I was raised Catholic, although I am no longer practicing, and I eat up any queer media that has Christian lore sprinkled in it, so this show is scratching such a good itch for me.

Angel is gonna have to forgive himself to be redeemed. We also get this message from the Speaker of God in her duet with Sera. Redemption comes from looking inward. Throughout the whole song, Sera looks for answers from a higher authority, but the Speaker says it's her own voice she needs to ask.

You have a character like Alastor, who is unrepentant and knows with absolute certainty that he belongs there. And then you have characters like Angel who are weighed down by so much guilt that they don't see themselves as worthy of redemption.

When Lucifer talks about his punishment, he actually hints at the reason most sinners end up in hell and how they can be redeemed. Like him, they are being tormented by their own choices. Sinners are in hell because that's what they feel they deserve.

He isn't physically tormented and he isn't trapped in the realm of hell. He's barred from everlasting bliss. He's seen heaven and he's now deprived of it. Therefore, anywhere God's light doesn't touch is hell.

Also, a highlight from this lesson:

Me: "When something like this happens, you need to tell an adult!!!"

Student: "Aren't I telling an adult right now?"

Me: [OH SHIT, THAT'S RIGHT. I AM THE ADULT.] "I mean someone with the power to do more about it, like the guidance counselor or the principal!!"