Speaking tongues??????

[The Crone]

Ok I am like wondering what this is.....

I went to a WORD OF LIFE CHURCH for a persons baptism.. kind of cool ritual....full dunked in that water...kind of cool....

anyway after the mircle of cleansing was complete the Preacher Man got up in front and we sang songs and then we got still and he "talked in tongues" was odd...but it moved the people.

So since I had never heard of this not sure I am spelling it right either because I can't find much on it.....

But what I did find was...Jesus spoke to the masses and they all understood him....this was called talking in the tongues of men......that Bible has some great stories!

But what this fella was doing was odd (sounded for all the world to be ording a peperoni pizza)....then a few of the women got so moved they started to fall back...and THERE were men there to catch them...WOW I was a thinking.....being a solitare Witch sure didn't have all this.....maybe a real deep medation....loose a couple of hours sort of thing.....out of body travel now and again....but I am prepared (never needed a catcher man)... it seemed these people where just surprised and the catchers were there.....

Anyone tell me more about speaking tongues?

Now the Catholic Church is were it is at....my friend won't take me anymore cause I ask too many questions and when I found out it was real wine they were drinking down there with the Priest I wanted to line up....can't take a Pagan anwhere! LOL

If there weren't a whole lot of different beliefs in the world where could I get such interesting entertainment?!

[Mithrea]

The academic/linguistic/psychological word for it is "glossolalia." I can't comment on the spiritual aspects of it, but you might search for that term at google for more information. :)

[The Crone]

Thanks ! ! am on my way swish~~~~~~~

[Tammy Sullivan]

I went to church with a friend of mine in grade school and she went to a Pentacostal Church. They said that when they spoke in "tongues" they were overcome by the holy spirit and were in fact in a sort of possesion, if you will? That it was the secret language of angels and you would understand it when you die. It's kind of like channeling, but I bet they would never call it that. :D
But it also is closely related to the hatian dancing rituals, at least the way they behave once the spirit overtakes them.

[Flar's Freyja]

:rolleyes: Don't get me started......

During my seeking years, I attended several Pentecostal churches where speaking in tongues was common. I even had this experience several times. During a moment of spiritual energy, I spoke in a language that I did not know or understand. While I do believe that this is a spiritual experience for many, one church in particular seemed to make it a goal, almost a requirement, leading those who hadn't received this gift to doubt themselves. I can't remember chapter and verse but there are several statements in the Bible referring to this as what happens when one is filled with the Holy Spirit.

Some denominations think it's a bunch of crap and some even question whether it comes from God.

[flar7]

have done it. Is very cool. But the bible says not to speak in
tongues unless there is an interpreter there, because the message
will be lost. Now being baptised and speaking in tongues is
different, regardless if its baptism of water or the spirit(they use oil for that one)
Your spirit in that case is talking directly to God, and you body
is incapable of keeping up in an understandable language. It
was at my spiritual baptism that I spoke it, and it is one of the
greatest manifestation of spiritual energy and divine presence I
have ever felt.

but when others in the church just stand up and begin speaking
in tongues they are delivering a message, or are supposed to,
but it is lost without an interpreter.

[shnen]

been there, done that... but when you spoke in tongues they called it "being bapsited by the holy spirit", and you can only seek it after you have been water baptised. It was with a new order mennonite church, and I know, from my family that pentecostals do it too...

I have done it, but yes, like Freyja there was a rush of energy that goes through you, and have no idea what you are saying... could probably do it in circle somtimes come to think of it.. ;)

[Amber Ravenstar]

I have two very different tales to share on this subject, one serious and one hilarious.

Serious:
When I was about 19, I went to the Cathedral of St John the Divine (still under construction, and the largest gothic cathedral in the world) in New York City. It is breathtakingly beautiful. I have always been very partial to gothic architecture, and this place is a marvel. There were very few people in the building, as it was midday on a weekday. I walked down the aisles among stone pillars more than a story high and felt like I was in an ancient forest. The stained glass windows cast a rainbow of light on the floor, and a faint scent of incense was in the air. I found myself singing very softly in a language unknown to me. I remember thinking it sounded celtic or even like Tolkien elvish. It was a proundly magical experience and I felt filled with joy and love. At the time, I no longer considered myself Christian and was not quite a Pagan.

Hilarious (at least I think so)
My aunt somehow allowed herself to be talked into attending a Pentecostal mass by a friend. At some point, people began to speak in tongues. Finally, my aunt was the only one who wasn't doing so. The rest of the congregation surrounded her and began to pray at her, telling her to open to the Holy Spirit and speak to them. This continued for longer than she was comfortable, and finally she realizeds that they weren't going to give up until she said something.
She started shouting at the crowd, "Pog mo thon!" (pronounced pog a me hone), which is Irish for "Kiss my a**"! The congregation burst into celebration that she was moved by the Spirit, and my aunt had to fight hard not to laugh herself senseless.

[The Crone]

Thank you all for your replies....I have learned much...had a couple of chuckles and most of all really enjoy this sight...once more THANKS!

[earthcat]

Originally posted by Amber Ravenstar

Hilarious (at least I think so)
My aunt somehow allowed herself to be talked into attending a Pentecostal mass by a friend. At some point, people began to speak in tongues. Finally, my aunt was the only one who wasn't doing so. The rest of the congregation surrounded her and began to pray at her, telling her to open to the Holy Spirit and speak to them. This continued for longer than she was comfortable, and finally she realizeds that they weren't going to give up until she said something.
She started shouting at the crowd, "Pog mo thon!" (pronounced pog a me hone), which is Irish for "Kiss my a**"! The congregation burst into celebration that she was moved by the Spirit, and my aunt had to fight hard not to laugh herself senseless.

**sitting here quietly chuckling and wishing I'd been there....**

[Demeter]

The issue of speaking in tongues has always puzzled me.

First of all, here's what it says in Acts about it:

1When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. 2Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues[1] as the Spirit enabled them.
5Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. 6When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard them speaking in his own language. 7Utterly amazed, they asked: "Are not all these men who are speaking Galileans? 8Then how is it that each of us hears them in his own native language? 9Parthians, Medes and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome 11(both Jews and converts to Judaism); Cretans and Arabs--we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!" 12Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, "What does this mean?"
13Some, however, made fun of them and said, "They have had too much wine.[2] "

Peter, previously a fairly tongue-tied person, is then rendered able to make long speeches. So it seems from Acts that the disciples were given the ability to be understood in other languages, so that everybody could hear the Word without having to have it explained or interpreted by someone else.

However, the gift of tongues as it seems to be used in the churches now is *exactly the opposite*: The person speaks in a babble which is not ANY language, and nobody understands it except for maybe one or two "interpreters" who can basically say it means whatever they want it to mean and nobody can say them nay.

The concept seems kind of unclear.

I have never spoken in tongues nor heard anyone who spoke in tongues. I have had occasions where the Goddess spoke through me and I was not in control of what I was saying ... but She always used English.

[Witchy Cowgirl]

Originally posted by flar7
Is very cool. But the bible says not to speak in
tongues unless there is an interpreter there, because the message
will be lost. .............................
but when others in the church just stand up and begin speaking
in tongues they are delivering a message, or are supposed to,
but it is lost without an interpreter.

I've never done it.
I remember as a child (my Daddy was the minister) there was a woman who on ocassion would speak in tounges during church. Me and my friends of course got a big kick out of it. Something I now feel guilty about. But I do remember Daddy saying that he wished she wouldn't do it because she didn't have an interpreter. But, how do you know when your gonna be moved by the Spirit that much? Are you supposed to carry a interpreter around in your back pocket?

[flar7]

even while in the ecstacy of the divine, you can choose not to
speak. One of the great freedoms and curses of religion, choice.

They usually choose to go ahead and speak though because of
self gratification, it feels so good you can see no fault in it. They
may also be assuming that an interpreter is gonna step up and
speak, also, sometimes the interpreter probably holds back and
decides not to.(fear or embarrassment or pride.)

[Demeter]

Originally posted by flar7
have done it. Is very cool. But the bible says not to speak in
tongues unless there is an interpreter there, because the message will be lost.

*snip*

but when others in the church just stand up and begin speaking
in tongues they are delivering a message, or are supposed to,
but it is lost without an interpreter.

Where does it say this? The only thing I've been able to find in the Bible on tongues was the chapter in Acts where it specifically says when people spoke in tongues the listeners DID NOT NEED an interpreter, they heard their own languages clearly.

[The Crone]

Originally posted by Demeter
The issue of speaking in tongues has always puzzled me.

However, the gift of tongues as it seems to be used in the churches now is *exactly the opposite*: The person speaks in a babble which is not ANY language, and nobody understands it except for maybe one or two "interpreters" who can basically say it means whatever they want it to mean and nobody can say them nay.

The concept seems kind of unclear.

I have never spoken in tongues nor heard anyone who spoke in tongues. I have had occasions where the Goddess spoke through me and I was not in control of what I was saying ... but She always used English.


Thank you for this post....I don't even own a Bible ...and I wouldn't now how to look anything up and I had heard about this part....I have a dear Methodist friend that said I needed to read this and maybe it would make it clearer.... and it sort of does.

We will have a grand discussion over our next cup of Chai

But I hear you on the Goddess talking through you!!!! Wish I sounded so clever all the time!

[flar7]

Originally posted by Demeter
Where does it say this? The only thing I've been able to find in the Bible on tongues was the chapter in Acts where it specifically says when people spoke in tongues the listeners DID NOT NEED an interpreter, they heard their own languages clearly.

1 Cor. 14. "27 If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret.
28 But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God."

basically that whole section in that area is about speaking in
tongues.
;)

[Twilight Garden]

My mom was an interpreter once. She went to a very calm church, where no one does this speaking in tongues thing. She had never met anyone who ever did this. One night she was at a bible study group and they said a prayer at the end of the night. While they were praying one woman in the group started babbling in some foreign language. My mom new exactly what she was saying without knowing the language. She started thinking to herself, "Am I the interpreter? Nah." But no one else was speaking. So she finally spoke what came to her. She said it was very surreal. I've never personally experienced anyone doing such a thing, but from my mothers experience I feel certain that it can happen and is a very real thing.

[Élistariel]

I've never tried speaking in tongues, I'm not a talkative person. I have "written in tongues". I just type what pops into my head instead of saying it. Fun with spelling during the translations. Here's an example, I used altavista's babelfish Russian to translate.
Tongues : secek cu wee um dei tu lat komode su wei na mary em te thayer sume ep tu cana di syn qua
Translation : choppings chew to the neck the mind days that armor the chest of drawers the sou the neck on the fog I will eat those THAYER to the bag EP that the vat day the son QUA
* the caps are the only words I couldn't translate
true, it's doesn't make any sense, to me at least, but only 3 words didn't translate...

[st0rm]

hehe.. I have had similar experiences, while riding on the bus I began speaking/singing in a strange language, I didnt really notive it my self before the ppl around me started giving me strange looks.... :D

[Élistariel]

I found a latin-english translator. It doesn't have conjugations, so the grammar for my bad latin translations is crap. the capitalized words are the ones that I couldn't find. Oh, this is the same phrase as before. I'm going by pronounciation, not spelling.
Well translated from latin. Pardon the crud grammar. I don't always finish my "speaking tongues" It just "comes out" in snippets.

"Itself to whom UM concerning you extensively THERA the highest part you CANA before, however, QUA."

I'll look up those words and repost as I find info

[Old Witch]

I love this place.....thought I was the only witch in the world who had spoken in tongues.........I was a little bit worried.......I have actually been meditating on it lately......Whew!!:)

[WandererInGray]

Originally posted by Maren Themah
Here's an example, I used altavista's babelfish Russian to translate.
Tongues : secek cu wee um dei tu lat komode su wei na mary em te thayer sume ep tu cana di syn qua
Translation : choppings chew to the neck the mind days that armor the chest of drawers the sou the neck on the fog I will eat those THAYER to the bag EP that the vat day the son QUA

:huh: Puzzling....

Babelfish Russian to English isn't really an accurate translation into Russian since you have to have Cyrillic letters, not the phonetic English of the word to translate properly.

And in all honesty, none of those words are familiar to me as phonetic representations of actual Russian words.

Unfortunately the text doesn't support Cyrillic letters here, or I'd give some examples of Russian words for what the babelfish supplied.
Can give a phonetic example though: Choppings - Raskalvanye is probably the closest phonetic for that word.

*soft smile* I have a degree in Russian Language and Literature, sorry couldn't help myself.

Edited to add....and in the oddest move yet, the correct Cyrillic word for Chopping (retrieved from PROM's Online translator) that I put into Babelfish translation came out as "cleavage"....ooookay.

[Gwion]

It sounds like a verbal variant of St Vitus Dance. Let me try (Ahem) "Ooh-ee-ooh-ah-ah, ting-tang, walla walla, bing-bang, Ooh-ee-ooh-ah-ah, ting-tang, walla walla, bing-bang!"

[Élistariel]

Originally posted by WandererInGray
:huh: Puzzling....

Edited to add....and in the oddest move yet, the correct Cyrillic word for Chopping (retrieved from PROM's Online translator) that I put into Babelfish translation came out as "cleavage"....ooookay.

Hahahaha, babelfish has never made sense to me either. I'll have to look for that PROM thing you mentioned. It was just the only translator thing I knew of.

[FlamedLilly]

I was raised mormon, and we were always taught that speaking tongues was more like when you're in a forgien country and you don't speak the language and all of a sudden you need to speak the language and you can. It doesn't mean you understand what you're saying but who ever you're speaking it to understands what you are saying.

[WandererInGray]

*grins* Well that should be expected from a site named after a fish in a Douglas Adams' book. :D

Here's the site, sorry forgot my "t" in it the first time. PROMT's online tranlations.
http://www.translate.ru/eng/

[Gwion]

Her lyrics are all of her own making, yet her songs are hauntingly beautiful, and the meaning comes through in a very visceral level.

[WynterWynd]

Originally posted by Gwion
It sounds like a verbal variant of St Vitus Dance. Let me try (Ahem) "Ooh-ee-ooh-ah-ah, ting-tang, walla walla, bing-bang, Ooh-ee-ooh-ah-ah, ting-tang, walla walla, bing-bang!"


Now yor speaking my kind of 'tounges';)

Hubby and I use to go to a 'good ol' Southern Baptist' church in Texas, one of those really big ones, catchya on the tv type churches (this was many moons ago) and those church members would fall out and speak tounges.....every Sunday, like clock work!! But I never once noticed an interpreter!!:rolleyes: I just didn't know what to think about those people:p

[Zaniah]

I witnessed several instances of people speaking in tongues when I was also in a Pentacostal church. It always made me feel weird. Uncomfortable even (my congregation would have said that that means the devil in me can't stand to witness the holy spirit, but anyway).
I agree with the kind of 'possession' description of it. As for the interpreter... I've only witnessed that they too are taken over by the spirit and translate in english (or whatever)... I think They'd have to speak in tongues first to get the congregation's attention. I certainly don't contest that it could be a valid message, because just because I believe in the older gods doesn't mean I think a Christian god doesn't exist.


Originally posted by Demeter

I have never spoken in tongues nor heard anyone who spoke in tongues. I have had occasions where the Goddess spoke through me and I was not in control of what I was saying ... but She always used English.

I too have had such occasions. Hard to describe, but incredible.