[net.misc] Speaking in unknown languages

arens@UCBKIM (01/29/83)

From: arens@UCBKIM (Yigal Arens)
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In his message titled "unknown" from 1-26, Cliff Morgan (tektronix!cliffm)
mentions as what he considers to be one of the manifestations of his god's
presence "speaking in unknown languages".

I assume this is a reference to what is known also as "speaking in tongues",
and I've always wondered about this phenomenon.

What is it?  What happens when it takes place, and what do the believers
think it signifies?  Anybody see it?  Experience it personally?

Proud to be a curious anti-theist,

Yigal Arens
UC Berkeley

gh (01/30/83)

The "speaking in tongues" phenomenon is known technically as glossolalia,
and there are psychological studies of it (at least one book -- sorry I
don't recall the author or exact title -- and many papers).  It seems fairly
clear that the phenomenon is related to hypnotic states, and there is a
strong correlation between tongue-speaking ability and hypnotizability.

In charismatic Christian circles, both glossolalia and the ability to
"interpret" the message are considered to be gifts ("charisma", in the
pre-1965 sense of the word) from God.  I have known tongue-speakers; they
considered it a very personal matter, and did not like to discuss it with
non-charismatics.

	Graeme Hirst, Brown University
	!{decvax, vax135, yale-comix}!brunix!gh

hdj (01/30/83)

I believe that "speaking in tongues" is also known as
"glossolalia."


		Herb Jellinek (:-)
		SDC (a Burroughs Company) R&D
		burdvax!hdj
		215-648-7456

paul (01/31/83)

Speaking in tongues -- there are two "explanantions".  One is that the
unknown tongues are in some sense the language of angels, and you speaking
it is evidence of direct divine inspiration.  The other is that the 
unknown languages were forgotten by man after the fall of the Tower of Babel,
and the only beings that know those languages now are God, angels, etc.
and they directly inspire the mortal speaker here on earth.

Anyway, it is evidence of God's presence in the room, world, etc., actib
oops actively intervening in our earthly lives.