Glossolalia
Talking Heads
Glossolalia, or speaking in tongues,
comprises the utterance of semantically meaningless syllables. Glossolalia is claimed by some to be an unknown mystical language; others claim that glossolalia is the speaking of an unlearned foreign language (see xenoglossia). Glossolalic utterances sometimes occur as part of religious worship (religious glossolalia).While occurrences of Glossolalia are widespread and well documented, there is considerable debate within religious communities (principally Christian) and elsewhere as to both its status - the extent to which glossolalic utterances can be considered to form language - and its source - whether glossolalia is a natural or supernatural Spiritual phenomenon.
A recent neuroimaging study (Newberg et al, 2006) was able to catch 5 religious women in the act of glossolalia while a SPECT (single photon emission computed tomography) scan measured the changes in their cerebral blow flow. SPECT is a relatively inexpensive cousin of PET scanning (positron emission tomography) with lower spatial resolution. One of the reasons fMRI was not a feasible technique for this study is that the amount of movement artifact produced by vigorous babbling would render the resultant images unusable.
Language Center Of The Brain Is Not Under The Control Of Subjects Who 'Speak In Tongues'The participants were screened for psychiatric conditions (other than speaking in tongues) and did not meet criteria for current Axis I or II disorders (American Psychiatric Association, 1994). Interestingly (and fittingly), the authors chose voluntary gospel singing as the control state for glossolalia. In contrast, speaking in tongues is an involuntary state over which the Charismatic or Pentecostal adherent has no control. The curious thing, however, is how the subjects were able to enter the state on cue:
. . .
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine have discovered decreased activity in the frontal lobes, an area of the brain associated with being in control of one's self. This pioneering study, involving functional imaging of the brain while subjects were speaking in tongues, is in the November issue of Psychiatry Research: Neuroimaging...
Following the "singing" scan, the subject returned to the room to perform glossolalia. It began with the music playing and the person initially singing, and then relatively quickly entering into the glossolalia state (usually within 5 min). Once the subject was observed performing glossolalia for 5 min, she was unobtrusively injected with 25 mCi of 99mTc-ECD. The subject continued to perform glossolalia for 15 min and then the session was ended. The subject was then scanned ("glossolalia" scan) for 30 min using the same imaging parameters as above.The Neurocritic is not all that knowledgeable about SPECT as an imaging method, but these authors are (Committee on the Mathematics and Physics of Emerging Dynamic Biomedical Imaging, National Research Council), in case you're interested in learning more.
Newberg AB, Wintering NA, Morgan D, Waldman MR (2006). The measurement of regional cerebral blood flow during glossolalia: A preliminary SPECT study. Psychiatry Res. Oct 11; [Epub ahead of print]
Glossolalia (or "speaking in tongues") is an unusual mental state that has great personal and religious meaning. Glossolalia is experienced as a normal and expected behavior in religious prayer groups in which the individual appears to be speaking in an incomprehensible language. This is the first functional neuroimaging study to demonstrate changes in cerebral activity during glossolalia. The frontal lobes, parietal lobes, and left caudate were most affected.
SPECTacular Glossolalia (Newberg et al., 2006)The figure above illustrates the singing state (a) and the glossolalia state (b). The authors say there is decreased regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) bilaterally in the frontal lobes and unilaterally in the left caudate, so we'll just have to take their word for it. BUT:
Our results were hypothesis driven so comparisons were only tested for the major structures of the frontal, temporal, and parietal lobes, as well as the amygdala, hippocampus, striatum, and thalamus, and thus a correction for multiple comparisons was not performed.I don't think that having a hypothesis exonerates one from correcting for multiple comparisons. [NOTE: right dorsolateral PFC and left caudate decreases would likely survive correction.] Anyway, the authors related the frontal rCBF decreases to the loss of volitional control that is experienced while speaking in tongues. The only healthy increase in rCBF was in the left superior parietal lobe (SPL). They predicted no change in the SPL.
What does it mean? How does this compare to another neurotheology study, recollection of a mystical experience in Carmelite nuns (Beauregard & Paquette, 2006)? The one commonality is an increase in left SPL in both studies.
Can we really say She's Lost Control?
posted by The Neurocritic @ 4:12 PM
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The Singing Neanderthals: The Origins of Music, Language, Mind and Body
by Steven J. Mithen
http://www.amazon.com/Singing-Neanderthals-Origins-Music-Language/dp/0297643177
I believe it is simply a loss of control.
Interesting stuff and I am sure you are aware of the Nightline episode for tonight discussing these concepts.
But to the contrary, I would suggest that Christian glossolalia, properly understood, is voluntary. This was its practice in the New Testament, where it is seldom if ever characterized as "ecstatic" in the popular sense of the term.
In fact, regulations are laid down by the Apostle Paul for the public exercise of glossolalia in which he takes pains to tell people not to exceed three utterances in a tongue because it defeats the goal of the rational edification of those in attendance at gatherings.
Paul gives his own example as one heavily devoted to the practice and discusses how he of his own volition can choose to either speak/sing "in the spirit" or in the vernacular, as it were. You can read about this in First Corinthians chapter 14 if so inclined.
To tie speaking in tongues to the term "ecstatic" clouds the issue in my opinion and we do not typically see "uncontrolled" overwrought tongues speaking in the New Testament.
Full disclosure: I am a charismatic Christian and have been around this for 25 years +. Most people I know who speak in tongues do this voluntarily as and when they so choose and usually tongues is taught to be a volitional act under the control of the speaker who can "turn it on and off" at will.
Nick, thanks for your comments. I hadn't seen the Nightline episode and am not (in general) familiar with the practice of Glossolalia in charismatic Christian churches. My expertise is in the neuroscience of the subject (obviously), and not religious practice. I took the description by Newberg et al. (2006) at face value:
Glossolalia, sometimes referred to as “speaking in tongues,” is an unusual mental state associated with specific religious traditions. The individual appears to be speaking in an incomprehensible language over which he or she claims to have no control. Yet, the individual perceives glossolalia to have great personal meaning. The individual also describes a lack of voluntary control over the vocalizations.
Since you have vast experience with glossolalia and describe the practice as voluntary, I wonder why the quote above says otherwise?
I am a Christian, and have been for 10 years. I grew up in the church, and have been around this all my life.
When we say, "voluntary" we mean that we can choose to utter sound - we simply don't choose which syllables these would be, we don't "think" as we speak, it is as if our tongue and verbalization is taken over. Yet we can stop speaking if we so choose.
Sometimes as I pray in tongues, I can "listen" to myself. I've wondered at times if what I was saying was a specific language. I was shocked the other night to hear a woman at church praying in tongues, and she was a repeating a phrase (in tongues) that I had also heard myself uttering in many previous sessions. And yet I had never prayed with her before. So it seemed to me that we shared a common prayer language, even though we hadn't prayed with each other before. It's strange, I'll admit. Supernatural.
I've also heard of stories where Christians were praying in tongues and the listeners recognized a language that they spoke, even though the speaker wasn't a native. (This phenomenon is recorded in the Bible as well).
Thanks for your perspective, Cara. Sounds like it's both voluntary and involuntary at the same time (somehow).
I can speak in tongues, but unfortunatly hardly any other Christian can see
http://scratchpad.wikia.com/wiki/TongueSpeaker
I am a Christian and pray in tongues on a daily basis. The point the study you refer to is trying to make regarding gossolalists not having control over their tongues I can relate to my own experience thusly: when I am speaking in tongues, I generally do not exercise control over the syllables that I am speaking; however, at all times I have full control over the pitch, volume, clarity of pronunciation, whether to cease or pause, etc. Additionally, I could choose to insert an English word at any time within the expression of glossolia. Since I am praying or worshiping while I speak in tongues, I might insert "Thank you Jesus" or "Hallelujah" at any time. However, when not intentionally interposing a word or syllable like that, I would say that I have no control over what syllables I actually utter when praying in tongues.
I have been speaking in tongues since 1971 and my experience is generally the same as Cara, Nick and Anonymous but may I add that I can always listen to myself, and it seems as though I am able to speak in one language that may sound very French, or I my "flow" into a langauge that is very sing-songie like Chinese. Then I may speak in a language that sounds Russian or Native American. (complete with sounds that I have NEVER made in my native English). I was told by a Frenchman once that I was speaking in a very old French dialect that he recognized from childhood, spoken by his grandparents in the south of France. At the time, I was praying for a woman with stomach problems. She was healed as we prayed. Later, "Laurent", the French electronics engineer, recounted to me, to his amazement, that he even recognized some of the words, which sounded like medical terms and parts of the body. He was so moved by the experience that he was in tears. I have had other experiences like this. I beleive that there are believers who never mature in the free-flow of this supernatural gift, who really believe they have the gift when they repeat syllables they have heard in prayer meetings. They desire the gift so badly that they subconsciously repeat what they have heard. Sadly, this is probably true of the candidates used in the linguistics study from the 1970's. I would love to see a study done using candidates who find themselves speaking what appear to be mature languages with myriads of differing syllables. There are many out here like myself who experience this phenomenon.
If you have no control over what
syllables you are speaking when speaking in tongues, then how do you know if you are being directed by
God or by the devil ?
In response to the post by grammatink said "I would love to see a study done using candidates who find themselves speaking what appear to be mature languages with myriads of differing syllables. There are many out here like myself who experience this phenomenon."
I will be conducting such a study at:
tonguesresearchblog.blogspot.com
First of all, because I'm a Christian. Secondly because I trust God. The same faith that brought me salvation, brought me the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Everything in God happens by and from faith. I'd been saved from my sins, then baptized in water already (Mark 1:8) but I wanted the next baptism - the one with the Holy Spirit. I believe every promise in the Bible, especially those Jesus spoke: Jesus promised me what I would get if I would ask, so I asked my Father in heaven to baptize me with fire and with the Holy Spirit (Mt 3:11, Luke 3:16) and that's what I got - no other spirit but the Holy One. Good fathers give their children what they ask for, and God is a good Father. He only knows how to be good to His children. Luke 11:10-13 "For everyone who asks, receives; and he who seeks, finds; and to him who knocks, it will be opened. Now suppose one of you fathers is asked by his son for a fish; he will not give him a snake instead of a fish, will he? Or if he is asked for an egg, he will not give him a scorpion, will he? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him?" And for 35 years I have received miracles of physical healing, loved ones getting saved, wondrous provision, and healed hearts too many to count, simply from praying both with my understanding and with my spirit. May your fears be erased and your faith in a God that only does wondrous things for His children, be released. The mysteries of the Kingdom all come by faith and cannot be explained by science - only explored. That's why they're called "mysteries" and it's why God is God, and we are not. He decides how to destribute the gifts, to whom, in what measure, for His purposes. We are the created beings, the receivers, the benefactors of the mysteries, and only child-like faith opens the door to receiving.
Misitheus, please try or ask a non-believer to imitate Glossolalia... Not just producing weird sounds but speaking with distinct syllabes in a fluent way. If he manages to do that, ask him to speak very fast (the syllabes being still clear) and to do something else in the same time, like resolving a multiplication. If either the Holy Spirit or a demon isn't speaking through you, it is impossible to do that. (I said a demon, because sorcerers also practice a kind of glossolalia).
I want to tell you about some talent, gift or whatever you may call it that in a way is like what is described as Xenoglossia.All my life I have been able , with certain languages, to listen to people speaking and then suddenly a word that is totally different than English will make sense and after that I can understand what they are saying. There is no one geographical area envolved, they have been Asian, European, African languages. I have what I call my "Helen Keller Moment" and one single word clicks and the computer inside finds the correct algorithm and I take off from there. I can't speak original sentences, just understand. I am 51 and as far back as age 3 I am told I had this. Is there anyone who studies such a phenomenon? I would like to talk with them. I do speak , read and write a half dozen languages that I have , with some effort, learned . I don't do this with every language I hear, but maybe its because I just don't have time to run through all the programs or I would. I do have some trouble with tonal languages but if I hum along it helps.
i think it's interesting how you can find glossolalia in certain hindu sects in India that sounds just like the same glossolalia in christian churches.
what could this mean?
possibly a sign that christians and hindus worship the same god???? that would freak most of america out.
I am a Christian who prays in an unknown language. I didn't grow up with it. I believe that there are tongues of men and angels, as Paul said.I am almost positive that there are also demonic tongues, as I had a bad tongue once, and was sharply corrected by the real Holy Spirit.`I also was talking on the phone with a lady who was supposedly Chritian, and while she was in tongue,an evil spirit came thru and it almost gave me a heart attack,my heart was out of rythym from it.GOD IS LOVE,and He would never hurt us. I hope and pray that the churches hear this message.Just because a person talks in an unknown tongue,DOES NOT ALWAYS MEAN ITS FROM GOD.You have to be seeking God and the things of God ,like Jesus commands us to do, or else you can't really be sure. There have always been false brethren,and they are murderous and hateful,they tried to kill Paul.In my life I have seen that the devil can mimic nearly all of Gods gifts,EXCEPT LOVE!!"I AM THE LIFE ,THE TRUTH ,AND THE WAY."
Former pentecostal humanist who can still speak in tongues...
It still feels good. It still feels divine, though I believe it is a learned behavior. I wish I could find more neurological studies on it than this.
I used to be a Christian but am now rather apostate, though I still have remnants of belief. When I was a Christian I practiced glossalia. I am also a pretty good linguist; in my life I have spoken about 10 language, 3 somewhat fluently.
I think the distinction between the voluntary action and the involuntary choice of vocalization is somewhat accurate, but I do think a person who speaks in tongues has some control over the patterns of vocalization, even if not the specific utterances. There is also quite a numinous, not necessarily ecstatic, feeling associated with glossalia. The experience is real and often life changing, whether or not you believe the underlying justifications or explanations.
Kevin
I am like anonymous (or Kevin). While I no longer practice any specific religion, I can still speak in the glossolalia that first came to me when I was 18. My first experience was a heightened, emotional one of expectation--I expected the Holy Spirit and had what felt like an overwhelming, torrential experience of energy coursing through my body and the manifestation of this language which felt like it was "released." It was so intense, my teeth chattered for hours afterward. Ever since, I can choose to sing or speak in what sounds like a sophisticated form that utilizes sounds that I do not use in regular speech. To me, it sounds very Middle Eastern and then sometimes changes to a more Eastern European "dialect." Some sounds are very "slavic" to me.
I do not speak any other languages fluently and studied French in high school but can not speak well. I am very musical and also have an ear to replicate foreign accents and mimic cadence and tone of speech. I have been hoping to find a study about glossolalia for a long time or to participate in some kind of study.
My experience in speaking is very meditative and calming. When I let the speech "flow," I have witnessed quite surprising shifts and changes. I can have a sing-song chanting quality (much like my husband who is a practicing Buddhist when he chants), or an urgent "listing" quality when I seem to have recited names of individuals (who I don't know), to a gentle, quiet, constant flow of speech.
When I was young and a new convert, I did have a couple of ecstatic type experiences when I felt I was praying for others or "interceding" on someone's behalf. But, I also converted during a time in my life when I was very depressed, very lonely, and felt very misunderstood. I could have used a great therapist and kind mentor--the psychological shenanigans of the pentacostal and charismatic churches I experienced were every bit as damaging as the "secular" depression I had.
This is a part of myself I pretty much conceal from friends and family. My husband has never heard me do it (I think it would freak him out) or my children. I believe in the force that set this free in me but try not to label it anymore. While I love the idea of Jesus, the older I get, the less I know for certain. I guess what I am really looking for is some kind of confirmation that I am not making this up but rather letting a larger, kinder, universal force express itself for good in the world through me.
Perhaps this is something that will always be a matter of faith with no scientific confirmation of any kind. I think that I would feel (once again) really duped and kind of crazy, if I were to find that there is no greater mystery here other than my own lonely mind creating a manifestation to fill some deep personal void.
While the study performed and the comments here are interesting; I would like to share my experience with the person who develops the gift of glossolalia in us. Yes, I am intimately aquainted with and am in love with the person of the Holy Spirit. The best part? He, the Holy Spirit, is even more in love with me. Dear, eaj, He is also, unconditionally, in love with you. And, each of you reading this.
By engaging in the glossolalia He gave you at age 18, He is passionately drawing you because He desires your company. Not for you to have an emotional response but a true encounter and relationship. Your experience was peaceful - He is the Prince of Peace. A larger, more kind, Universal Force exists and has revealed Himself to you. He is the Beginning and He is the End. An End of Love, forgiveness and restoration. His judgement is accomplished in the person of Jesus, our only salvation.
I pray you will discover His loving kindness for you.
One last thought, the novel "The Shack", by William P. Young, details another man's encounter with the person who is the Holy Spirit.
Blessings!
Hello. I read most of the comments here, and many of them seem to be sourced from people who call themselves Christians, or followers of Jesus, etc. I am neither. In fact, I don't follow any man-made religion, yet I do practice daily rituals of meditation and breathing and I do believe that we are all one. One, meaning the divine energy. I have had an experience of glossolalia, and I am trying to understand it. Unlike many of the christians here who have stated that they do this daily, and that it is a voluntary activity that can be brought about through the conscious mind, my expereince was COMPLETELY involuntary. I didn't realize it was happening until I was coming out of it. It was as if my conscious mind re-emerged and as soon as I was conscious of myself, the tounge speaking ceased, and I just felt extremely exhilerated, like having left the room for a cosmic journey. But, I was in the same place the entire time. I can truly say that something, a spirit maybe?, came over me, becuase I had no control and it was like a dream, I could only realize it after it was over, yet, i remember being there, but not the words (or sounds) I spoke. All i rememeber is the very last 2 syllables I recited, as I was coming out of it. I was not familiar with the sounds. At this point i knoew something happpened, and I realized I had been speaking in some language for maybe the last 3 minutes or so, but i couldn't consciously listen to it while it was happening. It was really like a dream, but this is way too hard to explain. Can anyone relate to this? Oh, and by the way, this experience happened to me during sex.
I am glad I am not the only one who has experienced random involuntary glossolalia during sexual excitement and intercourse. People have even been witness to this phenomena. Some have said it sounds like Latin, some like Spanish, some like French, some like Middle English, and one person described it as some odd alien language. I have no recall of the words or anything. This also at times happens at random moments. I just start talking, have no idea what I am even saying. Sometimes if I do recall the words I would write them down and look them up. At one time I was speaking Hindi at another time Latin. I have no explanation at all for it. I do not follow any organized religion. If anything I am a spirtualist. So trying to explain this cannot be explained...
One incorrect assumption is that all glossolalia is preceded by activity designed to arouse and stimulate emotion such as singing, chanting, and dancing. This is common but not at all the rule and researchers need to do a better job of statistical sampling. Admittedly this is hard since the number of those willing to be studied aren't abundant. Its also possible that there are latent variables in the population that do come forward that impact research. So its a tough job.
Still I've observed glossolalia that was initiated on demand without preparation or the customary rituals of singing and preaching. Furthermore its not the typically observed permutation of previously known language units that are commonly found in most published research. Unfortunately encouraging these people to come forward to be studied is difficult since they feel it inappropriate to put what they feel is essentially a form of worship on exhibition.
There is more to consider and I hope to see more research.
He doesn't do superstition... the gods.
From the Muse's POV--and there are six rattling around in the brain, maybe seven--during Spells, it is as if the possessed is making a report to a trusted authority: the voice speaks freely, confidently assured... he is heard, the Listener's reticence is warm and loving, smiling back.
His partner for thirty-seven years beside him, she listens...
I speak in tongues. alot of people I know do. I started when I was 17 and people in the youth group I attemd have been speaking it since they were 12 or younger. Maybe your not seeing this spiritual gift like it is since you had fallen into the demonic control as a young age and you were never saved. You lose self-control since it is not a thing of self, but a thing of God.
I've been "speaking in tongues" (as I suppose it's called) for as long as I can remember; I can talk, argue, and even sing. It occurs both compulsively and by choice, although I've found that I have some slight difficulty returning to real speech once I've started. I tend to do it when alone (especially in the car or shower) although I've noticed lately it's happening around other people with more frequency. It was never connected or caused by any religious belief or emotion, as I was not raised faithful. Nor was it ever accompanied by any physical behavior (no rolling in the aisles, no ecstatic gesturing). It was just a sudden switch from real speech to something else, an odd tic I had that I tried very carefully to conceal from other people, even my parents, in case it revealed a mental illness.
To finally have even the suggestion of a name to attach to the behavior is an odd feeling. I'm disappointed that I have not been able to find more information that isn't coloured by religious interpretation, as I mentioned before it has nothing to do with faith in my case. In fact, I feel less comfortable with it now than I did before, having learned of the religious associations (please do not interpret this as a dismissal of religion, merely the fear of being stereotyped rather than taken seriously).
Still, thank you for writing this post and bringing my attention to the studies being done. Now that I have a starting point, I can begin to look for more answers.
I first encountered this experience about 30years ago whilst in a state of deep emotional release called primal therapy. It was wonderful. I stayed in the space for about 2days. Since then I have found it easy to access. It is very relaxing, entertaining and regenerative. I am able to take other people into the experience and over the years have had wonderful times with a room full of people interacting in this sacred language. It engages the heart and mind simultaneously. As people relax and trust the process marvellous theater emerges. I am sure that there is heaps of oxytocin produced. People can argue with relish just enjoying the energy free of the judgments of the rational mind or have deep and meaningful conversations. Spontaneous song is quite common.
i teach a program that this is now part of. People love it.
Shivam Rachana
Shivam Rachana, you said: "I am able to take other people into the experience and over the years have had wonderful times with a room full of people interacting in this sacred language."
Do you give them any instructions of how they can do that? Could you possibly write them here?
I am Stephen I will not give my last name for I am untouchable by world security files. I was 8 years old and
whistling to the birds one day and began singing in perfect french.
I speak perfect 24 Hebrew and Hebrew
adopted tribal languages which make up the prime gentile orders of the world. i.e. Old welch, Algonquin, Mayan Aztec Cherokee, Old Chinese Classic Arabic. I am president of An Order in Israel for breaking the code of Aramaic Hebrew Thanks to Rabbi Jastrow dictionary. IT IS IMPOSSIBLE FOR ME TO PICK UP OVER 125 COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS THAT ARE IN VERY ANCIENT FORMAT. The MAJORITY OF THESE PEOPLE DISDAIN Christians SO WOULD NEVER TEACH THERE SACRED LANGUAGES TO THEM OR EVEN SPEAK IT. I have come to the conclusion that this is a legal trick from God to legally give direct access to the heavens and literally blow away the vast majority of all people even Bible scholars similar to the extreme gift of Samson's strength or Davids killing Goliath. In order to except this evidence is to give such a scientific credit to the Bible that it could destabilize the very culture of the scientific community. This would jeopardize our Political system and even our economy and world security. This is similar to why we do not have flying cars. We have the technology since the invention of the helicopter over 100 years ago. The problem is security. People could rob houses
from the roof and even the President would not be safe. To Prove a direct Mosaic mouth to mouth contact with The Ultimate intelligence is to make obsolete all other theoretical religious institutes. One big pitfall the part of the brain that makes one open to xeno glossolaia also can be used by lying fallen Angels. Not that this gift does not prove the supernatural but it cannot prove a good God without Holiness
and death to one egotism and ethnocentrism that would tilt the
ear of this gift away from The God of Truth. IT MAY WELL BE THAT THIS OUTER COURT COMMUNICATION SYSTEM WILL KEEP PERFECT oLD HEBREW IN THE millennium KINGDON WHILE SECURING PERFECT PROTECTION TO THE 24 OR SO PRIME TRIBES AND THEIR CULTURES IN LANGUAGE, HANDSIGNS, MUSIC AND DANCE. This would make sense if that person were a co- ruler with King David but over the gentiles. Holy servant administrative Angels would parallel the Messianic future order over the whole earth. Naturally the religious and scientific orders of this world would reject this evidence because it is without earthly foundation such as one of the first xeno-glossolaic speakers Ba-lams donkey. How can you make a self help group from An Ass. Who would trust in it. Like they said to Jesus no one can bear your teaching so he died alone. Just who is going to pay you to be a Jack Ass braying in a Language you cannot defend. What can you teach the people and what are they following? In the end it is not the translation that said it was only from the Bible or very big intelligent or even references to The Messianic salvation but rather I persevere to bring forth the voice of prophecy because Symir Lechine said Out side you are friendly but inside you are like a very big Love. www.internationaljerusalem.com
I've been speaking glossolalia since I was about 10 and I'm not religious. Lately, it's been on the rise and sometimes even outright manic and hard to keep down in public situations. That's why I was on your blog. I'm trying to find some information about non-religious glossolalia and there just doesn't seem to be any. Not all of us are bible-thumpers.
So interesting. Only comment is, get the word "Religion" out of one's head. At the time of Christ, that of Christianity did not yet exist, yet He is The Christ in action. He is the ALpah and Omega, the Beginning and the End. As was his life here in the flesh. Anything after that is in retrospect and subject to interpretation. If we think we know God we do not. The more I do not know Him..the more He is known. Common Logic is the Grand Paradox. Do not try to make sense of anything or the test is failed. that is not Faith, only BelieF. If God in Man on this Earth could not convince people face to face then, then certainly it will not change today. Exactly as He himself said would be the case. With that which we see cannot be Seen, that with which we hear cannot be Heard..that which thinks cannot be Thought. I have seen nothing about interpreters on this thread.
So if you are deaf, and you speak in sign language... is there a sign language Glossolalia too?! If so let me know.
Look at all the languages spoken by man today and in the past. All language is a consensus: if you and I agree that a "ferret" is called a "t-t-t-sh-mm," then "t-t-t-sh-mm" it is. Most studies can only conclude that these people are making repeated sounds with no known human grammatical structure. It is logical that human grammar developed in many variations over many generations until it reached a functional level. Infants and twin children in particular often develop language known only to themselves.
Early evangelists failed to apply tongues in speaking other human languages without training, simply because there must be a consensus that any given tongue is functional.
I speak in tongues, I'm atheist and practice healing despite being more interest in neuroscience tha mysticism.
Based in south west uk I would be keen to talk to others that an do this. I tried the test suggested by the poster from several years back and passed. 964 x 7 whilst happily chatting away in tongues. I succeeded
Anyway anyone local to me interested in this please do get in touch.
I don`t speak in tongues and I want to ask those who speak: how can I learn to do this? what should I do to start speaking? just say any syllables and sounds which are coming into my mind? or something else? or you use any special techniques to get into this state? Can you give any instructions? Thanks.
I could do it at five, I cannot teach, I have no idea how.
and do you feel anything special while speaking in tongues?
Yes but its not something that I can easily share without sounding pretentious, flaky or psychotic or all over the above.
Lets just say I have plenty of personal compelling reasons both experiential and emotional for using it just about every day if not more.
I am a medical Doctor and energy psychology therapist at Turkey
I have a muslim lady speaking in tongues, I have the record of her speech which resembles like hebrew
is there a link where I can upload this speech and ask if anyone is familiar with the words ?
It is very quick uttering no one can do this fakely.
I'm glad to see so many experienced comments. I find it just like God to give scientific proof of what He's doing. Like others who have commented, I received the Holy Ghost speaking in tongues in 2000. I can start and stop speaking/uttering, but do not control the language or message. I can hear my prayer language (which seems to change like another responder commented), but I cannot hear the Words when being used in the spiritual gift of divers tongues. I have had the experience of bringing a message to the church in tongues which could be understood by two ladies in the congregation. Tongues are real languages! Our God is amazing enough to not only give us the words to speak but to cause them to come out fluently. The bible tells us no man can tame the tongue. Again it's just like God to take the most unruly member of the body and use it as a sign of surrender and as the evidence of His indwelling. My bible says God will pour out of His Spirit upon all flesh. If you want to receive, believe!
Agnostic is an ugly word;
It has an ugly sound,
Describing what I do believe,
As well as what I don't.
The other word that rubs me wrong
Is glossolalic;
A word for those who speaks
in tongues,
The type most folks attack.
Although each word offends my ears
Encountered on its own,
In tandem they both harmonize
In one delightful tone.
In retrospect it does seem odd
That these words form a pair,
To complement each other,
In a harmony so rare.
Their yin and yang is balanced,
And is never out of synch.
They thumb their nore at logic,
And confirm the way I think!
The entire study is fundamentally flawed. Where is the other group of nonbelievers who are told to lose themselves and start mumbling without thinking. Until this is done for comparison, the study is meaningless.
hi...i just want to ask is it still considered as glossolalia if i do speak in random syllables that doesn't make sense at all and im not in this high spiritual state? I do speak that way when im alone and bored. The way i deliver it is just like as if im talking with someone infront of me. And its getting more frequent now that even when people are around i cant help but to open my mouth and utter those words. Those people who hears me said i talk as if im speaking another language, and they are surprise when i said that what i said is meaningless at all. I even made them speak in random but they said (even I) they cant duplicate the way i deliver the random syllables. Am I normal?
Im christian and have been able to speak in tongues for 2 years. I received it in private after praying to God to recieve this gift and shortly after baptism. As with other Christians, I can definately control when I stop and start, the pitch speed but not the words (i can repeat them but don't create them). I dont think about it and can use my brain for other things. It is a nice encouraging feeling during and afterwards. I usually do it in private but have also in small groups. Haven't had an interpretation but I believe some are gifted to interpret. Love x
I speak in tongues.When I prayed it bubbled up and came out. I have spoken now for 25 years. I know what it is and why most people d us have many of the same words when we speak.One if my words us Ki.I've studied the older languages because my great grandfather spoke the original Norse language from Oslo Norway. The word key is an ancient Sumerian word for Earth everybody who speaks Pentecostal or speak in the tongues Pentecostals of tribute to themselves are speaking a language that's been in their DNA. Not all humans have this first language only those whether DNA can be traced trajan Sumeria. There is also another first language that's in the Pentecostal tongues and that's a Celtic language the first language of the Celts. I have both Sumerian killed and then I have Indian that comes out as I've spoken and Indians that were in the church that I was speaking their language at the time. The terms is the first original language that mankind spoke before God scattered the people and confuse the language that's in a nutshell nothing less nothing more
Of all the comments I identified with this the most. Except mine doesn’t sound like a currently used language to me.
Wouldn't freak me out, if there is only one true God we should all be better off worshipping Him. I am Christian and have believed this since I was a young child with no teaching. There can only be one Creator.The debate is wether or not we believe in Jesus, the resurrected son of God, the Messiah. But maybe I oversimplify.
Glad to find you. I believe speaking in tongues is linked with sexual arousal. Which of course many People will choose not to act on because of the circumstances where they spoke in tongues. I just want to have testimonies as a believe that some people make love while speaking in tongues
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