many more than believe in the devil or hell. “I think people want to believe that the universe is friendly and benevolent toward them,” George Mason, 66, senior pastor emeritus at Wilshire Baptist Church in Dallas, said. “Angels are consistent with the character of a loving God. They are present in our lives in order to communicate that, whether through messages of grace and encouragement somehow received intuitively in human spirit or through human beings.
“I think some people think of creation as being only this visible world that we have,” he continued, “but in the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth – and heaven is the invisible realm of creation. It’s where God and the angels and those who are departed, who live with God and the angels, continue to exist.”
The world-view of angels can be attributed to various religious, psychological, socio-cultural and historical factors, wrote Dylan Potter, PhD, in his book, Angelology. “The belief in angels is deeply rooted in religious and spiritual traditions and their significance can differ across different cultures and belief systems,” he explained. “The belief in angels can provide psychological comfort and reassurance, especially in times of distress, grief or uncertainty. One sees this in the biblical text quite frequently, where a notable individual is perplexed or in danger, and an angel comes to comfort them, often with the message to ‘fear not.’”
At least two-thirds of angel-believers also indicated a belief in heaven, the power of prayer and that some things just can’t be explained by science or nature.
Nonetheless, 33 percent of those who believe in angels do not claim to follow any sort of religion, with 2 percent saying they were atheists and 25 percent identifying as agnostic.
“The concept of benevolent celestial beings watching over individuals may offer a sense of support and protection because angels do not appear to be tied to any religious or moral obligation,” Potter added. “They may be perceived as guides who provide a sense of control or help when dealing with life’s challenges.”
Sources: Gretchen Eichenberg, Fox News, August 6, 2023, and AP-NORC.
