Speaking in Tongues

[Divinus Arma]

(1) Totally false and disingenuous.

(2) Genuine in emotion, but not spiritual.

(3) Spiritual.

(4) Could be any of the three depending on the person and the circumstances.

[CountArach]

False and disingenuous - few people speak in tongues unless they actually believe they can speak in tongues AFAIK.

[Navaros]

Speaking in Tongues is a gift God gave to the Apostles so they could spread the Gospel in the languages they had never learned, and be understood by the native speakers of those languages.

However, what is done today and called 'Speaking in Tongues' is not actually Speaking in Tongues at all. It is simply nonsense and perhaps borderline demonic.

[Fragony]

Does ' speaking in tongues' mean?

[Gaius Scribonius Curio]

[What] does 'speaking in tongues' mean?

Seconded, I have a vague idea but can't really comment unless I'm certain...

[Banquo's Ghost]

Does ' speaking in tongues' mean?

Navaros explained it quite well.

The Apostles were said to have been given a gift to speak (and more likely be heard) in all languages of the earth, so that when they preached, all races would understand their message at the same time.

This was clearly an advantage in the very mixed cultures of the Middle East at the time. It is of course, counted as a miracle of the Holy Spirit.

There are modern Christian sects that claim to have the same power, or individuals that enter a trance like state wherein they "speak in tongues".

To my knowledge, listening to them gives one the distinct impression that they are babbling uncontrollably and are not communicating in any language, let alone many distinct ones.

I suspect the experience is much along the same lines as trance states in many traditions, which are heightened emotional states that affect the individual and onlookers of the same mind.

[Pannonian]

There are modern Christian sects that claim to have the same power, or individuals that enter a trance like state wherein they "speak in tongues".

To my knowledge, listening to them gives one the distinct impression that they are babbling uncontrollably and are not communicating in any language, let alone many distinct ones.

So that's what Dubya has been doing all along.

[Adrian II]

I have long held that the answer was 1. Until I got to know some members of a Christian sect and discovered it was rather more 2. Which makes it even more.. how shall I put this?

I better not.

[Reverend Joe]

However, what is done today and called 'Speaking in Tongues' is not actually Speaking in Tongues at all. It is simply nonsense and perhaps borderline demonic.

Damn, Navaros.

Anyhow, I voted 4, because, in all honesty, we can't know that it's all fake, and I'm sure there are a lot of people out there who feel that it is real. But on the other hand, you can't tell me that every Pentecostal nutjob really believes that he/she is speaking in tongues; there's gotta be at least a few* who are faking it.

*Read: at least half to two thirds. It's a fad at best, and a massive case of spiritual fraud at worst.

[GoreBag]

Speaking in Tongues is a gift God gave to the Apostles so they could spread the Gospel in the languages they had never learned, and be understood by the native speakers of those languages.

Funny you mention that. I can apparently do the same thing with the Lesser Key of Solomon.

I vote 4. Many people are tools, but ritual and belief are powerful, and to deny something I've never personally investigated is presumptuous.

[Tribesman]

Nothing divine about Tribesman's YouTube video

It was divine inspiration

[ICantSpellDawg]

God can do whatever he'd like. Is it that hard to believe that he could give men knowledge?

I've never seen it. I've also never seen Julius Caesar dance a jig.

[Adrian II]

God can do whatever he'd like. Is it that hard to believe that he could give men knowledge?

Fluufuf ngnhe jhsndkeb ahhunjub?

Thought so.

[Faust|]

*edit*