Speaking in Tongues

[Ironside]

Situationally-induced hysteria-on-demand, in my opinion. A lot like what I've seen in Haitian voodoo culture.

On the other hand, I read "news of the weird"-type stories of people suddenly (after some kind of injury or brain trauma) being able to speak some other actual language fluently, or play concert piano, or something else they have not been previously trained to do. If even parts of those stories are accurate, it points to some usually un-tapped ability in us. Not that it's ever happened to me.

When it comes to language, they've actually learned the "new" language at some earlier point, but get some major recollection. I suspect it's simular for everything else you can get it for, but it often requires a lot less to learn. But it's still very interesting that you can max out a talent due to an accident, even if it's very rare.

Personally I agree with Banquo.

[macsen rufus]

I voted for 1, but mostly due to it being Monday morning when my judgment can be a little ... harsh

I think BG summed it up very eloquently, and I am willing to concede to cases of ecstatic trance. But I also feel many examples are "acting up" or meeting expectations, or have simply been manipulated by skilled brainwashing techniques

[Husar]

There was a pastor at our church, a very nice guy, never made the impression that anything was wrong with him or he would not believe what he said, well and he told a story.

I don't remember it exactly but he was travelling around and got delayed or so so he sat down somewhere and somehow got to talk to another guy IIRC.
Whatever happened exactly he said at some point he started to talk what sounded like pure gibberish to himself, but the other guy, a complete stranger began to weep or so and in the end he said that the pastor had spoken in his dead brother's voice to him about accepting Jesus or something.

Now I obviously forgot some details but it was pretty weird anyway, I'm not sure what to make of it and haven't voted yet since I cannot honestly decide between options 1, 2, 3 and 4 which prolly means I should go for 4.

[Viking]

1 & 2

[LittleGrizzly]

I voted 1 but i expect there are a fair few who genuinely think they are speaking for God, they have just tricked themselves...

[Don Corleone]

I voted #4, and I find myself in strong agreement with Navaros. I don't actually think what transpires today is demonic, but I don't think it's legitimate 'Speaking in Tongues' either. I think it's an overly emotional frenzy.

The funny thing is, St. Paul even said that speaking in tongues, in and of itself, is absolutely without merit. It was the utilitarianism of the miracle, as so aptly described by Banquo, that was of merit. I think St. Paul called these people "A clanging gong", and it's not hard to see why.

I'm not saying the Holy Spirit couldn't descend as a sheet of fire once again, and we all could reexperience the Pentecost. But I don't think that's what's happening in these rituals these days. Mainly because of what the end result is. If these people (or as Tribesman found, children) were actually able to spread the gospel to foreign lands, that'd be one thing. But standing up in front of an isolated congregation in Westland, Texas, 300 miles from the nearest population center, and preaching in Ibo or Youraba (or as frequently is the case, jibberish) is not spreading the gospel, and therefore, it's not in accord with the original intent of the gift.

[atheotes]

deliberated between 1 & 2... but voted for 1. Totally agree with BG... and this is not limited to christianity. I have seen people do this when i was a kid... and always thought they must be on drugs or were faking it... could never see it as what they claimed it was....