Friday, April 23, 2010

19. Speaking in Tongues


Speaking in tongues is defined in the Charismatic and Pentecostal Christian religion as an “individual's salvation through the Baptism of the Holy Spirit."However, that may be a very bold claim to make for a state of heightened neurological consciousness, similar to that of a sexual orgasm, which caninvariably be seen in other cultures and religions in correlation to the contextin which it is experienced. During a sexual climax, the brain reaches a certain state of euphoria, which is similar to what those who experience the speaking intongues marvel. Since the Christian belief system seems to classify speaking in tongues as a gift from the Holy Spirit, this should signify that it is only Christians who may experience this mystical phenomenon. However, everyone iscapable of reaching this heightened state of mind given the right circumstances and context. Speaking in tongues is not reserved to only those belonging to the Christian faith because it may be explained through other means such as a neurological state of mind rather than a religious experience where the Holy Spirit blesses you with a gift of speaking a language you are unfamiliar with. When Christians experience this phenomenon, they transfer and project it into a theological gift from God instead of crediting their own complex neurology. Therefore, speaking in tongues is not a unique experience solely for Christians, but a merely a state of super consciousness. Each individual’s experience with speaking in tongues varies within the surrounding they are present in, as well as their culture. The ability to have this experience has nothing to do with religion whatsoever; rather it has everything to do with the powers and capabilities of an individual’s mind. However, the way they interpret the experience is relative to each person’s cultural upbringing and attributed to the ways in which they were raised.

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