Rejection of the Charasmatics and Biblical Literalism

Evidence of tongues in medieval times is sparse, probably because the Roman Catholic Church was so effective in silencing "heretics." Nevertheless, there are reports of speaking in tongues among the following groups:(1) Waldenses, 1100's, Europe. [192] A group that rejected papal authority and attempted to base their beliefs solely on the Bible.(2) Albigenses, 1100's, Europe. [193] Another group that rejected papal authority and emphasized purity of life.(3) Franciscans and possibly other mendicant orders, 1200's, Europe. [194] Catholic monks who embraced a very simple lifestyle and traveled throughout the countryside preaching.The Reformation Era Forward
Reports of speaking in tongues increase greatly after the Protestant Reformation, due to several factors: 1) greater religious freedom, (2) renewed emphasis on Bible study, apostolic doctrine, conversion, and spiritual experiences, (3) the invention of printing, and (4) the closer proximity to our time. According to respected historians, speaking in tongues has occurred among many groups (from 1500 to 1900):(1) Anabaptists, 1500's, Europe. [195] One of the four main branches of the early Protestant movement (along with Lutherans, Reformed, and Anglicans). Unlike other Protestants, the Anabaptists emphasized the restoration of apostolic patterns of worship and lifestyle, the importance of a conversion experience, baptism of believers only, baptism by immersion, total separation of church and state, the power to overcome sin after conversion, and the need to live a holy life. A prominent Anabaptist leader named Menno Simons, whose followers became known as Mennonites, wrote about speaking in tongues as if it were expected evidence of receiving the Holy Ghost. [196] Many early Anabaptists worshiped quite demonstratively; in the words of a secular history text some participated in "very excited, 'enthusiastic,' evangelical practices . what Americans know as 'holy rolling' . The congregation sometimes shouted and danced, and always sang hymns with great fervor." [197] In view of their doctrine and worship, it is not at all surprising that speaking in tongues occurred among early Anabaptists.(2) Prophecy movement, 1500's, England. [198](3) Camisards, 1600's and 1700's, southern France (often called the Prophets of the Cevennes). [199] A group of Huguenots (French Protestants), mostly peasants, who resisted the attempts of Louis XIV's government to convert them to Roman Catholicism. Many were imprisoned, tortured, and martyred. Observers reported tongues, uneducated peasants and young children prophesying in pure, elegant French, enthusiastic, demonstrative worship, and people "seized by the Spirit."(4) Quakers, 1600's, England. [200] A group that emphasized spiritual experience and waited on the moving of the Spirit in their services. The early Quakers received their name because they literally "quaked" under the power of the Spirit.(5) Jansenists, 1600's and 1700's, France. [201] A Catholic reform movement.(6) Pietists (including Moravians), late 1600's, Germany. [202] The Pietists emphasized spiritual experience and Christian living.(7) Converts of Camisards, early 1700's, England. [203] Some Camisards fled to England to avoid persecution, making converts there.(8) Methodists, 1700's, England, particularly in the revivals of Wesley and Whitefield and in later American revivals. [204]Wesley himself believed that the gifts of the Spirit had practically disappeared but that a fully restored church would have them again. [205] When a certain Dr. Middleton wrote that the gift of tongues was absent from later church history, Wesley replied that (1) many ancient writings are no longer extant, (2) many Christians wrote no books, (3) the ante-Nicene fathers do not say tongues ceased with the apostles, and (4) just because tongues was not specifically recorded does not mean it was not practiced. [206] He said, "Many may have spoken with new tongues, of whom this is not recorded; at least, the records are lost in a course of so many years." [207] In reply to the objection that tongues did not exist in his time, Wesley replied, "It has been heard of more than once, no farther off than the valleys of Dauphiny" [southern France]. [208]We should also note the strong emphasis on repentance and physical demonstrations in the Methodist revivals. One hostile historian wrote, "Extreme emotional disturbances, ecstasies and bodily seizures of various sorts were common in the Wesleyan Revival of the eighteenth century in England," with people in Wesley's meetings exhibiting "violent motor reactions . convulsions and shakings" and screaming. [209] Similar phenomena occurred in the Great Awakening, a period of American revival in the 1700's led by Jonathan Edwards, George Whitefield, and others. [210](9) Revivals and Camp Meetings, 1800's, America. It is reported that physical demonstrations occurred in later American revivals, called the Second Awakening, which began with camp meetings in Kentucky and swept across the American frontier. [211] In the camp meetings people "shouted, sobbed, leaped in the air, writhed on the ground, fell like dead men and lay insensible for considerable periods, and engaged in unusual bodily contortions," in addition to manifesting the "holy laugh," the "barks," and the "jerks." [212] Observers at various American revival meetings reported sobbing, shrieking, shouting, spasms, falling, rolling, running, dancing, barking, whole congregations breathing in distress and weeping, and hundreds under conviction and on the ground repenting. [213]These meetings were conducted by Methodists, Baptists, some Presbyterians, and later the Holiness movement. With such a strong emphasis on repentance and free, demonstrative worship, it is not surprising that many people received the Holy Spirit and spoke in tongues. A great revival swept the University of Georgia in 1800-1801, and the students "shouted and talked in unknown tongues." [214]In many cases tongues speaking went unreported because observers did not recognize it or its significance and did not distinguish it from other physical phenomena. One historian said, "Throughout the nineteenth century speaking in unknown tongues occurred occasionally in the revivals and camp meetings that dotted the countryside. Perhaps the phenomenon was considered just another of the many evidences that one had been saved or sanctified." [215]

At 4, had a life-changing spiritual
transformation, converting the family to Christianity...
The inspiration for her art and literature comes from her visions, dreams,

Paints from imagination, reference materials and models.

That doesn't mean I "believe" in it. I don't rule out "genuine" speaking-in-tongues completely, but I'm not convinced that any of the instances that I have witnessed were genuine. Nor would I say that all "non-genuine" instances were deliberately faked - I was only replying to a specific comment of Faith's. I can think of lots of other (i.e. better) explanations for what appears to be speaking in tongues.

jar writes:It appears to me that many people, theists and atheists alike, simply seek answers to questions, too few seek answers to question.

As far as legitimate tongues, my wife has met quite a few fakers in her day, but she says that she knows of only one person who could truly speak to God in tongues

Randmans Source writes: Revivals and Camp Meetings, 1800's, America. It is reported that physical demonstrations occurred in later American revivals, called the Second Awakening, which began with camp meetings in Kentucky and swept across the American frontier. [211] In the camp meetings people "shouted, sobbed, leaped in the air, writhed on the ground, fell like dead men and lay insensible for considerable periods, and engaged in unusual bodily contortions," in addition to manifesting the "holy laugh," the "barks," and the "jerks." [212] Observers at various American revival meetings reported sobbing, shrieking, shouting, spasms, falling, rolling, running, dancing, barking, whole congregations breathing in distress and weeping, and hundreds under conviction and on the ground repenting. [213]
These meetings were conducted by Methodists, Baptists, some Presbyterians, and later the Holiness movement.

My Mother and others who were outside the group thought my behavior rather strange and excessive.

I really would like you to explain this because,unless your wife is God's secretary, one must wonder how such a conclusion is arrived at.

The same type of behavior can be seen in many modern groups in our current day.

The social Psychological study of group behavior and reinforcement would explain a lot of this stuff.