# some related questions about talking in tongues

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-related-questions-about-talking-in-tongues/478804>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [December 27, 2008, 2:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-related-questions-about-talking-in-tongues/478804 "2008-12-27T02:46:50Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 2

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**Author:** ![scm1001](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c4cdca/32.png) [@scm1001](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scm1001)\
**Post date:** [December 28, 2008, 1:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-related-questions-about-talking-in-tongues/478804/21 "2008-12-28T01:08:43Z")

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I went along with my pentecostal wife to a couple of church sessions where they were speaking in tongues. She was adamant afterwards that it must be real as she couldnt have done it. I could easily imitate the sounds and showed her and she never mentioned it again.  
Anyway here are some videos. I sure there are much better ones out there and many are made by sceptical people imitating the sounds rather than being under the influence, but to my ear they sounded like what I heard so it will give you an idea  
[http://revival.aimoo.com/Speaking-in-Tongues/Speaking-in-tongues-videos-on--1-408083.html](http://revival.aimoo.com/Speaking-in-Tongues/Speaking-in-tongues-videos-on--1-408083.html)

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**Author:** ![Monstera\_deliciosa](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/monstera_deliciosa/32/109_2.png) [@Monstera\_deliciosa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monstera_deliciosa)\
**Post date:** [December 28, 2008, 2:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-related-questions-about-talking-in-tongues/478804/22 "2008-12-28T02:54:59Z")

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> [@Kalhoun](#):
>
> Who speaks glossolalia today? Also, why that and not another language (one that would be understandable to those witnessing the act)?

In my experience (predominately Black evangelical churches), the persons “speaking in tongues” are not trying to be understood, and no one thinks they ought to be understood. Their vocalizations are merely considered evidence of being possessed by the holy spirit.

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**Author:** ![scm1001](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c4cdca/32.png) [@scm1001](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scm1001)\
**Post date:** [December 29, 2008, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-related-questions-about-talking-in-tongues/478804/23 "2008-12-29T20:35:37Z")

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> [@Monstera\_deliciosa](#):
>
> In my experience (predominately Black evangelical churches), the persons “speaking in tongues” are not trying to be understood, and no one thinks they ought to be understood. Their vocalizations are merely considered evidence of being possessed by the holy spirit.

however in many other churches it is considered that if the glossonalia isnt “translated” then it is wrong - there is some verse in the NT that alludes to this but I am too lazy to look it up , one of Pauls letters I think

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