(9 of 9)
The act of looking for angels is an exalting gesture. To the degree that this search represents the triumph of hope over proof, it may be a good and cheering sign of our times. For all those who say they have had some direct experience of angels, no proof is necessary; for those predisposed to doubt angels' existence, no proof is possible. And for those in the mystified middle, there is often a growing desire to be persuaded. If heaven is willing to sing to us, it is little to ask that we be ready to listen.
CHART: NOT AVAILABLE
CREDIT: From a telephone poll of 500 adult Americans taken for TIME/CNN on Dec. 2 by Yankelovich Partners Inc. Sampling error is plus or minus 4.5%. "Not sures" omitted.
CAPTION: DO YOU BELIEVE IN THE EXISTENCE OF ANGELS?
DO YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE YOUR OWN GUARDIAN ANGEL?
WHICH BEST DESCRIBES WHAT YOU BELIEVE ANGELS TO BE?
HAVE YOU EVER PERSONALLY FELT AN ANGELIC PRESENCE IN YOUR LIFE?
DO YOU BELIEVE IN THE EXISTENCE OF FALLEN ANGELS, OR DEVILS?