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So much and/or way too much time on a person's hands. Hard to imagine in any case. Either way, a fair reminder that has me thinking to better spend my time now as I sign off again...
While at risk of offending anyone who, for whatever reason, claims to speak in a supposed 'prayer language', it is still officially 'babble' which is, by definition, meaningless jabber. That it's touted as being 'personal' and claimed as 'prayer' does not change this fact. Allowances, prayer or otherwise, cannot be made for unintelligible prattle unless one chooses to keep it to themselves, in which case they can babble in private to their heart's content.
Again, biblical 'tongues' were known languages but perhaps not recognized (i.e., they were unknown) to the hearer.
In 30 years of being a Christian I can't say I've ever seen what seemed to be an authentic use of tongues. I have seen plenty of what appeared to be inauthentic expressions, and uses that would have been condemned by the apostles.
I have. And it happened to me. ALONE and not in a large megachurch. There are so many misconception here, by many posters - and several knowledgeable posts.
I wasn't raised in a denomination that believed in external manifestations of gifts of the spirit. However, along with Roman Catholics, in the late 70s through 1990s, there were also "Charismatic" Lutherans and "Episcopalians".
The main difference between Pentecostal and Charismatic is the former's insistence on "holiness" and "sanctification". The Methodists are "Holiness" in their theology, to an extent.
Dring this time, a group of seekers and I visited many Pentecostal and Charismatic churches. Up thread I mentioned that I spoke in tongues. Once it was spontaneous.
I saw huckster preachers who pushed people HARD so make it look as though they were "slain in the spirit". And I went to a rundown little Assembly of God with a pastor who was brought up Baptist. I spoke in tongues there and I was slain in the spirit.
We all went to a small Episcopal church that had become charismatic. I spoke in tongues there, also.
I am uncomfortable with saying all Pentecostals are "inauthentic". They are not. SOME are. Some Baptists are, too.
Many Baptist Churches say "all tongues are demonic". Not true. Unless you have heard Godly tongues and demonic tongues at a deliverance session, you say that. If you were open minded enough to listen to Christian tongues - as opposed to the "other", you would know the difference.
Once you have heard demonic tongues at a deliverance, you never forget that sound.
Okay, how about I throw out a challenge? For those of you who claim to know, can you identify from the following examples 'tongues' that are 'authentic' and those that are not?
That's interesting, I just assumed it was on the decline everywhere since it's not as prevalent in the South any longer. Not that it isn't still a thing, it just isn't so overwhelmingly present. Those Northern heathens have moved in and taken over so I'm not surprised they have been infiltrating our churches with science lies.
Huh, middle class? Since they are in the majority now, that means the study is wrong.
The study does not claim that the entire middle class is speaking in tongues.
In any case the middle class is shrinking fast. At this rate, it will soon be mostly poor and rich with nothing in between.
I am not aware of a single tongues-speaking church in my area of central NY although there used to be a storefront church downtown that had one of those tortured names like "full gospel holiness church of god in christ" or some such, that probably did it. It's a convenience store now.
Once you have heard demonic tongues at a deliverance, you never forget that sound.
Me too, in the car and it continues while I'm alone.
Fascinating, I have never heard of demonic tongues...and glad I haven't; I don't open to those kinds of things.
But, here I am I actually wrote the word out!
Loved your post, all the speculations and opinions are not my cup of tea...outsiders lookin' on,
while Richard Dreyfus went up into the space ship...that's the guy to talk to.
3 to 6 hours a sitting for 49 years? I can't even imagine...
I know, right? You reach a stillness most have never exp'd...ha, a thought comes in ,"Oh, I'm hardly breathing."
After sitting in stillness about the 3rd hour...oh my, do 'things' happen! (Glorious things.)
I have. And it happened to me. ALONE and not in a large megachurch. There are so many misconception here, by many posters - and several knowledgeable posts.
I wasn't raised in a denomination that believed in external manifestations of gifts of the spirit. However, along with Roman Catholics, in the late 70s through 1990s, there were also "Charismatic" Lutherans and "Episcopalians".
The main difference between Pentecostal and Charismatic is the former's insistence on "holiness" and "sanctification". The Methodists are "Holiness" in their theology, to an extent.
Dring this time, a group of seekers and I visited many Pentecostal and Charismatic churches. Up thread I mentioned that I spoke in tongues. Once it was spontaneous.
I saw huckster preachers who pushed people HARD so make it look as though they were "slain in the spirit". And I went to a rundown little Assembly of God with a pastor who was brought up Baptist. I spoke in tongues there and I was slain in the spirit.
We all went to a small Episcopal church that had become charismatic. I spoke in tongues there, also.
I am uncomfortable with saying all Pentecostals are "inauthentic". They are not. SOME are. Some Baptists are, too.
Many Baptist Churches say "all tongues are demonic". Not true. Unless you have heard Godly tongues and demonic tongues at a deliverance session, you say that. If you were open minded enough to listen to Christian tongues - as opposed to the "other", you would know the difference.
Once you have heard demonic tongues at a deliverance, you never forget that sound.
OMG, I could have been watching Yellowstone all this time!
I was thinking more like volunteer work. Helping others.
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You reach a stillness most have never exp'd...ha, a thought comes in ,"Oh, I'm hardly breathing." 
(Glorious things.)