Why do people think they will become Angels?

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Devekut

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Humans do not become Angels when they die…how did this conception start?
 
I am not familiar with this concept. Is it prevalent?

Peace
 
Apparently I am unable to edit autocorrects error. I meant to say “misconception”.

Anyway…it isn’t uncommon to hear someone say “God needed another angel in heaven” or “s/he is your guardian angel now”.
 
Tv or American pop culture in general, which has probably been compounded by our increasing religious ignorance.
 
In my experience it comes from well meaning adults who are at a loss how to properly discuss death with children or anyone, really.
They think it makes death less scary.
You’d be amazed at how many people can’t function when someone dies, and tell these tales in a misguided effort to “console” others.
 
Without researching the origins more in depth, I cannot really say.

My educated guess is that it may be connected to Descartes and his dualistic philosophy which draws a division between mind and body. If we are just “ghosts in a machine”, then when the “machine” stops working and the “ghost” flies away, all that is left seems a lot like an angel. If our bodies are incidental to who we are, then we are basically angels trapped in matter for a time.

It’s an interesting question, though. It would make a good subject for a dissertation. 🙂
 
Now I’ve got “There’s One More Angel in Heaven” from “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” stuck in my head. Thanks a lot Andrew Lloyd Weber! 😛
 
Devekut said:
Humans do not become Angels when they die…how did this conception start?
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How? Well, how about why? My hunch is that it is laziness…more people watch cartoons, and too few read scripture or theology.
 
It is a way that protestants have moved the discussion away from using the word “saints”
 
I always felt that this new addition to theology was heavily influenced by Protestantism. Ever see some of those rapture drawings? People taking off butt naked with wings…
 
pianistclare said:
Funny. I’ve only ever heard Catholics say it.
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I have heard many Catholics say it. But I think it comes as a product of our culture. Sadly we are products of our culture. I think the English terminology angel has protestant leanings many times. Just a glance at country music songs or even contemporary Christian songs and “angel” means a dead person… Not St Michael or a guardian angel, not cherubim or seraphim and the like.

It seems to be a terminology that moves away from saints and angels as Catholic theology. That Catholics have been touched by this language is no surprise.
 
Catholics should have a good working knowledge of their faith, and not be concerned with what others advance, there’s no excuse for that.
Even cradle Catholics can remember that Sister whomever never ever told us that we turned into angels. Humans are a distinct species. No amount of flowery thinking changes that fact. We can blame others all we want, but it’s our lack of good catechesis that drives this notion.
 
pianistclare said:
Catholics should have a good working knowledge of their faith, and not be concerned with what others advance, there’s no excuse for that.
Even cradle Catholics can remember that Sister whomever never ever told us that we turned into angels. Humans are a distinct species. No amount of flowery thinking changes that fact. We can blame others all we want, but it’s our lack of good catechesis that drives this notion.
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Agreed…there are so many who appear to be experts on the GIRM, the liturgy, and canon law, but don’t have even a basic understanding of the faith…yet they are quick to act on apologetics, but slow to take on self-catechesis.
 
Ven. Fulton Sheen used to talk about his angel who would erase the blackboard during his tv program

😉
 
Jesus Christ said, “For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven.” (Matthew 22:30) Such a statement could easily be misunderstood.
 
Todd977 said:
Jesus Christ said, “For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven.” (Matthew 22:30) Such a statement could easily be misunderstood.
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Only if taken out of the context of the writing.
 
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