Do you believe in angels?

[Monarchist]

This is just a simple poll with a simple question. Whether Muslim, Jewish, Christian, polytheistic, or otherwise, I'd love to know what you think of angels. I once met a person who believed that Heaven is a republic of angels, and there is no God, for example. Another person believed that angels are God's commanders in a literal sin war (a common Revivalist Christian belief) against Hell. Some say that angels are simply messengers of God, or act to intercede when God wishes to test people on a lower level.

I am specially interested in views of pagans like Maximilian (forgive me for mentioning your name specifically, but I don't know any others ). Do people who believe in more than one real, literal God also believe in angelic servants such as the seraphim? Nothing really convinces me that Heaven has angels like Thrones, Dominions, Powers, Virtues, Angels, Archangels, Seraphim, and Cherubim - it sounds a little too crowded and varied. The most I can subscribe to is the presence of Seraphim, Archangels, and Angels (in a descending order of "power"). Something about the stories rings true for me. What about you?

If your own holy book, scripture, text, or tradition mentions angels... I'd love to read of them!

[Helm]

They're much the same thing as fairies and unicorns to me.

[Prince of Yunderup]

What a cool poll,
Yeah I believe in angels but not to the degrees of cherib, seraphim (although I had a cat by the name) etc. but I believe in St Michael (I'm a Catholic). When my Wife was diagnosed with a deadly cancer and then after my prayers (out of desperation, for the first time since I was little kid) was given the all clear, it was a modern miracle as far as I was concerned. There was something answering my prayers, I know I'm a Catholic and should be saying it was God or an Angel but I'm just thankful that my wife is alive today. In conclusion yeah it is quite possible angels are real.
I voted yes.

[Monarchist]

What a cool poll,
Yeah I believe in angels but not to the degrees of cherib, seraphim (although I had a cat by the name) etc. but I believe in St Michael (I'm a Catholic). When my Wife was diagnosed with a deadly cancer and then after my prayers (out of desperation, for the first time since I was little kid) was given the all clear, it was a modern miracle as far as I was concerned. There was something answering my prayers, I know I'm a Catholic and should be saying it was God or an Angel but I'm just thankful that my wife is alive today. In conclusion yeah it is quite possible angels are real.
I voted yes.

God bless you and your wife! I hope you have many, many (more) happy years together.

What I love to discuss with fellow religious people is the function of angels. Naturally we mortal humans have no real business knowing what they do, but it is interesting to speculate. There is the old tradition that Gabriel brings knowledge, Michael defends, and Raphael heals. We know that St. Michael brings God's conviction via his sword to the enemies of those we pray for, and the shield defends the soul of those we pray for. We know, from the Book of Tobit (that only Catholic and Orthodox use), that St. Raphael captures a fish on the end of a line and uses its gallbladder to heal Tobias' blindness. We know, lastly, that Gabriel holds the all-illuminating lamp of the world that brings God's messages and knowledge (it was Gabriel who appeared to tell John the Baptist's father of his coming, and yet again during the Annunciation to tell Mary of Jesus' coming).

I just love the way archangels and others work within the world. What is more interesting of all is the interpretations in each Christian's mind. Jews and Muslims believe in angels too, as I have come to believe, but I've not heard much on the Islamic idea.

[Time Commander Bob]

To say whether one believes in something is a vague phrase that could mean anything depending on one's interpretation of what "believing in something is". Certainly angels are real in the sense that they have been thought of (just like any other mythological creature), but nothing has convinced me that they are empirically real. Perhaps they are merely symbolic of what man aspires to be like: noble, free and powerful.

[Monarchist]

To say whether one believes in something is a vague phrase that could mean anything depending on one's interpretation of what "believing in something is". Certainly angels are real in the sense that they have been thought of (just like any other mythological creature), but nothing has convinced me that they are empirically real. Perhaps they are merely symbolic of what man aspires to be like: noble, free and powerful.

My friend, I literally asked "do you believe angels exist?", not: "do you believe that man's construct of abstract generic noble beings with generally-good characteristics might possibly exist or does exist in our minds?" The point is to find out how many respondents actually believe in literal, incorporeal/corporeal messengers, soldiers, commanders, musicians, healers, etc. of God with wings. It is a very specific question.

That didn't quite work I was supposed to be saying to Helm no whats your point?

The point is: good > badass.

I haven't been presented with empirical evidence to suggest otherwise, so, no.

I'm so bored with the evidence trope. For all you know, the sun doesn't actually exist but is just a gigantic lightbulb erected by humanity to fool you. Every X-ray, infra-red, and heat-sensitive photo taken of the sun has just been an artist's rendition for your benefit in believing the sun is real. It's unlikely, but not impossible; there's no evidence for that star's existence, unless you're not a solipsist. Christians trust what they see and feel, and they see and feel things that you say have no 'evidence' behind them. HUMBUG, I say!

Besides, I clearly stated, in the O.P., that this thread asks A. "do you believe in angels or not?", and B. "what you think of their purpose in the mythology?" I don't want to get into an argument about their existence or non-existence, as stimulating as your conversation is.

[Helm]

Demons are angels that have gone all evil and badass.



There some awesome elements in regard to Christian mythology.

[Prince of Yunderup]

Demons are angels that have gone all evil and badass.
No whats your point?


There some awesome elements in regard to Christian mythology.

That didn't quite work I was supposed to be saying to Helm no whats your point?

[Monarchist]

This is a very protestant (non-Stained Glass, non-Icon) painting of Michael, but you cannot say that he isn't "badass":



I think he'd win against that retarded excuse for a demon.

This thread isn't about "angels vs. demons", though. We shouldn't be so light about such a serious subject. If atheists don't find it serious, they can leave.

[Strelok]

I haven't been presented with empirical evidence to suggest otherwise, so, no.

[godol shmok]

Evidence:



Angelus Novus by Klee

Some find these more convincing:

[Stavroforos]

Helm, considering I could have killed your demon two years ago, I think your point is null.

[Helm]

Ok so angels can match demons in terms of badassness but how about sex appeal?

[Leon the Shrubber]

Ok so angels can match demons in terms of badassness but how about sex appeal?

Thats just bestiality... wich is nasty.

[Fiyenyaa]

Thats just bestiality... wich is nasty.

How do you know they aren't just good friends?

[Leon the Shrubber]

How do you know they aren't just good friends?

I wouldn't like to be friends if someone looks like that.

[Helm]

I wouldn't like to be friends if someone looks like that.

I didn't think she was all that bad looking tbh.

[Horsa]

Well this website is very good for anyone interested in the Christian view of angels.
http://www.christiananswers.net/q-acb/acb-t005.html#1

I voted yes because the bible mentions them quite a lot. Also have other reasons.

[Lord Willy]

Well this website is very good for anyone interested in the Christian view of angels.
http://www.christiananswers.net/q-acb/acb-t005.html#1

I voted yes because the bible mentions them quite a lot. Also have other reasons.

Yeah

[Arch-hereticK]

I'd be more convinced of a devas like ethereal creature that deals out karmatic currency (I just made that up). To me that makes more sense than an all powerfull being who needs minions to do his bidding.