Angels
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This paper is an examination of the renewed interest in belief in angels. Angels are figures found primarily in Christianity, Judaism, and Islamic religions, who act as divine intermediaries between human beings and god. Although they are mentioned extensively in the Bible and other religious writings, angels have recently enjoyed a resurgence of attention. The returning interest in angelic intervention is reflected in everything from the media to the marketplace. This increase in popularity may be attributed to a number of factors. This paper argues three explanations: the increase in New Age mysticism, which also includes belief in UFOs and conspiracy theories; the effects of the coming millennium, which encourages widespread fear, hope, and a need to feel personally connected to the universe; and the explosion of internet access, which allows individuals to exchange stories of angelic experiences and theories on the nature and existence of angels over a broad geographic area. Recently, organized religion in general has been undergoing a resurgence in attention in America. Numerous popular magazines, particularly Time and Newsweek, have reflected this attention in a series of cover stories, ranging from polls showing increasing belief in the existence of heaven to examinations of the impact of new technologies on the spread of religious doctrine. A recent special issue of TV Guide explored the ways in which television deals with religion, observing that more show
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h tiny wing buds to enormous figures with huge, feathered wings; both of these are more recent visualizations. Jack Miles describes their original conception: "The angels of God, indistinguishable from God himself, have male bodies" (240) and are usually quite removed from earthly interaction except for momentous interventions recorded in the Bible at critical moments.
Whatever the term "angel" may mean to the individual, however, angels are experiencing a measurable resurgence of public interest. One of the reasons for this can be attributed to the rise in New Age mysticism. Increasing beliefs in forces outside of scientific understanding make stories of encounters with angels particularly attractive. As individuals find themselves more open to believing in the existence of extraterrestrials, conspiracy theories, and psychic power, for instance, tales of angelic appearances also become more believable. Williamson argues, "One of the reasons I believe angels are so popular today is because angels are nonthreatening" (Cerone 45); thus, angels are among the least frightening of the possible unknown forces at work in the universe, much more benign than visitors from another planet or ghostly forces of evil. Angels fit into t
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Approximate Word count = 1309
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page)
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