Thursday, November 09, 2006

A Neuroscientific Look at Speaking in Tongues

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"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."

Got your attention? This is an amazing article on a scientific study on speaking in tongues. Here are some quotes from it:

"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 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."

"Ms. Morgan, a co-author of the study, was also a research subject. She is a born-again Christian who says she considers the ability to speak in tongues a gift. “You’re aware of your surroundings,” she said. “You’re not really out of control. But you have no control over what’s happening. You’re just flowing. You’re in a realm of peace and comfort, and it’s a fantastic feeling.”

"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."

1 Cor 14:18
I'm grateful to God for the gift of praying in tongues that he gives us for praising him, which leads to wonderful intimacies we enjoy with him. I enter into this as much or more than any of you. THE MESSAGE

Looks like science is once again confirming God's Word! Imagine that!!!

Here is the link to entire article.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Someone show show this article to Dr. Paige Patterson, what do you think?

Rebecca said...

I don't know you and I stumbled upon your blog by accident. I find it very...well...nice. Thank you.

Sometimes I feel like I am not very close to God anymore and then I find something like your blog. Again, thanks for sharing. Please keep writing.