Pentacostals believe that speaking in tongues is proof that they've been baptized in the Holy Spirit. It so happens though that what they call speaking in tongues actually is something entirely different. According to Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glossolalia Glossolalia or (speaking in tongues) is the fluid vocalizing of speech-like syllables that lack any readily comprehended meaning, in some cases as part of religious practice Do you think that "speaking in tongues" is proof that the speaker is filled with the Holy Spirit?
I think it is although typically people tell of some who speak fluent foreign languages. As wiyh most miracles they heard ot from a friend of a friend.
I've been to many churches and heard the people "speaking in tongues" but the how can it be that all people in one church should speak the same language? If they are indeed speaking in tongues then shouldn't they all be speaking in different languages? Thinking it over I figured that these people learn the "language" from others and the acquisition process continues "downstream."
I, personally, have never done it. I have not experienced it, and I have only witnessed it. I think it is legit to an extent. There are some people in church who just want attention, and I think that is where part of that comes in.
While I'm sure that religious people may take that as a sign of being filled with the spirit, I don't think many other people will do, and I certainly don't. There seems to be a lot of traditions involved with any sort of religion, and I think this is just another example of that.
I don't really think that there is any true about these stories honestly as they are quite fancy and reminds me a bit the classic fantasy book/film that talks about supernatural.
I don't think it Is a legitimate thing. I have seen people doing this in church. People who don't speak a certain language are not going to be "overcome with the spirit" and suddenly start doing it. It is totally strange to see in person. It sounds like they are speaking in Aramaic or some kind of ancient language. The bible does discuss this, but I think legitimate examples are far and few between.
I think it is evidence of mental illness in all likelihood. Remember, back then there was no suck thing as mental disease, it was all either bad choices or consumed by the Devil (possessed). Exorcisms were the smart thing to do, ya know. What cracks me up is that they are still going on. When people do it today I believe, since I have no reason to think it would be something else, that it is just people putting it on for the benefit of the church or for attention, as AtlantaSports suggested.
I've personally never experienced it, but I've heard many people who've had the opportunity. Some of them said it was kind of bizarre, but that they understood it because to them it's also a symbol that represents the grace of the god they believe in. It probably has something related to dementia and delusions but no one can know for sure.