Of Angels and Aerodynamics.

[chaska]

Or some such shite....

Ever stop to consider whether an angel could actually fly? I have.

I contend that it would be impossible.

Consider the following:

A nearly all of a bird's muscle mass is concentrated in the chest, necessary to power it's wings. Angels have far too little muscle to power any wing worthy of the name.

Birds are extremely lightweight, in relation to their wing size. Angels would need a wingspan in the neighborhood of 20 feet to match up to its weight.

But of course an angel would still be too bottom heavy. Those legs simply have to go.

Consider that no creature has both arms and wings. Is this a problem for anyone?

Angel poop? I contend that such a phenomenon would be a crime against man and nature. I mean, bird poop is bad enough.

Did I miss anything?

[chaska]

1. Let's give this another shot, shall we?

[ghostsofgiants]

2. So the wings are just for decoration?

[chaska]

3. Well, I always assumed they wuz fer flyin'....

Hmm, perhaps you have pointed out the fatal flaw. Maybe they don't need wings for flying.

But darn it, wouldn't it be fun to watch 'em jump offa the diving board in heaven and bounce off the pavement like baby birds do?

[billyskank]

4. Only if angels had bodies made of matter like you and I

which I believe is what the how many angels can dance on the point of a pin debates were about.

[chaska]

5. Hmm, another flaw. Buncha party poopers....

But you contend that angels dance? Maybe heaven's not so bad after all.

...oh wait, that's where Falwell and Robertson are going?

...uh, no thanks.

[billyskank]

7. Who said Falwell and Robertson are going to heaven?

One thing I am sure of, those guys and all like them had better hope it's oblivion rather than damnation for the next life... ;)

[chaska]

9. Isn't Heaven like a country club for Baptists only?

[billyskank]

15. Only if you listen to what they say

:)

[Benfea]

6. Not to burst your bubble but...

There is absolutely nothing in the Bible about angels having wings. In fact the only physical descriptions of angels of any sort describe their weapons and armor. The whole notion of angels with wings was introduced by medieval painters.

[chaska]

10. Now see, I learn something everytime I come to DU....

But why do angels need weapons and armor?

...I really should go to church more.

[Placebo]

12. How about Seraphim?

Ha! Deal with that!

[Benfea]

16. Nothing like the winged creatures...

…most people think of when you say "angel." The seraphim had six wings.

[Placebo]

17. I know...

it's like 3 times the kick ass.

[Benfea]

18. More like 3 times the delusional fantasy.

The seraphim are just bizarre. They use two wings to fly and 4 wings to cover themselves. It's very, very silly.

[NNadir]

8. The same kind of appeal about bumblebees has been solved.

http://www.news.cornell.edu/releases/March00/APS_Wang.hrs.html

We all know bumblebees can fly.

The problem is to get the theory to agree with experiment, not to get experiment to agree with theory.

Now, about the experiment...

[chaska]

11. Nope sorry, bumblebees can't fly. It's all just a myth...

I mean, come on. You can't be that gullible. ;^)

[Oeditpus Rex]

13. An *angel* carryin' a *cocoanut*??

"Look — to maintain airspeed velocity, an angel has to flap its wings 43 times every second."

[chaska]

14. ROFL!!! Best laugh I had all day.