Scientific Research on “Speaking in Tongues”

“Speaking in tongues,” or “Glossolalia” as it is referred to by academics, has been around for thousands of years, and is referenced by both the Hebrew Scriptures and the New Testament. Although the individual is seemingly speaking in an incomprehensible language, it still seems to have tremendous personal meaning. Now in perhaps the first study of its kind, researchers from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine have conducted a study on the brain patterns of those engaged in Glossolalia – they are attempting to explain what happens physiologically to the brain of someone while speaking in tongues – and their findings make for interesting reading.

This is because they have discovered that the language centre of the brain is not under the control of subjects who speak in tongues. There was decreased activity in the frontal lobes, an area of the brain associated with being in control of one’s self. Radiology investigators observed increased or decreased brain activity by measuring cerebral blood flow with SPECT (Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography) imaging while the subjects spoke in tongues. They then compared the imaging to what happened when the same subjects sang gospel music.

“We noticed a number of changes that occurred functionally in the brain,” commented Principal Investigator Andrew Newberg, MD, Associate Professor of Radiology, Psychiatry, and Religious Studies, and Director for the Center for Spirituality and the Mind, at Penn. “Our finding of decreased activity in the frontal lobes during the practice of speaking in tongues is fascinating because these subjects truly believe that the spirit of God is moving through them and controlling them to speak. Our brain imaging research shows us that these subjects are not in control of the usual language centers during this activity, which is consistent with their description of a lack of intentional control while speaking in tongues.”

Newberg went on to explain, “These findings could be interpreted as the subject’s sense of self being taken over by something else. We, scientifically, assume it’s being taken over by another part of the brain, but we couldn’t see, in this imaging study, where this took place. We believe this is the first scientific imaging study evaluating changes in cerebral activity -- looking at what actually happens to the brain -- when someone is speaking in tongues. This study also showed a number of other changes in the brain, including those areas involved in emotions and establishing our sense of self.”

'Jesus was HIV-positive' – pastor’s sermon challenges South African Christians

A few Sundays ago, Pastor Xola Skosana took an HIV test in front of his entire congregation and encouraged others to do likewise, says the U.K. based The Guardian.

The HIV test was accompanied by a provocative sermon entitled "Jesus was HIV-positive." Xola Skosana’s desire is to make South African Christians think more carefully about what he sees as a “conspiracy of silence” by the South African church regarding HIV, and its continued stigmatization as evil and a sin. All this in a country where nearly a thousand people die a day from Aids related illnesses.

One hundred young people from Skosana’s church, the non-denominational Way of Life church based in Khayelitsha , Cape Town, joined him in taking the test. Skosana acknowledged that his sermon title was designed to shock and draw attention to "a very serious issue".

"In many parts of the Bible, God put himself in the position of the destitute, the sick, the marginalised," he stated. "When we attend to those who are sick, we are attending to him. When we ignore people who are sick, we are ignoring him."
Skosana quoted the Scriptural passage where Jesus said: "I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me."

However, Skosana made note of the aggressive opposition he has faced from some Christians as a result of his message.

"The scathing attacks I've received from Christians are unbelievable," he said. "They're saying you can't reconcile Jesus and Aids. They assume it means Jesus was promiscuous and had a louche lifestyle with many sexual partners."

"It baffles me why in the church this is the most untalked-about subject," Skosana went on to say. "If I went to church and never heard the pastor talk about this, I would assume I must go home and die in silence. The message is that it's an unpardonable sin and we must just forget about HIV/Aids.”

"My responsibility as a pastor is to open a Bible and paint a picture of a God who cares for people and wants the best for them, not who judges them and is ashamed of them."

HIV/Aids has impacted Skosana’s life personally as he has lost two sisters to the pandemic. Skosana urged other churches to be more open about the subject. "I hope this will change the paradigm, especially in the Pentecostal background. I come from the Pentecostal background and I know this discussion is totally alien there."

In a blog article he wrote as a result of Skosana’s sermon, the academic and author Dr. Dion Forster fully supported these views and provided some further theological and scriptural backing for them.

Forster points out that:
“Christians believe, according to Paul's theology, that the Church is the "body of Christ" (see for example 1 Corinthians 12:12, Colossians 1:18). If there are members of the Church that are HIV positive then the Body of Christ is HIV positive.”

Forster goes onto say that “we are responsible for one another, and as such the whole Church (all across the world) must consider itself HIV +. The HI virus infects the whole of the body. Unlike cancer one cannot remove the ailing part of the body. The virus affects every part of the body.”

Forster also quotes a paper he wrote for the Epworth Review, a theological journal where he says, “One of the most controversial statements in the contemporary Church is surely the assertion that ‘The Church has AIDS’! This statement challenges Christians to recognize that it is impossible to do theology and engage in Christian life and ministry without taking into account the impact of HIV and AIDS on the world...”

(You can read Dr. Forster's blog at www.dionforster.com).

Strikes in South Africa: The good news behind the bad

Over the last few weeks, a post-World Cup hangover has hit South Africa hard. Many South Africans already feeling somewhat uneasy due the government’s proposal to regulate the press through a media tribunal, have been further horrified by the violent actions of many strikers involved in the public services strike. While most are entirely sympathetic to the plight of public sector workers such as nurses and teachers who are hugely undervalued and underpaid, there has been a strong reaction against the intimidatory tactics of strikers, which has included physical violence, and interfered with several essential services such as ICU units.

All of this is why it is like a breath of fresh air to hear some refreshingly good news behind all the bad. Training Methodist ministers from the Pietermaritzburg based Seth Mokitimi Methodist Seminary have had their afternoon classes suspended for the duration of this week so that they would be freed up to serve at Townhill Hospital, a psychiatric facility adjoined to the well known Grey’s Hospital. Like many other public medical facilities, Townhill has been adversely affected by the strikes. Without cleaners or adequate nursing care for well over a week, living conditions have quickly degenerated to appalling degrees for patients.

The initially nervous seminarians, made up of both black and white students, were armed with mops and buckets and spent most of their time cleaning, washing and generally serving as menial servants. Others with nursing or care experience assisted with patient supervision.

This was despite the fact that the students struggled to gain access to Townhill through the picketing strikers outside. The President of the Seminary, the Rev. Dr. Ross Olivier said that he had accompanied the students to ensure their safety and had battled to make the extremely militant strikers understand the role that the Seminary would like to play in serving the patients. In an e-mail, Dr. Olivier explained his experiences in this regard:

“Today was tension-filled, characterised by difficult negotiations with very militant striking workers barricading the hospital gates. I went to meet them prior to the arrival of the bus ferrying our seminarians. They were very angry about our presence in the hospital. I explained our position, viz. that as Christ-followers we stand on two legs, justice and mercy. I told them our commitment to justice draws us into solidarity with every just cause, including the right of the public servants such as teachers, nurses, et cetera who selflessly serve all of us. I further explained that intimidatory actions and especially the denial of treatment to the most vulnerable among us makes it difficult for us to stand alongside them but that we did support their just cause.“

Dr. Olivier went onto say that:

“However I also put forward our case that their differences were with government, not the innocent patients being denied vital care. Mercy compels us to attend to them as we are able. After strident negotiations that improved as I was led up the NEHAWU ladder (I eventually negotiated directly with the Regional Secretary for the Harry Gwala Region) we carved open a small window. In exchange for my presence at the march to the legislature tomorrow, the bus-load of seminarians, accompanied by a shop-steward, were allowed to enter the hospital for approximately two and a half hours. Once again blessed relief was brought to the patients (and staff) by the service of our magnificent seminarians.”

In other news, the Presiding Bishop of the Methodist Church of Southern Africa, Rev. Ivan Abrahams, joined his voice to several others who have condemned the violent methods of some of the strikers. Speaking on behalf of the Methodist Church he affirmed and supported the justice of their cause, but urged all civil servants to demonstrate peacefully, “in full recognition of the rights of the rest of the nation and cognisant of the fact that all that is destroyed today will have to be replaced tomorrow from the same purse.”

(Image from blackacademics.org).

Ugandan President Pleads With African Bishops to Promote Tolerance

The Ugandan President, Yoweri Museveni, spoke at the All Africa Bishops Conference on Tuesday and urged participants to remember that tolerance is a biblical imperative and that those who follow Christ should not “have one minute of time wasted” by those preaching prejudice.

In speaking to the approximately 400 Anglican bishops and other guests from all over Africa, Museveni used the biblical parable of the Good Samaritan to illustrate his message of overcoming differences and pursuing peace and healing.

Museveni also recalled a time in Uganda’s history when Catholics and Protestants were fighting and killing each other.

“I don’t know where they heard God wanted them to fight and kill each other,” he said, as reported by the Anglican Communion News Service.

“A civil war between those calling themselves Catholics and those calling themselves Protestants,” Museveni exclaimed. “Then there was another war between the two of them and Muslims. They were all fighting on behalf of God, they said.”

As he retold the story of the Good Samaritan, Museveni described how prejudice should never block the biblical mandate of peace and helping other human beings.

“I am always looking for the good Samaritan,” Museveni remarked. “Jesus says you shall know them by their fruits. You shall know them by their actions. Not by their words, not by their addresses, not by their titles, but by their works, by their deeds, by the products of their works.”

“We are all created in the image of God,” he added. “I don’t know whether God is black or white or Chinese, but we are created in His image – that’s what the Bible says.”

Museveni was attending the Conference to officially open the seven days of discussion, worship and training. The conference is being held in Entebbe, Uganda and is also being attended by the spiritual head of the worldwide Anglican Communion, the Archbishop of Canterbury Dr. Rowan Williams.

The aims of the conference include mobilizing the bishops to tackle obstacles that continue to keep the African continent in conflict, such as poverty, corruption, poor leadership and disease.

Interestingly enough in the light of his comments, the latter half of Museveni's tenure in power is being marked by increasing concern at his treatment of opposition parties.

Vatican Bans Vuvuzelas

You either love them or hate them, and it seems that the Vatican is in the latter camp. The controversially noisy horn made famous during the recent Soccer World Cup has been banned from the Pope’s four day tour in the U.K. next month, reports The Daily Telegraph.

In anticipation of the pope's visit to the United Kingdom next month, the official papal visit site has a helpful list of what pilgrims coming to the Mass and other events can and cannot bring.

On the do not bring list (among other things) are "alcohol, gazebos and musical instruments."

A green light was given to banners and flags, picnic blankets, torches instead of candles, and of course cameras.

Over 80,000 people are expected to attend the pope’s prayer service in London's Hyde Park on September 18.

Another 65,000 are expected to be present at the formal beatification of English convert Cardinal John Henry Newman in Birmingham, the following day. This ceremony is the last step before official sainthood.

A spokeswoman for the Vatican said: "The banned items are standard concert arrangements.”

"Musical instruments or anything that makes that [vuvuzela] noise would be included in this." Candles were banned for health and safety reasons, she added.

Don’t Do It! Church’s Take a Stand against Planned Quran Burning Event

International controversy has been stirred up by the plans of the nondenominational Dove World Outreach Center to host their self-styled ‘International Burn a Quran Day.’ Newspaper columns and opinion pieces have been filled with varying reactions, with the majority registering dismay and anger at the insensitivity of the planned event.

In the meantime, various churches and church organizations have pleaded with the Gainesville based church to cancel their plans. The National Association of Evangelicals, America’s largest umbrella evangelical group, issued a statement urging the church to call off the event, warning it could cause worldwide tension between the two religions.

Other local Gainesville faith organizations have decided to work together in protest of the event by organizing a ‘Gathering for Peace, Understanding and Hope,’ which will take place on September 10, the night before the planned burning of the Quran.

The Peace Gathering is the brainchild of the Gainesville Interfaith Forum - made up of Christians, Muslims, Jews and Hindus. Trinity United Methodist Church will host the event and their senior minister, Dan Johnson, said on Monday that their plans had been exceptionally well received by church members throughout Gainesville.

"One member told me after church Sunday that they've never been as proud to be a member of this church as they are now," Johnson said.

Johnson went onto emphasise that:
"We feel compelled to raise our voices to proclaim that the action the Dove World Outreach Center is proposing is absolutely wrong and counter to the life and teaching of the Jesus whom we love, follow and call Savior and Lord."

Despite widespread opposition, Dove World Outreach Center has no plans to cancel the event saying that it is doing this in remembrance of 9/11 victims and to take a stand against Islam, which it repeatedly refers to as a religion that is “of the devil”. On its website and Facebook page, the church invites Christians to burn the Muslim holy book at their premises from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

In other news, it appears that the city of Gainesville has denied a burn permit to the center, said Bob Woods, City of Gainesville spokesman. "It was a question of public safety," said Woods. "The Gainesville Fire Department has notified the center through a letter."

But that isn't stopping the church. The Gainesville Sun reported that, in an e-mail newsletter sent out last Wednesday, the church announced: "City of Gainesville denies burn permit - BUT WE WILL STILL BURN KORANS."

(The image depicts Terry Jones, pastor of the Dove World Outreach Center and the International Burn a Quran organiser, standing in front of his church in Gainesville, Florida).

North Korea Executes Leaders of Underground Church

News has only recently filtered through of three underground church leaders who were executed in North Korea in mid-May. Twenty other Christians were imprisoned at the same time.

AsiaNews reports that North Korean police conducted raids in the Pyongan province and arrested all twenty-three believers who had gathered together for worship. The leaders were immediately sentenced to death and executed soon after. The rest were sent to the infamous prison labour camp No. 15 in Yodok.

For the last eight years, Open Doors has ranked North Korea as the world’s worst persecutor of Christians.

There are approximately 400,000 Christians in North Korea who endure life under an oppressive regime which threatens imprisonment, torture or execution if their Christian faith is discovered.

All North Koreans are forced to follow a personality cult revolving around the worship of the current dictator, Kim Jong-il, and his deceased father. All other religious beliefs are banned. As a result, there are an estimated 40,000 to 60,000 Christians are currently in prison labor camps because of their faith.

Due to the government's secretive nature and its reluctance to allow in foreigners, North Korea is today considered the world's most isolated country, thus it is difficult to know exactly what is happening beyond its borders.

(Image from file).