The passionate, sometimes rhythmic, language-like patter that pours forth from religious people who “speak in tongues” reflects a state of mental possession, many of them say. Now they have some neuroscience to back them up.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania took brain images of five women while they spoke in tongues and found that their frontal lobes — the thinking, willful part of the brain through which people control what they do — were relatively quiet, as were the language centers. The regions involved in maintaining self-consciousness were active. The women were not in blind trances, and it was unclear which region was driving the behavior.
The images, appearing in the current issue of the journal Psychiatry Research: Neuroimaging, pinpoint the most active areas of the brain. The images are the first of their kind taken during this spoken religious practice, which has roots in the Old and New Testaments and in charismatic churches established in the United States around the turn of the 19th century. The women in the study were healthy, active churchgoers.
“The amazing thing was how the images supported people’s interpretation of what was happening,” said Dr. Andrew B. Newberg, leader of the study team, which included Donna Morgan, Nancy Wintering and Mark Waldman. “The way they describe it, and what they believe, is that God is talking through them,” he said.
Contrary to what may be a common perception, studies suggest that people who speak in tongues rarely suffer from mental problems. A recent study of nearly 1,000 evangelical Christians in England found that those who engaged in the practice were more emotionally stable than those who did not. Researchers have identified at least two forms of the practice, one ecstatic and frenzied, the other subdued and nearly silent.
The new findings contrasted sharply with images taken of other spiritually inspired mental states like meditation, which is often a highly focused mental exercise, activating the frontal lobes.
Language Center of the Brain Is Not Under the Control of Subjects Who “Speak in Tongues”
Speaking in Tongues: Alternative Voices in Faith
PROPHECY 90
What is the NAME of the HOLY SPIRIT? What is the NAME of the RUACH HA KODESH?
February 27, 2007
I AM MOMMA SHKHINYAH; the ONE that speaks forth in Holy tongues as described in the book of Acts.
I AM MOMMA SHKHINYAH, MOMMA WISDOM.
Others call ME THE HOLY SPIRIT or RUACH HA KODESH
—this is MY Title, and it is MY Description of WHO
I AM, THE SPIRIT OF YAHUVEH. We are ALL ONE.
…
Beloved daughter Elisabeth [Elisheva], I have given you the Anointing to speak forth and interpret what the heavenly Holy Tongues are speaking. You speak in languages of heavenly Holy angels and diverse languages of men.
You can understand the languages only as I give you the gift of interpretation in your own language. At times I protect you, so you do not know what you are praying, for it would overwhelm your flesh as you speak in heavenly Holy tongues.
Other times I choose to speak forth out of you in the Holy tongues of the languages of men that you have not learned (Acts 2:4), but most of the time it is the languages of the heavenly Holy angels, as the Scriptures state in the Book of 1 Corinthians 13:1.
When I choose to speak forth from you in tongues of a Holy angel, and no interpretation is given to you, it is because satan and his demons cannot understand what is being prayed or spoken. It is not for their ears to hear.
It is not always necessary for you to receive the interpretation of the tongues, but YAHUVEH hears and HE answers your prayers, though you know not what you are praying for many times.
Sometimes you are praying for people you do not even know—you are interceding for Holy people around the world. Many times you are praying for your own personal needs, or healing for you or others. Many times you are praying for blessings on the Holy Bride & Guests, or Mercy & Salvation for the black sheep to return to the ONLY GOOD SHEPHERD, YAHUSHUA HA MASHIACH.
Other times you are praying for Judgment & Vengeance of YAHUVEH on the servants of satan and those fit for YAHUVEH’S Winepress of Wrath. There is NO distance in prayer. Study and show yourself approved.
Did not MY SON, YAHUSHUA HA MASHIACH, say, “John baptized you with water, but I baptize you with the FIRE OF THE RUACH HA KODESH” (Acts 1:5)? I AM also called the HOLY SPIRIT & HOLY GHOST. YAHUSHUA uses ME to fill up those that are Holy to overflowing with MY Anointing, which is Holy signs, wonders and miracles for those that truly love and put YAHUVEH & YAHUSHUA first in their lives and love.
…
I warn now, anyone that denies or insults what Shaul (Apostle Paul) taught about the reality of the Holy gifts of the RUACH HA KODESH, REPENT NOW. For you have insulted and grieved to the extent your soul is at stake!
PROPHECY 92
Be of Good Cheer for I, YAHUSHUA HA MASHIACH, AM the Only GOOD SHEPHERD and I Beat the Wolves Away!
October 27, 2007
Elisabeth rebuked her and reminded her of what is written in the Book of Acts [and] that speaking in Holy unknown tongues is speaking in tongues of men and angels (1 Cor 13:1). Sherry Shriner argued back and said, “Paul taught that and you have to throw it out.”
Sherry Shriner mocks speaking in Holy tongues. She mocks because satan at one time by her own testimony gave her demonic tongues. This is because Sherry Shriner had head knowledge and no heart knowledge of the ONE she called “JESUS CHRIST” at the time. Now to confuse people, she calls what the Book of Acts calls speaking in an unknown tongue the “work of the devil.”