Where do you think this common misconception/belief comes from?

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Karen1996

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Why do so many people have this wrong idea that when people die they become angels? Is it all because the movies? Or did the movies pick it up from people who were misinformed?

The reason I ask is because a local radio station’s morning crew had a week long on-going question where callers and emailers would bring stories or answer the question: Do they believe children could see angels? Anyway alot of the callers were people who said their kids saw passed-on relatives with wings and such.

Also, it was quite irritating that they also believed that children only, could see angels. I emailed them and told them that anyone could see angels, if God chose so. Of course, they did not read my email on the air.
 
Karen1996 said:
Why do so many people have this wrong idea that when people die they become angels? Is it all because the movies? Or did the movies pick it up from people who were misinformed?
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Hollywood and TV would be my vote. Of course, part of the problem is not making it clear that “Angels” are SPIRITS, who were never in a solid body in the first place…and the word “Angel” describes their function, which is “messenger”:angel1:
 
Dear Karen,

It sounds like another one of those “New Age” ideas.
 
My cousin’s are about four and two and my aunt says they come up to her about once every two months and say “Oh, mommy, I saw Aunt Denise (who died from cancer) in the hallway.”, or “I saw Aunt Denise by my bed last night.”, ect. It’s not just one of them either its both of them, and seeing how they’re a little young to conspire or cook up lies together, I’d say they see her. That would be interestin to ask them if Aunt Denise has wings when they see her! (They’d probably say no)
 
Actually, when I hear this I never take it that it is ‘believed’. More like a light-hearted expression. Just as those who might draw a picture of Satan don’t really believe he has a pitchfork. I had a dear friend who was a serious and informed RC and prior to her death used to say " . . . .and when I get my angel wings. . . ".
 
Karen1996 said:
Why do so many people have this wrong idea that when people die they become angels? Is it all because the movies? Or did the movies pick it up from people who were misinformed?
Click to expand...
Don’t forget, every time a bell rings an angel gets his wings! :eek:

It’s kind of funny that Hollywood feels that a subject as fascinating as angels needs to be fictionalized in cartoony ways. I think it is because the thought of real angels is a little scary. They have the power to guard, protect and avenge but Satan was an angel and all those gifts made his fall all the greater.
 
Ummm … Matthew 22:30, people.

Remember Jesus being questioned about the woman who married seven brothers, and whose wife she would be in the afterlife? His response was ‘at the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like the angels …’ :yup: :angel1:
 
The other day I dropped my son off at preschool (a Catholic preschool) and as I was leaving noticed he was having an intense discussion in the sand box with another boy. I was a little concerned because my son has a tendency to be a little bit of a bully, so I walked over to see what was going on, and they were having a serious discussion about angels and whether or not you can see them. I have no idea what prompted it, but it was a nice surprise to overhear such a conversation.
 
Polish said:
Dear Karen,

It sounds like another one of those “New Age” ideas.
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This misconception definitely predates the “New Age”. I believe Hollywood has had a hand (see the quote from “It’s a Wonderful Life”, upthread). Another possible reason – maybe kids aren’t being taught enough about saints?
 
It’s A Wonderful Life
I worked with a fundie once who believed (and preached to everyone within earshot) that she would be raptured up and be given her wings by Jesus.
Okay…whatever…
 
I think it is because angels are spirit beings (without bodies) and so are saints in heaven until they are reunited with their bodies at the Second Coming. Nobody knows if angels have wings but Sacred Art presents them with wings so that we can understand their capacity to transcend Heaven and Earth when on a mission from God.

Regarding the point about only children can “see” angels is related to the belief that sin separates us from God and children (by their lack of sin are in a state of grace) are less removed or “perverted” by what they have learned on earth and thus more able to see/grasp the supernatural.
 
Karen1996 said:
Why do so many people have this wrong idea that when people die they become angels? Is it all because the movies? Or did the movies pick it up from people who were misinformed?

The reason I ask is because a local radio station’s morning crew had a week long on-going question where callers and emailers would bring stories or answer the question: Do they believe children could see angels? Anyway alot of the callers were people who said their kids saw passed-on relatives with wings and such.

Also, it was quite irritating that they also believed that children only, could see angels. I emailed them and told them that anyone could see angels, if God chose so. Of course, they did not read my email on the air.
Click to expand...
I think the confusion may partially come from Jesus saying in the Holy Gospel (according to Matthew (?)) that in the next world people neither marry nor are given in marriage but are like angels.
 
It’s the effects of residual birth control hormones in the water table… :whacky:

😛
 
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