Guardian Angels

Through a lucky moment I have recently discovered the print magazine The Week. It is a review of news and articles from the previous week. In this world of instant Internet News, not to mention those 24/7 news outlets, it is nice to read a good summary of what has been happening with some different slants from different sources.

Having said all that as an introduction this past week had a note from the Baylor Religion Survey. In a survey it is reported that:

55% of American adults believe they have been protected from harm by a "guardian angel."

81% of black Protestants,
66% of evangelicals,
57% of Catholics
55% of mainline Protestants and
10% of Jews
said they sensed the presence of angels doing God's will on Earth--

As did 20% of people who said they have no religion.

Interesting survey. From my experience in talking to all types of people over the years, I would agree with the findings in general and guess that the numbers may even be a little low. Many people will talk about that feeling being personally experienced in times of fear or danger, for example.

Even people who claim "no religion" have had these experiences. It is important to note in that now overused and cliched phrase that "religion" is not the same as "spirituality." These result may well show some of that. For some people that simple experience of sensing a power greater that ones self is that spiritual sense at work.

As for me? Well, I have sensed the presence of God in many times and places in my life. There have been times when people have entered my life for even short periods just when I needed them. Putting both together would be times when a "guardian angel" was present in my life.