Can Children See Angels: Debunking the Myths and Understanding the Signs

The idea of children seeing angels is often steeped in mythology and religious beliefs. However, the experience can be rooted in a child's vivid imagination or even moments of heightened perception. Let's explore this phenomenon and the signs that might indicate a child is "seeing" angels.

The Personal Experiences of Childhood Visions

From personal anecdotes to documented experiences, individuals recount stories of how they or their children saw visions of angels. One such example is Mary Lou's story. During a play in a graveyard, she witnessed an angel with incredibly large wings who flapped them and disappeared. This experience might seem surreal, but it reflects the vivid imaginations of children and the way they process and internalize narratives they learn.

Imagination and Faith: The Role in Seeing Angels

Children often believe in invisible friends and even the jolly old elf of the North Pole. These imaginings are a normal part of a child's development. However, the idea of seeing angels can be more complex. Children are not indoctrinated into religious beliefs solely through home teaching. They can hear about angels and other mystical figures from various sources, whether through literature, media, or social interactions.

For instance, in the case of Mary Lou, an old and very religious grandaunt told her stories about Mary, the mother of Jesus. Shortly after, Mary Lou had a vision of Mary among the clouds, just as her aunt described. The vivid imagery and storytelling play a significant role in shaping a child's perceptions and experiences, even if they are not based on reality.

Scientific Perspectives on Angelic Visions in Children

Skeptics believe that even those who claim to see angels are experiencing hallucinations or other forms of mental phenomena. Psychologist Dr. John Smith states, 'anyone who “sees angels” is hallucinating. Angels, demons, gods, and devils, including Satan, are all imaginary beings from mythology.' These experiences might indicate a psychotic episode that requires professional psychiatric help.

From a different scientific standpoint, pediatrician Dr. Linda Brown notes, 'children have boundless fantasy and lack the knowledge to word everything they see or feel. Adults who “see” angels are either drunk or suffer from pareidolia.' Pareidolia is the tendency to interpret random stimuli as having meaning. This can manifest in adults who believe they see angels, infusing their imaginations with mythical imagery from their own experiences or cultural backgrounds.

The Role of Coaching and Suggestion

Others argue that parents or guardians may coach or cox children to see angels. This is particularly true for children who are eager to please or susceptible to suggestion. Children have vivid imaginations and can provide detailed and varied accounts of seeing angels once they get used to the idea. This phenomenon is often heightened in environments where children are exposed to religious or mystical narratives frequently.

Psychologist Dr. Emily Johnson explains, 'many children are determined to please and extremely open to suggestion, making it often easy to convince them angels exist. Additionally, their imagination is boundless, making it quite likely they will provide detailed and varied accounts of angels once they get used to the idea.'

Conclusion

The experience of seeing angels in children can range from vivid imaginations to more complex psychological phenomena. Whether due to religious influence, cultural narratives, or the boundless imagination of children, these experiences are a fascinating intersection of the real and the seemingly supernatural. Understanding the signs and the underlying factors can help parents and caregivers support their children in navigating these experiences in safe and healthy ways.