So I know we're all having fun and obviously I can't stop anyone from writing what they want
But the trend of making Simon super religious and view Grace as an angel, or something divine, has very much been noted. And I'm not really sure where it comes from besides taking an idea someone suggested and the entire fandom running with it
Simon himself states he's not really religious. He comes from what is arguably a death cult, which he already displayed some doubt in and questions regarding Eden's beliefs as a child in flashbacks, and has been out of the cult (technically, at least physically) for over a decade. While we can argue that while physically out, he may not mentally have made that jump, and I can understand if that's part of it. He still holds certain aspects in high regard, such as the tree seed/ sprout. He has a connection to The Guy That Told Him to Cross The Wires through them both being of Eden. He feels abandoned by the people of Eden.
But in a death cult, more than anything, Simon wants to live, and that says a great deal about how involved he is now. Which is to say, he isn't.
He states he is not religious, and when the conversation revolves around God, he says he'd rather not go there. Simon likely has very complicated feelings about religion and god and angels and divinity on a good day. And Simon hasn't really had a good day, like, *ever*.
Plus we're factoring in his time on the Iron Lung? Where his closest brush with divinity is the Eye. The pinhole god. The possible origin of the Quiet Rapture. He sees something terrible and horrific and immense and beyond comprehension, and while it helps, it also condemns him to a different fate. It has condemned them all.
I do not think Simon would worship Ryland Grace. I do not think he'd revere him as an angel. I don't think he'd have the near fanatical view regarding him that I've seen in some fics. And nothing against those. I know we're all having fun, and I know I am. I'm reading fics I come across with reckless abandon and glee
But I don't think he'd see Grace as something divine. On a pedestal? Oh yes, absolutely, at least until much later
But if we say he did see Grace as something divine? If he saw him as an angel?
He would probably be terrified
Because the last time he encountered what was considered divine, it found a new way to condemn him to the blood ocean
