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Angels as we think we know them do not exist. If you think angels are little cherubic flower-hopping fairies that go around holding up ribbons over women's' genitalia, you will be greatly disappointed. If you think angels are dead people, you will also be very disappointed. If you think angels are guardian spirits assigned to protect you, you will be sadly disappointed.

What Are Angels?

Angels is the name we often give to happy coincidences in bizarre situations. If we somehow survive a catastrophe, we tend to call it a miracle and say, "Our angels were working overtime." If the angels were so benevolent, you would never have gotten into the bad situation in the first place. But somehow, we prefer to think of the Universe ad benevolent rather than indifferent. Perhaps the very idea of angels helps cope with a crazy world.

Angels are also an archetype as the messenger between the spirit world and the solid world. They are creatures without wills of their own. They merely are puppets of whatever pulls the strings. Our belief systems are the puppet masters of these angels. If we believe that there is an invisible guardian protecting us, then we will see evidence of this, whether the angels exist in "reality" or not.

If the angels are watching us, that is all they do. Watch.

They do not physically intervene in our affairs. Although there have been some incredible stories about guardian angels and miraculous rescues, they are only stories. There has never been proof of any angelic intervention that everyone can agree on as proof.

Angles In History

In the first known references to angels in Judaism, they were very frightening beings. They were stern, wielded swords of flame and brought death just as easily as they brought life. Thousands of years ago, an angel was something you definitely did not want to meet.

It is thought that the public perception of angels changed after the creation of the god Eros or Cupid, which has been depicted in a lot of artwork. The paintings of cherubs by Raphael and his contemporaries also helped to make people think angels were innocent, benevolent and cute.

The Idea of Angels

There have been many great and beautiful ideas and acts founded on the belief in angels, or in lending a hand to people and animals in desperate situations. You could look at the great Renaissance paintings of angels and feel joy. Oprah Winfrey called one of her charities The Angel Network, which was given a four star rating by Charity Network (an independent charity watchdog).

Are angels real or imaginary? The answer to that, ultimately, is irrelevant. The question you should be asking yourself is - how do I react to the idea of angels? Angels are messengers of our puppet masters (our belief systems). Perhaps they are the things which make us question or reaffirm our beliefs in their puppet masters.

Learn more about this author, Rena Sherwood.
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