Angel Gabby and the Complexity of Non-religious Comfort

⚠️ Warning: This essay will contain criticisms of Christianity and religion as a whole. I do not have any issue with people who believe in a god or in multiple gods; it is the institution of what religion is ideologically that bothers me, and the way it leverages power over others with false promise. Still, because I am biased against these institutions due to my experiences, it will likely come as standoffish. 

I am a queer, neurodivergent person with heavy religious trauma. Taking that into consideration, it only makes sense that I would hold an aversion to series leaning heavily into the worship of religion and heavy focus upon it. And yet, when I look into the well-crafted ARG that is Angel Hare, I am drawn in tenfold with interest. Something in the twist of narrative, I suppose — An apparent angel intervening with the otherwise "have faith, be strong, just hope alone" story that is so overplayed. A more deliberately divine intervention that gives clear protection to a child. Guides the child on how to cope with his situation. 

Throughout my childhood, I was raised Christian by my aunt and uncle, one of which had very inappropriate contact with me behind closed doors. I didn't know any better, and had no idea that it was one of the many wrong things I was enduring at the time. Still, when I was upset, I prayed for god to help me. He did not. I was raised, taught, that if I just prayed hard enough — Studied the bible verses, sang god's praises — He would send me solutions.

In everything I escaped from, I escaped it on my own, and I maintain pride in that. My ability came from knowledge I sought on my own and coming to terms with my reality — That no one in the church was going to help me. The only way I was going to get help was by meeting the right people with the same values and understanding that I had. And yet, I am still told "everything happened for a reason". How insensitive and childish of a phrase. It spits in the face of someone who worked so hard to get what they have.

But Angel Gabriel is a very compelling character to me in the fact that she does not take this path. She is unafraid of the violent approach to a deemed threat against the child. She isn't all too keen on it immediately, but she's willing to have Jonah eliminate the threat under her guide if things come down to it. She serves as a companion and teacher without citing psalms in an overtired way. She gives solutions. She protects. She returns when needed, and praises Jonah for the abilities he has served, rather than the demand that he praise her or god. To me, that is fascinating. It is warm, it is authentic, and I find an increasingly bizarre amount of comfort with each line she delivers. I adore Angel Gabriel for that reason. 

Granted, I have sort of lost understanding after the initial arc — It becomes more jumbled after the livestream in Jonah's adulthood where they have their reunion. 

All in all, I have very strong thoughts on Angel Hare and have a great fondness for it. It brings immense comfort to me despite its religious context.