I’m in the process of writing out my message for this weekend’s services at Vineyard Westside. The topic is “Spiritual Weirdness”. Now I’m not sure if you’re the church-going type or not, but I’m curious either way…
What freaks you out?
I’m talking about the supernatural stuff here. Stuff like:
- Speaking in tongues
- Healing the sick
- Prophecy
- Angels
- Demons
- The Holy Spirit
- Laying on of hands
- “falling out” in the Spirit
- Signs and Wonders
- Words of knowledge
What is your, “okay that’s too weird for me” thing?
Re-Tweet this post if you want to hear from others on this topic.
Speaking in tongue and falling out in spirit. It scares the heck out of me. I guess I’m more conservative.
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I would have to say speaking in tongues. And probably falling out in spirit although I have not seen that except maybe some television evangelism guy… How are these things helpful? Seems like they repel people instead of drawing them in.
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I’ve never heard of this “falling out” in the Spirit thing. The concept of speaking in tongues feel very strange to me.
The concept of the Holy Spirit existing and being a part of our lives comforts me more than anything else, though.
For the record, I’m Catholic, baptized as a child but not really educated in the faith until I was an adult (entered college).
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I’ll be interested in what you decide to talk about.
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At one point in my life probably all of the above – but as I’ve aged (maturing in the faith I hope) I’ve seen the manifestations of Holy Spirit and not been “freaked out”. Some of our pentecostal brethren often talk about churchianity rather than Christianity – that Americans are hung up on church rather than on Christ. Will be interested in seeing both comments and what you choose to talk about – there is a major difference between faith in action or a performance.
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I think speaking in tongues and laying of hands freaks me out. I was visiting a church with a friend and they felt drawn to anoint me with oil & lay hands and that was just way too much.
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Speaking in tounges definitely on the top of my list. But next would be the laying of hands. In our search for a church, we went to one and after the worship service the pastor asked anyone that needed healing to raise their hands. We stood in disbelief when people would raise their hands, and 10 other people would “lay their hands” on them and start chanting. Onlly time in my life I have walked out of a church service.
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I used to get sortof freaked out by the supernatural and mostly avoided all things “freaky.”
And then I encountered Holy Spirit myself. I got healed and I got freedom. For real. And I don’t ever want to live my life without Holy Spirit or the “supernatural” again. Ever.
I have never encountered the Holy Spirit without being touched with love, gentleness, healing and peace. They go hand in hand. Nothing freaky about that to me.
What it looks like on the outside is no longer of concern. I want whatever it is that Holy Spirit will give me, whether it makes me look dignified or not. All I know is I have recieved healing and the “supernatural” will never be freaky to me again.
That’s been my experience… =)
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Going to church at all.
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None of the above. Honestly none of that stuff freaks me out. I’ve spoken in tongues many times,fallen out in the spirit, seen the sick healed, been prophesied over, and been given a word of knowledge. I think that it is very important to realize that just because we don’t understand something doesn’t dictate rather it is real or not. Some is, some isn’t.
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I’d have to say speaking in tongues. Only because when I was 9 I attended a church service with my Grandmother, she didn’t explain that they did that at her church or why they were even doing that. It really freaked me out. Even though it been explained to me and I understand at lot more now I still get nervous when I hear about people talking in tongues.
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Eh. I don’t much care for the lot, but I raise an eyebrow at the snake handlers I used to live near.
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Great question, I would love to hear your message. When displayed as a show, I would say all of the above!! Hugely awkward, skeptical, turn off. When displayed passively and privately I am fascinated and intrigued and want to learn more.
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I would say maybe falling out in the spirit, somewhat, but mostly angels and demons. I’m a big scaredy cat, though. Everything else on the list I’m fine with or have seen.
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After being a follower of the Lord for over twenty years (oh, I love how that sounds … it’s been 21!) none of those things ‘freak’ me out in any way whatsoever; at the same time, I can see how some of the list can come across as being a bit ‘out there’ as far as the weird factor goes.
The first time I was involved in a service and there was ‘falling out’ in the Spirit I was, in a word, freaked … until I allowed myself to experience the intense presence of the Anointing that accompanies said ‘falling’. I would say that ‘resting in the Spirit’ or ‘soaking’ is a more apt description for the phenomenon, but that is only my perspective.
Tongues doesn’t bother me at all, particularly since I pray in tongues every day …. The issue of tongues is often divisive; according to the New Testament there are, in essence, two distinct types of the ‘gift’ – the first being the ‘gift of tongues’ which is ALWAYS accompanied by a translation (though not necessarily from the person who spoke in tongues). The second type is that which Paul speaks of when he refers to ‘prayer languages’ – when the Holy Spirit gives utterance to our prayers when we do not have the words to speak of our own accord. Speaking in tongues is meant as a gift from the Holy Spirit to the believer to help connect on a higher level with the Lord that cannot be reached in the natural.
In the body of the congregation the point of tongues is as a sign to the unbeliever – that is why it is to be accompanied by a word of translation which serves as the confirmation that it is a genuine word. Otherwise, it is a vain utterance that is of no service to the body (the Church) and, ultimately, which makes the body look out of control.
As for the rest of the list, it seems to me that parsing what is or isn’t a part of true Christianity according to how comfortable it makes you feel is not really a very reasonable way at looking at the faith. An understanding of the things in that list comes through a study of the New Testament, a careful reading, as well as prayer (particularly for discernment, understanding, and the infilling of the Holy Spirit), and a humble heart (not approaching the issue with the preconceived notion that you KNOW what is real/true/best/whatever).
God Bless,
-p
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None of the above. As long as it’s in the Bible, I’m good with it!
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I was raised in a church where all of those things happened! So no freaking out here. But, if you start bringing in snakes, I am outta there!
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All of the above!!!!!
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Falling out in the spirit definetly freaks me out. I guess to me it just seems a little fake most times. I used to go to a church where they would speak in tongues and I thought that was a little weird but it didn’t freak me out. (I went to the Vineyard Church in Indianapolis!)
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I wouldn’t say “freaked out” but sometimes I am skeptical with speaking in tongues. I’ve been to some churches where speaking in tongues and being slain in the spirit are considered the norm, and if you don’t, then you’re the outsider. I think a church with that attitude scares people off and maybe people will fake it if they aren’t comfortable, and that’s not at all what the Holy Spirit is about. I believe the Holy Spirit will minister to you in a way you are comfortable. If you aren’t comfortable speaking in tongues or being singled out, I don’t think that you will be.
So, I guess it’s not the actual “speaking in tonuges” or being “slain in the spirit” that weirds me out, it’s the attitude that you HAVE to do it to be saved.
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For me it is when speaking in tongues is used wrongfully. Scripture tells how it is to be used. I’ve seen is misused so many times. It more than freaks me out… it makes me mad for the Lord. God is **not** honored or glorified in these cases of misuse of His Word.
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Betty M says:
January 26th, 2010 at 12:22 pm
@Kimberly, I always wondered if the whole “interpretation” of someone speaking in tongues isn’t just an open invitation for abuse?
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For the longest time, I had convinced myself that the devil didn’t exist… So I think that demons freak me out the most.
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Nothing on your list freaks me out more than pastors just making stuff up. Example: I have never prayed in tongues, but have asked for the baptism in the HS; Pastor X says that since I’ve asked, He has given, but that my prayer tongue “must be bound, and you just need to open your mouth and start making sounds”. Excuse me…but I have never read anything in the Bible about bound prayer tongues. They’re making stuff up! I left skid marks in that church parking lot.
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None “freak” me out. Healing the sick I have question/memories about.
I was to scared what may happen to me the follow week.
My father died when I was 9. So I assume I was 8 years old. Our family went to this HUGE church for my father to be healed from cancer. He walked in there on crutches walked out without them. His cancer in his leg heald. But he died from cancer in his brain soon after. They laid a cloth over his head, he fell back to the floor (well someone caught him first). So I think at 8 years old this was a bit to much to take in. I remember being the happiest child ever, my dad WALKING out of there without crutches or any help. They were just a week eairly making apt to take his leg. but he still died. So when my mom suggested we go again for me to be healed from Alopecia, I decided I do not mind if I’m bald
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I was raised in a Presbyterian church, so at one point in my life I would have said all of the above. My husband was raised in First Assembly of God and my jaw hit the floor the first time I went there with him, culture shock! We now attend a church that I would say falls in the middle, many of those things I have never experienced, so my “weirdness factor” would scrictly be related to ignorance. I am open to them… but, well I coudl write an entire blog series myself on this! so…
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Hmm – I am learning more and more about the Supernaturalness of God and I am no longer freaked out by speaking in tongues or falling out – although I still wonder about them. I think the only thing left that freaks me out – but not that I am scared, but totally turned off is when I hear someone talking in “Christian-isms”. I think words like saved, sanctified, justification, God’s will, devotions, Advent – those are words to be used in small group settings where people can be educated on what they mean. When teaching from a pulpit though, I think those words should be left out mostly unless given with a definition. In our world, we should make sure our speech can be easily understood by unchurched people who are unfamiliar with church talk or church culture and leave the ‘second level’ teaching to small groups.
And yes – please post what you decide to speak about. I am very interested in it…
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Speaking in tongues and falling out in the spirit. I have encountered almost all of the above while searching for myself and what I believe in (I was brought up in family where faith was seen as a weakness and had a hard time finding my place in the spiritual world…) and those things were where I drew the line. It didn´t exactly freak me out but it definitly felt uncomfortable.
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[...] This Is Reverb » Spiritual Weirdness… http://www.thisisreverb.com/2010/01/spiritual-weirdness.html – view page – cached I’m in the process of writing out my message for this weekend’s services at Vineyard Westside. The topic is “Spiritual Weirdness”. Now I’m not sure if you’re the church-going type or not, but I’m curious either way… [...]
All of that stuff used to freak me out. Now none of it does. It seems normal to me now.
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None of these are weird to me unless they are done in a spirit of showmanship or emotional manipulation. Demons and prophecy probably give me the most pause, because I realize the possibility of harm.
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All of the above…IF they are accompanied by an attitude of “you have to do this or you’re not a REAL Christian.” When used as a way to worshiping the Lord and not as a “show”, I don’t have a problem with any of them. Guess what?! God is SUPERNATURAL.
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I was raised in a Church of God(Cleveland, TN) and I have been exposed to many of these things, so they do not freak me out. With that said I don’t agree with what a lot of churches preach concerning these topics. I don’t think as many people would be so weirded out by it all if there were not so much incorrect teaching about it. I visit some churches form time to time and am amazed at how much is just plain made up.
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I was raised in a very pentecostal church so none of it is strange or unknown to me. I have seen and or experienced all of those things. I am probably the most uncofortable with demons. I have seen people that are demon possesed and it scares the bejeezus out of me! What scares me more is the thought that I may encounter someone who is possesed and I wouldn’t know what to do.
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Demons. Spiritual warfare.
Prophecy.
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I grew up seeing the speaking in tongues and falling out in the Spirit when I would visit my grandmother’s church. As a kid it freaked me out because I didn’t understand what was going on. I still have issue with it at times because of the attitude of showmanship that I also witness at times. Sometimes there is a lack of lining up biblically on the issue of tongues that really bothers me…however, there are other less spiritually “weird” issues that don’t line up biblically that bother me just as much.
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The whole “being slain in the spirit” thing weirds me out because I don’t see where that is taught in the Bible and because I don’t see how it is helpful.
As for speaking in tongues, I also don’t see how it is helpful in most cases – but it doesn’t freak me out as much and I definitely see a Biblical basis for it, even if I don’t understand it.
Prophecy does not weird me out – but it’s something which must be taken very seriously.
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I was going to say Speaking in Tongues, but I read Peter Amsel’s comments and I find that I am comforted by his words. So, none of the above.
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I’m not sure what ‘falling out in the spirit’ is, and Google is having trouble giving me a clear definition. (As an aside though, this post comes up third or fourth in a search depending on my wording!)
For me it depends on the feeling; not emotionally, but on a spiritual level. There are lots of things with which I’m highly uncomfortable that I wouldn’t necessarily say freak me out. Speaking in tongues is one of those. I’ve been in services where people yell and shout and swoon and it’s clear by the atmosphere that the Holy Spirit is there. I’ve also been in places where they’ve done the same thing and something inside of me just screamed to run away as fast as possible. I believe there are more spirits than the Holy One that can cause similar demonstrations of lack of control, and many believers may not be able to tell the difference when they get caught up in it. Usually it’s just something I can sense around me. The only explanation I can think of is that perhaps I’m sensing the Spirit in me reacting to the surroundings.
I attend an Episcopal church, the traditional service with robes and processions and liturgy and a generally elderly congregation. We recently started laying hands on the priest before the sermon (any who want to come forward), we have a prayer team in the back during Communion, we do healing services with oil annointings… it’s all new to me, (and some lifers don’t like it) but it is very clear to me that the Spirit is there and He is working. It really does, bottom line, depend on the heart I think. Both my own and that of those participating.
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So when I read this, I didn’t translate ‘freaking out’ to mean unbelieving or anything like that, but what FRIGHTENS me. And that’s demons.
Friends asked me once why demons scare me (I won’t watch the Exorcist with them, for example) and I told them it was because I believe. I do believe Satan has a very strong hand in the world, that demons walk among us, and that’s scary!
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Nan W. says:
January 21st, 2010 at 1:38 pm
I don’t watch creepy movies for that same reason. I do believe in the spirit realm, so to me, demons and evil isn’t just some made up Hollywood story.
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Tasha says:
January 21st, 2010 at 11:21 pm
@The Imp,
I just wanted to say, YES Satan has a strong hand here and YES demons are among us…
However,
They are bound, and beaten, and can only do as much as they are allowed. At least that is how I look at it. I have had some very scary encounters with demons in the past, ones that made my hair stand on end because I was daring to pray for someone they had control over. And while I was scared silly, I still could remember that “He who is in me is greater than he who is in the world”. It sounds dumb, but I turned around and told that to the bugger and wouldn’t you know, he backed off!
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hmm, good question. i definitely question some of the things on your list. unfortunately i would probably question the honesty or motivation of someone claiming to be able to do some of those things. it isn’t that i at all deny God the ability to gift people in that way, but it is people that i question. power hungry people and claims they have made give rise to my suspisions. there is a lady at my church who claims to be a prophet, and i’m not exactly sure where i stand in regards to that. she isn’t out on the streets proclaiming it, it is private, but she shares messages God has for specific people with them. i just think she has to be careful, she has upset my husband (and me to a degree) with something she told me. i wish i could hear your sermon.
also, i thought you were going to talk about sex this week. what happened to that?
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Mostly, the aspects that most often make me uncomfortable are those charismatic aspects incorporated in churches and Christian branches (mostly the laying on of hands, as I’ve never actually seen anyone speak in tongues or fall out in faith–although those two do make me uneasy).
I fully believe and have faith in the Holy Spirit and His existence inside me, so I do acknowledge that He is capable of doing things through us that we cannot expect, define, and most certainly mustn’t limit with our human discomforts and fears.
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I’m a lurker, but this post has pulled me out. I am on board/comfortable with all the above. Obviously, like anything, these things can all be done for the wrong reason or in the wrong spirirt.
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That’s a loaded question, but the supernatural is not weird to me. It’s truth. There is a constant spiritual battle going on all around us, and without the Holy Spirit and the armor of God we are helpless. I don’t necessarily believe that speaking in tongues and falling out in the spirit are necessary for today’s church, but I’m not going to totally dismiss it either. Anything that is done must be for the glorification of God ALONE. If it’s done to glorify a pastor or another person it’s not valid. All I know is that the Holy Spirit is as active today as it was when it came in the book of Acts!! As a matter of fact our church is currently going through the book of Acts right now! Blessings.
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As a Catholic – just about anything outside of our conservative Masses freaks us out. I went to a Baptist funeral one time and all the random shouts of ‘Praise Jesus’ and ‘Amen’ had me a nervous wreck by the end of the service. If you did that in a Catholic church the ushers would show you to the doors.
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Speaking in tongues for sure. What’s the point? Do these people “speak in tongues” without an audience? Demons…of course! Laying on of hands. Do we need these side shows in church? I’m disappointed and turned off with church. Convince me God is love
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Honestly I can’t think of anything that spiritually freaks me out. Catches my attention, yes but freak out no. This list sounds like a typical week in the life of Open Door Christian Fellowship (the church I attend)
- Speaking in tongues
- Healing the sick
- Prophecy
- Angels
- Demons
- The Holy Spirit
- Laying on of hands
- “falling out” in the Spirit
- Signs and Wonders
- Words of knowledge
No I don’t do all of the above but I expect God to be and do BIG things. The Holy Spirit is in me and because of that I get to do all the things that Jesus did! He calls us to it. I choose to do battle with the enemy take back all the ground I’ve given him…kick him in the face and kick him out. God is awesome and because of that we don’t need to be freaked out.
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None of the above. Although I will admit to praying that someone else is given the interpretation of tongues anytime it happens…. I hate speaking in public. Our church is relatively relaxed about your list. It isn’t out of the ordinary for any of the above to be discussed/experienced, etc. It is also not a focus. We also encourage tired people to sleep in church, and that freaks some people out. lol
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None of those things freak me out. I was raised catholic then as an adult I joined the Nazarene church which is very traditional and then landed in a pentecostal church. It was there that I was exposed to speaking in tongues, laying on of hands, falling out in the spirit, shouting, running the aisles, prophecy, etc.
That church is where I received the Holy Spirit and my faith came alive. I am amazed by the gifts of the spirit. I dont understand it all but I know it’s real. It is my experience that speaking in tongues is the most devicive issue in today’s church.
I say if we all agree on 90% of the bible, let’s get to work applying that 90% and see what happens.
To me…spiritual weirdness is snake-handling lol
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No question….SPEAKING IN TONGUES! I heard a girlfriend of mine do it and I it scared me to my core. I never ever want to hear it again.
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I grew up in a church where the spiritual gifts were misused. I think tongues are weird because they cannot be verified, anyone can just start talking gibberish and then tell others it is tongues. I used to go to a church where a man would say “barrabas” over and over again, and he used to say it was tongues.
Then if someone claims to have a gift of healing than every one they pray for should be healed, therefore, I don’t believe God gives any one person the gift of healing, I believe God can heal, but not man.
Prophecy is iffy too, if we follow the example put forth in scripture we would have to stone someone if they are not 100% accurate.
I guess I am not weirded out by the Supernatural, as long as it fits in with what the Bible says. Also spiritual gifts should not be used to manipulate the congregation as was the case in South Africa where I grew up.
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What Jess T. and Jamie said. My husband died a year ago and I know he is with the Lord. For several months after it seemed he was right by my side, not so frequently now. I always wondered if it was wishful thinking, or what. It was very comforting.
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None of these things “freaks me out” because “freaks me out” is not part of my vocabulary (I am 68). My heritage was Jewish. My Christian walk has included Methodist, Baptist, non-denominational, charismatic, pentecostal such as Assembly of God and Church of God (Cleveland, Tenn.). Pentecostal and charismatic, by the way, are definitely not the same thing.
To Peter Amsel (#15), it’s not a translation, it’s an interpretaion (not the same thing either). For example, two people describing a painting might not use the same words; this helps to explain (perhaps) a short tongue followed by a long interpretation, or vice versa.
To Elizabeth (#33), read Rev. 1:17 and John 18:6 for Biblical examples of “falling out” or “being slain in the spirit” (which are 20th-century expressions for the Biblical experience).
In the Old Testament, if a prophet’s prophecy didn’t come to pass, the community was commanded to stone the false prophet to death.
Okday, demons freak me out.
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Okday -> Okay
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I tend to be leery of churches that emphasize signs or experiences over scripture and worship. I recognize that the Holy Spirit is powerful and mysterious and works in a variety of ways. I think many of the experiential “highs” of worship are for private experiences with God. In addressing speaking in tongues at church, Paul says God is not a God of disorder (NIV) or confusion (ESV), but of peace.
My impression of the few services I’ve been in where tongues, falling out, etc, took place was that the service was focused more on the individual members of the congregation than on God himself. That may sound harsh, and that’s not what I intend. It was simply my impression. I’m struggling myself to come to grips with what is the most essential part of church: my experience (what I get out of it, which seems ego-centric to me) or worship (what I give to God).
I appreciate your openness in discussing these things. I’d be interested to hear your message when it’s done. Will it be available on podcast?
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S. Decker says:
January 21st, 2010 at 3:16 pm
@Suzanne,
Just a thought, in case it helps… If you go to visit Aunt Lucille, is the visit about what you get out of it, or what you give to her. I would think the visit would be about enjoying each other’s presence, a relationship.
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Slang in the spirit is something I don’t understand….. Kinda weird to me…
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I was raised in the Pentecostal faith so I was exposed to your entire list for much of my life. The only thing I really get weird about are demons. As a kid growing up in church we were told all kinds of awful, scarey stories about demons trying to get out of a man and they tore his throat open in the process. Another time, someone had demons cast out and the demons came and knocked on his front door and asked to come back in. Just how much influence do they really have on my day to day life. Do I really allow them to oppress me if I listen to music that doesn’t pertain to God? If I can entertain angels unaware, can I also entertain demons unaware? At the same time, I have been in situations where I could definitely tell there was demon activity, oppression, etc. I guess I struggle with balancing out what is true and what is fantastical. So, demons really weird me out!
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Tasha says:
January 21st, 2010 at 11:21 pm
@Rhona,
the music thing is/was so true in Pentecostal churches!! I had a car accident in high school and my mom said it as because I was listening to secular music. Nice. Not because I was speeding, hit gravel, & lost control of the car. This must gave been what she was buying into when the “name it and claim it” logic didn’t pan out on their mortgage getting miracelously paid for. LOL!
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My gut reaction was to say “speaking in tongues” but I occasionally speak in tongues… mmmkay. So I guess it’s when there’s someone suddenly yelling in tongues and then everyone waits quietly for an interpreter. Weird weird weird WEIRD.
I can’t go to those types of churches anymore. The suspense of waiting for someone to suddenly start yelling and then waiting for the interpretation made me so uncomfortable. Does God really get people’s attention by interrupting a service and making people feel awkward? Really?
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i worked with a lady a few months ago who was an intense spiritual warrior. I got used to it after a while but I’ll tell you what… the first few I was around her when she started to pray… I got freaked out! Lots of hacking and gagging and grunting and shouting. I learned a lot from her, and wouldn’t change it… but I grew up pentecostal and it STILL took me by surprise.
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Your listed items (in themselves) do not freak me out. But the hypocrisy that is often attached to them make me want to vomit. When any of the above things are displayed under the prompting of the Holy Spirit, they are beautiful gifts from the Lord. Unfortunately, my heart has some cynicism because of the misuses I’ve seen or become aware of.
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Well I was raised in the Pentacostal church so most of those things were pretty normal in our church! But speaking in tounges always did throw me a little…
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None of the above when what is happening is a TRUE work of the Holy Spirit. I think when we are in the presence of our God and are really open to recieving what He has for us….anything is possible
Can’t wait to hear what you preach on though!
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I don’t suppose most of it really “freaks me out”. I went to a methodist church growing up and their was plenty of speaking in tongues and being slain in the spirit (which sounds like this “falling out” you speak of). To be absolutely truthful though, I don’t know if I believe a lot of it. There’s this little voice in the back of my head that tells me they might be faking or overdramatic, etc. The question is…is that my voice of reason or is it the devil?
Demons on the other hand…I get shivers just thinking about a demon. Eeesh.
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I can’t help but post this. For those who are freaked out by the “slain” or “falling out” in the spirit, sing along with me…
“Christian on the ground, Christian on the ground…”
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Shannon Fox says:
January 21st, 2010 at 5:47 pm
@Nan W., Haa Haaaaaaaa Haaaaaaaa! Love it, Nan! Thanks for the laugh!
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Speaking in tongues is odd or strange or just pretty much uncomfortable for me. Laying on of hands…just depends on the day. I have a big personal bubble and putting your hands on me gives me a feeling like I have to throw up or have fluid exit the other end. If by falling out in the spirit you refer to falling on the ground and simulating a seizure….what is up with that? I’ve yet to find a church that makes me comfortable. Am I just flat out toooooo picky?
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Once my very charistmatic Kenneth Copeland following uncle told my parents that my brother didn’t need braces on his teeth. He said that we just needed to pray for his healing. So we all held hands and he prayed for the healing of his teeth. When we were done my, then 12 year old, brother reached up with his thumb, felt his buck teeth and said “Nope,still there!”
My uncle said that we didn’t have enough faith.
I’m uncomfortable with that kind of stuff. I don’t believe that people aren’t healed because they don’t have enough faith. That can’t always be true.
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speaking in tongues is really more of a “turn off” for me. mostly because i haven’t seen it done biblically, i guess. i grew up in argentina and there was a LOT of tongues speaking going on and lots of falling out of the Spirit. i think the laying on of hands is very powerful.
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Speaking in tongues definitely freaks me out. I just don’t feel comfortable with it.
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What freaks me out?
The plastered on make-up-ed faces of people you’ll see at the grocery store on Monday and not recognize. I understand dressing up for worship, but it is really a fashion show? I want to worship with REAL people. Church is not about what you wear or how your hair looks. The people who make it that freak me out!
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I admit that speaking in tongues is a little weird, but I totally believe it is Biblical when done EXACTLY as the Bible describes. My husband spoke in tongues in his youth and I know he’s not a weirdo!
I have no idea what falling out of the spirit is, but I haven’t read it in the Bible…so…
I think Benny Hinn is an imposter and should be locked up and made to return all the money he has stolen over the years.
I believe faith can heal but that God also gave us minds so that we can visit the doctor too.
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Used to be all those things freaked me out. Now none of them do. Our God is wild and untamed and supernatural by nature. Why would I expect to find everything He does immediately comfortable to my limited human mind?
Reading the other responses here has made me very grateful for the healing and deliverance from fear and skepticism He’s granted me in these areas. My relationship with Him has definitely benefitted from it.
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Anything that makes me focus more about what’s happening in the moment in a worship service than focusing on God freaks me out. If it’s startling and awkward and scary, I just don’t think it’s honoring to God. I don’t put “laying on of hands” in the same category, but maybe because I think of that as literally putting your hands on someone as you pray for them…not putting your hands on them to literally heal.
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Definitely speaking in tongues, demons & any sign of someone being “possessed”.
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I don’t want to “put God in a box” and limit His ability to move in ways that may seem unusual to us. So, I am afraid of the things on your list and I’ve seen them in practice many times.
I do have to agree with comment #23, though. There have been quite a few times when I’ve experience Christians making things up and that bothers me tremendously. Once, as a teenager, I attended a service where the guest preacher was praying over people and they were falling in the Spirit. I was urged to go up for prayer and the preacher literally began PUSHING me backwards, as though to make me fall. I left there very upset and disillusioned. It’s not the only time something like that has happened to me.
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Correction: my comment should read, “I am NOT afraid of the things on your list…”
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None of that particularly freaks me out, and I’m a conservative Reformed Presbyterian.
I’ve never had direct experience with most of them–I was around a guy who was speaking in tongues once, and I was freaked out in the “Whoa, this is new” sense, not “This is wrong and weird” sense. Apparently I got scared as a child when my family and I visited a hardcore Pentecostal church, but I got freaked out by pretty much everything when I was a kid.
As a caveat, though, I think these things do provide an opportunity for abuse, but at the same time, who am I to say how the Spirit can move? It does need to be submitted to Scripture, of course. We all have different gifts; for some reason it just seems that people with similar gifts tend to flock together more often than not–e.g., you won’t find a whole lot of people speaking in tongues at my church, and not for lack of faith, just that we haven’t been gifted that way.
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I was born into a Lutheran family but got saved in 2003. I have yet to stay with a Baptist church I’m comfortable with. Maybe I’m like Polly who commented that maybe she’s too picky. I guess I am too. My ‘Lutheran-ism’ is still a very strong part of my ‘personality’.
What I mean is, I’m freaked out by your whole list. My husband and his family are Baptist–VERY strong Baptists. Well, not my husband, but the rest of his family. They are always saying ‘Praise the Lord’ and stuff like that, and frankly I get tired of it. It’s like every SINGLE thing that happens in a day, they give God glory. If the phone rings and someone they were thinking of or talking about is on the other end, they’re like, “Praise God, so-and so called, the Lord answered my prayer”. It’s too weird for me. If they go to the bank and get money, they’re like “Praise the Lord I have this money and I hope He gives me more.” Just too much.
I’m glad I’m saved, (even though it was mostly to appease my in-laws) but I can’t ‘get into’ what my in-laws do. My grandma, who was Episcopalian, told me once that the Holy Trinity doesn’t like showmen. I don’t know if that’s true, but I like nice, quiet services with a liturgy and communion and a nice sermon (not yelling and screaming) and a benediction at the end.
Maybe I’m not ever going to be a Baptist, but a saved Lutheran, if there is such a thing.
An end note: One of my sisters-in-law died of cancer in ’94. She was Pentecostal. She was a true believer in laying-on-of hands, and healing.
She had a group of people lay their hands on her and pray for healing. She really, really believed that she would be healed. She wasn’t and she was disappointed that a healing didn’t take place for her. I was angry for a long time because she believed so deeply and the healing didn’t happen for her. But I know God can do whatever he wants, whenever he wants and it was just her time to go.
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Kristin says:
January 21st, 2010 at 4:30 pm
@Carol Alaniz, I agree with you about the nice, quiet services. Silence, peace, and communion with God means so much more to me than the dancing in it aisles.
I like the way your grandma put it.
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Coming from a Pentecostal background, all of what you mentioned are “normal” for me. What *I* find weird, in a spiritual context … dancing with flags & ribbons!
And handling snakes, but that’s just a given. ;p
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Demons. Casting them out specifically. I know it’s Biblical, I know it’s still done, but it freaks me out to no end. That and falling out in the Spirit. I’m way too reserved and will dissolve in tears but not much past that. Little too freaked out.
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I have witnessed both the speaking in tongue and falling out in spirit in the church I used to attend. It seemed strange to me, something I couldn’t understand and was admittedly more than a bit afraid of.
It was explained to that both were gifts from the Holy Spirit… um… okay.
It’s just that I think if people were gifted by HS to speak in tongues as stated in the Bible, wouldn’t it simply have been people who couldn’t speak the language were suddenly able to? Wouldn’t purpose of the gift have been to foster communications? And not in present day to cause a grown woman to bark for 45 minutes straight while the pastor is trying to sermonize?
*sigh* I’m trying not be judgmental, really I am. But I honestly don’t get this type of stuff and it weirds me out. In fact, the rampant occurrence of it (e.g. hijacked our Sunday sermon for like three weeks in a row) is part of why I stopped going to my church.
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Sandy-lee says:
January 21st, 2010 at 3:49 pm
@Andrea,
I agree with you about what tongues is for. In the NT it was always a known language, not just gibberish.
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I’ll be honest — I’ve spent my whole life with all of those things talked about very candidly by my pastor, church, and family. So, with the exception of actually seeing an angel or a demon with my own eyes, I’ve experienced all of those things first-hand, and absolutely hope to time and time again.
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I have seen a woman I work with being taken over with the spirit and speak in tongues. It was very intense and scary. I am a church goer but I dont go to a church where that is practiced. She has done this 3 times at work and it is quite scary. I love her though. She is one of the dearest people I know.
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The only time I have been bothered in church was when I was in a service where there was total chaos in the way of “falling out” and tongues. I actually left the service since it was so crazy. I think both are fine when there is order and it is biblical. I was also completely scared as a child once when a church day-camp counselor talked about taking kids in a closet and staying with them there until they prayed in tongues.
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Amy says:
January 27th, 2010 at 12:40 pm
@Kirsten M., This happened to me as a child. I was probably 11 or so. We were in a girl’s Bible study group and were taken to separate dark rooms and kept there until we spoke in tongues. Every single one of us faked it. It is how I was raised though and I did try to be open to it even though it made me uncomfortable. Later, as a grown woman, I was invited to a church service where non-tongue speakers were asked to allow the members to pray for them. I had a group of people around me trying to force me to do it (this went on for over an hour). Again, I tried to be open but it did not happen. Eventually, I was accused of reading horoscopes and being involved in witchcraft because I was “bound” as another poster put it. I now have a very hard time being around that type of thing even though my mother and all of her friends are completely wrapped up in it. It’s gone a long way in making me question my faith. I don’t think anything should ever be forced. Jesus did not work that way. He called people to him without accusing or threatening them.
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Uh, most of the above, quite frankly. I’m fine with the signs and the Holy Spirit, but the laying of the hands thing sent me BOLTING from a church. I don’t like to be touched, period. And God made me that way. So I guess that was my sign that the church wasn’t the right one for me.
To each their own. That’s the beauty of God. Your relationship with Him is PERSONAL!
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Carol Alaniz says:
January 21st, 2010 at 6:40 pm
@Kristin,
“To each their own. That’s the beauty of God. Your relationship with Him is PERSONAL!”
EXACTLY!
What you said is what I’ve said to my in-laws for years, but they don’t buy it. They think I’m going to hell because I have declared myself saved but haven’t been baptized in the Baptist church yet. I have a good relationship with the Lord. I know this because he has answered many of my prayers. I know my relationship with Him is not perfect and I fall short all the time. But He accepts me as I am; wants me to grow more in Him, and I’m happy he does both.
I don’t stress out anymore about what other people think I ‘should do’ in order to be loved by the Lord and go to heaven. If people are upset with me, it’s their problem.
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Kristin says:
January 22nd, 2010 at 8:48 am
@Carol Alaniz, Ah, the judgment of friends and relatives. It’s not enough for them that you believe in God and worship God. To make them happy, you have to worship exactly as they do.
You can always tell your in-laws what I tell people who question how I worship: “Well, isn’t grace beautiful??!!”
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Personally, I think the whole “speaking in tongues” thing is a load of crap. I think people that do that are just attention-wanting, jibberish speaking fools. And the “laying of hands” better be invited. If anybody put their hand on my head, they had better be prepared to take back a bloody stump.
Wow, I’m in a mood today!
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Tracy says:
January 21st, 2010 at 5:30 pm
@eclecticdeb, About a year ago I was with a group of people at church and we were praying. One of the men in the group began to speak in a language that I did not understand. After we were done praying a woman in our group was visibly shaken and asked the man where he had learned to speak yiddish. He said he didn’t. But, here’s the weird thing, as he was praying for this woman he kept repeating to her “My beautiful child.” Well, it was what she needed to hear and something that her grandfather, who spoke yiddish, used to say to her all the time. Anyway, no one knew that her grandfather spoke yiddish or that those were the words that she needed to hear at that moment……no one except God. Is that too freaky?
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eclecticdeb says:
January 23rd, 2010 at 6:04 pm
@Tracy, Ummmm…no, not freaky to me. Sounds like the woman heard what she needed to hear. If the man who spoke Yiddish was saying “You are Loved”, the woman would probably have said “Wow, my grandfather/grandmother/aunt … (whoever) used to say that to me.
I’m glad she got some comfort. But I’d attribute her ability to RECEIVE the comfort to the fact that she was in a loving and safe environment.
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The only time I’m “freaked” by anything apparently supernatural is when it’s being forced on someone – and the person doing the forcing is using fear and anger! That is not the moving of the Holy Spirit.
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The whole “sending out of the demons” things freaks me out.
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I was born and raised Catholic in England and none of the above freaks me out. Some of the things I am skeptical about, for example, Falling out.
I guess one thing that kinda freaks me out about Faith since moving to the States, how passionate “in your face” some people are about it here.
I’m not saying that’s a bad thing, by no means, if it makes you happy, go for it … its just a large adjustment to me, coming from a country where although there is a massive Catholic following, it’s more of a private affair.
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It used to freak me out, but that was before I understood. Before I was saved and had never touched a bible. Now it doesn’t at all. Although, I’ve never seen someone possessed with a demon (that I know of).I don’t think it would freak me out but it would scare me because of what it is.
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I would say my recurrent dreams of me fighting with people with demons…. weird… However, since I became a mother about 4 years ago, I think I am too tired to get asleep and have a dream.
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Hypocrisy freaks me out. Christianity in this country is being defined by a very small minded group with great connections who don’t seem to know the Jesus I know. The Christian “Right” freaks me the hell out. Give me a good laying on of hands and speaking in tongues any day.
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The Holy Spirit works for me, in that I am aware of it’s presence in my life and at points in my life have had the certainty of God working with and through me. The other stuff doesn’t freak me out as such but it doesn’t help me come to God. I see it happen and it doesn’t move me or help me feel the wonder that is God’s presence in my life. If it helps others come to God, then great, I’m way past the idea that the way I come to Jesus is the only way. I watch parents love their children the same amount and parent differently according to their needs and as God is our parent and our pattern, reckon He must do the same in bringing us to Him…
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Speaking in tongues (’cause it was never talked about growing up in church), and demons/demonic possession (they give me the hebegebez!)
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i get really really freaked out by the idea of demons. Especially stories where they come to live in a person and control them, just scares the daylights out of me. the supernatural, occult, ghosts (whether they exist or not, I dont wanna know), any of that sort of stuff…I don’t want to have anything to do with that. Really honestly scares me.
also have to agree with laying of hands and speaking in tongues. I didn’t grow up in those traditions and while I’m probably not freaked out by them, I do find them mildly unsettling and not something I care to be a part of.
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Speaking in tongues – how can you tell if it’s the Holy Spirit or the onset of schizophrenia?
The very idea freaks me right out.
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What freaks me out the most are the following and these are in no way aimed at your church specifically as i’ve never been there or heard a sermon.
- the emphasis churches put on experience and feeling over true discipleship and self-control to endure despite circumstances
- when a sermon is more stories than the word of God
- when people aren’t welcoming at a church, what is with that? how hard is it go talk to someone and make them feel welcome?
- people who don’t tithe, no it’s not about money, but we should support those who faithfull minister to us
- when the Gospel isn’t the main thing
That’s what freaks me out.
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Talking in tounges is weird…my Grandma used to do it when I was little!
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None of it “freaks me out”, but I don’t believe in any of it. Can’t really be freaked out by something I don’t believe in. Each person to their own. If people need the above in order to believe and live their lives the way they want, good for them.
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Blind faith in right wing politics. I’m a long time Christian and I get so angry with Christians over politics…not the stances but how many blindly follow and seem to put their faith there.
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I have learned not to question the path it takes, because at that moment, it is reality to the person who is experiencing it. With that said, I would like to put it would there that I have not been anywhere close to a religious person for a long time now, due to being exposed to the bad side of Christianity, the scary, hypocritical, and judgmental side.
My great-grandparents founded a church after my great-grandfather says Jesus came to him. Soon after that, his wife (my great grandma), had a dream about a mountain, and in that dream, God told her to find that mountain, because that is where there church would be. They traveled around doing tent-revivals and one day they stopped off at the Roanoke River near Salem, Virginia to have some food and freshen up a bit. My great-grandma looked behind her and there was that mountain from her dreams. They inquired about the land next to the river, and within 24 hours they were the proud owners, and it was there that they built there church. My great grandpa, Elliot Draughn, and his wife Frances preached there, and when he died, she carried on. I never really went to that church growing up, and my great-grandpa died before I was born. It was two hours north, and my parent’s raised me in a conservative, boring Baptist church, so when they took me to visit my Grandma Draughn’s church, they didn’t prepare me for what I would witness. As a young child, I was scared to death by people fainting, shouting, dancing, running around, speaking in tongues, and everything that you can imagine. I freaked out and my Dad had to take me outside. Later on, I went back a few times, and there is a whole story about how my family ended up moving less than 2 miles from the church without knowing it was anywhere around. Turns out, we moved right below that mountain she dreamed about. There are all sorts of other stories about her: how she received prophecies and predictions about deaths of church members in dreams, she always had a sense about the truth of things, and how as a young child, she was some sort of otherworldly figure to me, and I never quite understood her, yet I loved her deeply. Her son, my great uncle Andrew, still preaches in that same church in Salem, Virginia. He lives in my town of Mount Airy, NC, but he travels there every Friday and stays until Sunday evening. It’s funny now, because I’m not a religious person outwardly, but I graze upon the fringes. My mother grew up Quaker and my father grew up Mormon. As a young child, my Grandmother took me to the Mormon temple on evenings for Bible study, but I never liked it, and I quit going as a teenager. I never felt like the Baptist churches around here in my small town matched my beliefs and they too often spread messages of hatred and have even caused me to distrust people around here who claim to be overtly religious. In the past few years I have been touched by several things that have brought me closer to the God I know was always there, INSIDE of me. I became a teacher, which has touched me life in ways I could have never imagined. I have heard so many stories of my Grandma Draughn that must be true, because I knew her, and she was the most pure and peaceful person I’ve ever known. I met students involved with the Young Life group at my high school, and I saw something spark inside their eyes when they talked about God. I found and I love your blog, and I really feel it is leading me in a better direction. I believe it may have been you who posted the story about the young people who set up at the college and apologized to everyone for the wrongs of Christianity and told them about the love of Jesus. I remember crying while I read that and at that point, I knew I was changing. I am inspired by a local Presbyterian congregation that seeks to spread love and show the beautiful part of religion. I still haven’t brought myself to attend a church service, but I often listen on the website – themayberrypreacher.com
I am not sure about the whole point I had behind this. I feel like I’ve just had some kind of revelation in my life simply by typing this, and I know you will understand that. Thank you.
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This is the blog post that I was referring to in my super-long comment (wow, that was way too long… sorry!):
http://stevelindsley.typepad.com/thoughtsandmusings/2009/04/a-different-kind-of-confession-booth-or-what-happens-when-christians-come-out-of-the-closet.html
You have got to read it! It really has stuck with me, and his blog, along with yours, have been a part of a new spiritual awakening in me.
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Ha! Your comments made me laugh when I saw ‘none of the list’ and the very next comment was ‘all of the list’.
Personally, none of it really freaks me out. Both speaking in tongues and falling out in the spirit aren’t things I’ve experienced personally, but that doesn’t mean I don’t believe it happens! =) Great question!
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speaking in tongues, most definitely!!!
always has been creepy, but after seeing robert deniro in cape fear it has more of a nightmarish quality for me.
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Okay so…long story short…I grew up in a very legalistic demonination (any coincidence that that word starts with “demon”?) JUST sayin…
Tongues COMPLETELY freaked me out.
People “slain in the Spirit” COMPLETELY freaked me out.
Prophctic words? Still freak me out.
But
Here’s the thing. If I doubt that my God is supernatural?
Well, who wants a NON supernatural God?
I came to terms that my God works in supernatural forces. It’s not up to ME to decide if people are being real.
It’s up to me to accept the supernatural blessings of the God who created all things. Who loves me enough to sacrifice His most loved Son for me..a stinkin sinner who doesn’t deserve it.
Nothing is too great for my God.
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Ryan, I’ve been casually thinking about this question throughout the day and having finally come up with an answer. Honestly, there isn’t much on that list that would scare or frighten me. My biggest hangup would skepticism…if a large percentage of the church started speaking in tongues, I think I would be very inclined to believe that some or many were faking it. I believe tongues is a selective gift of the Spirit (just like teaching, compassion, giving, etc) and what is the likelihood that all these people have been given the same gift and coincidentally found the same church. Also if someone stood up and had a prophesy of the Lord, I would be skeptic over that too. However, if someone had a prophesy for me and took me aside to speak it over me, I’d have no problem with that. I guess the difference lies in demonstration or presentation.
But I will be the first to admit that the Lord can move however He chooses. I would hate for my skepticism to get in the way of me hearing and seeing Him work.
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This is going to sound sooo rude but here goes…it freaks me out when people hold up there hands to the sky while they sing in church…that seems so unnatural to me…like it is not real – just doing what they have seen other people do.
Could be wrong but it just ain’t right to me…
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What a great list. Some of these things make me more uncomfortable than others but I would say the thing that makes me the most uncomfortable is when someone gets “drunk” in the spirit and just starts laughing and making weird looking faces.
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None of the above. I haven’t really experienced some of them (demons, for one) but I don’t doubt that they are real and I’m not freaked out by the idea of them. (If I really encountered them, well, I’m not sure how I’d react.) I grew up in a “spirit-filled” church so all of this is natural to me. However, I do know that this type of stuff brings out the fruits, the nuts and the flakes.
I think people can have a gift but not necessarily have the maturity to use it in the right way, which unfortunately leads to crazy experiences involving people with wrong motivations. I also believe that people can conjure up experiences for the sake of appearance, without it being a true encounter with God.
As far as prophecy, tongues, falling out, miracles, laying on of hands… I’ve experienced all of that and have found it to be absolutely real, effective, and something that has drawn me closer in my relationship with Jesus.
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The only thing that freaks me out is falling out in the spirit. When I was younger whenever peolpe would pray or lay hands on me they tried to push me back yo fall out by their own measure. then they had the nerve to ask me if I was OK! Maybe it just leFt a bad taste in my mouth. I wouldn’t even say that it freaks me out…..maybe tutned off by it?
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Nothing really freaks me out too much. I only get uncomfortable when I feel like people are just putting on a show. That bothers me. SO fake. I think perhaps they are trying so hard to show how spiritual they are, or how good a christian they are, or how tight they are with God, that they lose the point. But when it is genuine and God-led I find it all the most amazing thing ever.
Well, except for the snake stomping people. They do freak me out, and I have serious doubts about whether that is really God-led or not.
I think sometimes
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Tasha says:
January 21st, 2010 at 11:33 pm
@Tasha,
“I think sometimes” was a fragment of a sentence not completed… oops!
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for me it’s not about getting freaked out, cuz they don’t, it’s about how people use some of these things to be proof of salvation.
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I’m Orthodox so I can probably out-weird you all.
Exorcism at baptism, unction, drinking holy water for healing, myrrh streaming icons, in-corrupt dead bodies of saints, I’ve seen a lot, and it’s all real. (It was a shock to my pragmatically-raised American self when I realized that…) Sometimes encountering a demonic presence is eerie, but Jesus is more powerful. 
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No offense, but ministers with massive tattoos, big holes in their ear lobes and they use crude language.
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Andrea says:
January 22nd, 2010 at 8:05 am
@Lynn, How could that be taken any other way than offensive. Do you know what “No offense” means… you are clearly trying to take a jab at him.
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Brooke says:
January 22nd, 2010 at 11:15 am
@Lynn,
Lynn,
I am going to assume you are kidding, right? John says (7:24), “Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment.” Who are you to determine what a pastor should or shouldn’t look like?
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Lynn says:
January 23rd, 2010 at 5:04 am
The question was put this way: What Freaks You Out? And I answered honestly. I have never been around a minister with massive tattoos, holes in his ear lobes and using crude language. And I am drawn to this site because of the loving, caring and sincere person who writes it. Ryan is unlike any minister I’ve ever seen. I found Reverb on The Pioneer Woman blog…and Reverb went into my Favorites folder. He asked the question and I told my answer. And I suspect Ryan liked the answer…
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Andrea says:
January 23rd, 2010 at 8:42 pm
@Lynn, Good… he is family so I always stick up for him hehe… I’m crazy when it comes to defending my bro-in-law… Sorry I took it so seriously and I’m glad you weren’t being mean… can we be friends still? I promise I will be nice from here on out.
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Lynn says:
January 23rd, 2010 at 9:08 pm
No problem. It’s interesting to me how “judging” others comes so easily to us all. God Bless.
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tasha roe says:
January 22nd, 2010 at 11:59 am
@Lynn, i assumed you were kidding and thought it was pretty funny.
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Dogma. Religion, really. I find my spirituality in a different place than that, I guess.
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- Speaking in tongues: as long as everyone is not doing it at the same time and as long as it is in an appropriate framework, like not during a sermon.
- Healing the sick: All for that.
- Prophecy: As long as the focus isn’t, “ooh, wow, cool” or “you shouldn’t marry this person” type of control, but if it is centered on Jesus and making me love him, great.
- Angels: As long as no one is talking to them or all “into” them, they are fine.
- Demons: There is always the guy who is the “demon specialist” and it gets old. Demons are often over-rated with a lot of hype.
- The Holy Spirit: Amen!
- Laying on of hands: Totally biblical.
- “falling out” in the Spirit: Not sure what you mean, “slain in the Spirit?” Due to the fact that I don’t know what it is, I will refrain.
- Signs and Wonders: Again, awesome, as long as they point to Jesus and not man. Usually it is all about some dude’s “ministry” and he is a rockstar, Jesus takes second stage. Plus, to be totally honest, if you could see Jesus do miracles and still crucify the guy, I don’t think signs and wonders will convince a hard heart, grace will.
- Words of knowledge: awesome. As long as it isn’t a “thus saith the Lord” package but a “The Lord has impressed upon me that…”
What seems lame to me is when you need this “new thing” in order to be spiritually fulfilled, whether it is a traveling prophet, a “special word” or a miracle or anything other than Jesus. Those things can all be gifts of grace, designed to make you love Jesus, but often them replace him.
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Delurking to answer this. None of those things really freak me out. If anything, they just make me want to learn more.
What scares me the most is how lost I’m feeling right now and not knowing how to find my way.
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I’ve pretty much seen it all and generally believe that Holy Spirit stuff is good. Still, there are three things that give me the spiritual heebie jeebies:
1: When people start sounding orgasmic while praying. I’ve had people praying with me or near me who started to heavy breathe and/or moan. It made me very uncomfortable.
2: You will never convince me that mooing like a cow or squaking like a chicken are sincere effects of being overcome by the Holy Spirit.
3: Folks who scream as though terribly angry when praying in a public forum – “LORD!! WE WANT YOU TO COME FALL ON US! WE WANT YOUR RIGHTEOUSNESS TO CLEANSE OUR MISERABLE SOULS!!!!!!!!!!”
The last one is really more of an annoyance that something that freaks me out. But it is on my list of dislikes.
Thanks for letting us share!
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I would have to say speaking in tongues, falling out in the spirit and the whole laying on of hands thing. That is just because I think its awkward when people lay hands on me (if it someone I know really well I might be ok with it).
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I have not seen most of these things first hand..and don’t know what some of them are (falling out of spirit for example).
Having grown up Catholic the power of evil spirits was always a big threat…and then I saw the Exorcist…that did me in for the longest time! LOL
I think I live a kind and good life to the best of my abilities…and don’t go for the organized religious stuff so much.
I found some of the answers above interesting…speaking in tongues is OK as long as they fit certain criteria. You see..I just don’t get “qualifying” a belief…you either believe or you don’t..that’s what I think anyway
interesting…
I am just happy and caring for those I meet around me.
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“Snake handlin’ ” and Strictnine drinking. It’s a little too Russian Roulette-ish for me. WWJD= Why Would Jesus want you to Do that??? A little to weird an interpretation for me.
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I grew up in a Pentacostal church and people did speak in tongues, but not often. I thought that the only way to experience the Holy Spirit was to speak in tongues. I belong to a Presbyterian Church now and we’ve talked about how the Holy Spirit comes to all who accept Christ and works through them to do Jesus’ work. I love this because I felt inadequate that I had never spoken in tongues. I don’t feel like that is the only way to see the Holy Spirit working. I believe He is working through all who call on the name of Christ. We have to be obedient and listen for His prompting. I was listening a week ago when I talked to a young college student about Jesus. I noticed that she was reading the Old Testament and we got into a great discussion about grace. I think this is because I’ve been asking for God’s will to be done through and by me. I was listening.
I don’t like showmanship. I can’t stand when people preach prosperity or deviate from God’s word. His word can be tough to understand, but I believe it to be true. Our church faces a lot of criticism because we take a conservative view of God’s word. We don’t take the parts that we like and preach them, our pastor preaches the tough stuff too. He is often the solo man in our Presbytery standing for God’s word. It’s hard for him, but he firmly believes in redemption by Christ’s death on the cross, something that many are trying to take out of Christianity…then what is the point! I seriously could go on and on, but I’ll say this to close: I am redeemed by grace by Christ’s shedding of blood on the cross. I don’t have to work my way into Heaven or eternity. I have to believe and accept this gift!
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I recently attended a church with my friend for a Ladies Night Out. I was thinking “oh this will be fun just a nice relaxing night out” No way. I ended up calling my husband crying because I was so freaked out. It felt as if the worship leaders were feeding off of human emotion rather than being honest with God. They would tell me that I needed to raise my hands when I sang, it’s my obligation to give to their offering, one of the singers would look at the other singers to see if they were raising their hands, if so she would do it. At the end of the service they started speaking in tongues and “healing” women’s emotional hearts. Now, please keep in mind that this event was made for visitors, people who had never heard of Jesus. We are Christians and are involved with our church, and the things that had happened that night was something that I never experienced at church. Even being a Christian I was still way beyond freaked out. It says in the bible when you speak in tongues you are to have a translator so that everyone knows what you are saying. Speaking in tongues is a gift, not a requirement or a show. And to think this is one of the largest churches in the Greater Houston Area. It’s beyond me how that is even possible. It sadens me that new followers think that this behavior is natural.
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I have yet to see anyone speaking in tongues in the proper setting that is talked about in the Bible with interpretors and everything so I have to say that really freaks me out.
And demons freak me out in the sense that I very much believe they are real and trying to attack us everyday, thank God (literally) we have Him to fight for us.
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I was raised in a church that taught that “speaking in tongues was of the devil” (tell that to the apostle Paul).
Now, I have experienced each item on your list. HOWEVER I must say, I am freaked out by people who want to use God and their experience with God to get attention. (i.e. “falling under the spirit” so they look spiritual.) If God happens to come to you in a strength that you cannot stand under, that is great — He is definitely working a work in you. Otherwise, you are an attention grabber and it gives all of us roll ‘em and dunk ‘em people a bad name. :}
I guess the other thing that freaks me out is when my type of church pushes themselves on people who are not willing and ready to be prayed for in a new way — God respects us enough to lets us come to Him, He is a gentleman. We should do the same. *sermon over*
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All of the above I suppose, but I don’t know what “falling out” or “laying hands” actually is… but I have witnessed speaking in tongues and was a little freaked out.
I think the answer to this question will be based entirely on the individual’s background and personal experiences – as “freaky” is in the eye of the beholder.
I was raised in an Evangelical Baptist church in Canada, btw (very conservative).
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falling out, speaking in tongues and healing where they hit you on the head. Oh and the whole yelling message of Hell and Damnation instead of Love and Grace. Def weirds me out.
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None of this actually freaks me out, although when any of it is accompanied by judgement in the name of discernment, that pisses me off.
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Speaking in tongues and public prayer. My ex-husband was uber-spiritual, and he had a couple of men who when they ran across each other, would just start random prayers in the middle of Wal-Mart, Sam’s, the Gap…etc (head-bowed, hand holding, loud praying…). I couldn’t handle it, and always walked out. I’m sorry it just weirded me OUT! …and sometimes these informal “prayer meetings” went on for an hour! Way too much for me!
And Hell, Fire and Brimstone sermons that are yelled at ya…can’t take it either!
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i really don’t think its up to us to decide whats “freaky” and whats not! God is sooo much bigger than our understanding of what is biblical, normal, right, etc. Although none of the things you listed are freaky in my book, reading through the list and some peoples comments reminds me that i need to continually open my heart to whatever God wants to do in my life even though it will probably push my comfort zone a bit cause thats just how it tends to work out
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My Dad grew up COGIC (church of God In Christ/pentecostal) and I grew up attending either COGIC or full gospel churches. Nothing on your list is weird to me; however my husband grew up Catholic. All of it is weird to him, he likens it to Arsenio Hall in Coming to America. We’ve recently started attending Orthodox Christian services and it’s very… different. Singing the entire service, the incense, all of it was a little strange at first. But people worship differently, it’s very personal.
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I once saw a documentary about a religion that danced around with poinsonous snakes. What the heck is that all about anyway? Oh and the kicker is that the preacher died of guess what? Snake bite. Yeah…not as invincible as he thought.
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I don’t have a problem with anything that helps people feel closer to God, and be better people in general. That said, I don’t go to church because it ALL weirds me out on a personal level. Spirituality is intensely personal for me, and anything that requires an outward show gives me the creeps.
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I’d have to say I’m skeptical of speaking in tongues and falling out in the spirit. Years ago a friend’s alcoholic father suddenly joined a charismatic church. The entire family was required to attend. He smashed their televisions at home and suddenly became super-strict on her and her siblings. She shared with me that she was frightened because the preacher insisted that she wasn’t saved until she spoke in tongues, and “fell out” in the spirit. She expressed other concerns, but was soon placed into this churches private school – her father no longer approved of her “old friends”. I was invited to attend with her one time and I’ll never forget the marching around the church, speaking in tongues, loud voices and laying of hands. It was very intimidating and I found certain things more distracting than worshipful. She shared with me that she faked speaking in tongues because she felt pressured into it. I’ve been skeptical ever since.
I was say though that there are some things much worse to me….Several years ago, my husband and I were invited to attend a worship service by one of our employees (a different denomination than our church). We accepted and as I stepped into the building I felt all eyes on me. As the service started, the preacher must have changed his entire sermon to preach right at me, as I had dared wear makeup and jewelry. This “man of God” never once spoke to me nor knew my heart or beliefs. He assumed purely based on what he saw that I was hell-bound. I was never so glad to leave once the service was over. I had been baptized and was wholly accepted in my own church; but simply based on what I wore, I was unclean and unworthy in this church. That TOTALLY FREAKED me out and still does to this day.
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Ok….first of all…I realllllly enjoy reading your blog! A friend shared your site with me…and I am so happy she did.
Anyway. Spiritual Weirdness. I grew up in a pentacostal church…I now go to a kickin’ Baptist church. (yes, they exist!)
I have to say that I have seen it all being a Preachers Kid in the Church of God. One thing my daddy taught me is that The Holy Spirit is a gentleman. I love that.
He is real. Not fake. I think that so much is real…I also think that some times, people mis-represent God things. That is sad. When this happens it messes with the truth for people. God can do anything. He will blow our minds!
So, I have seen the supernatural in realtime…and I have seen people making the supernatural happen.
WHEN properly experienced, when God chooses to move in these ways…it is overwhelmingly amazing. When it is made up…it is embarrassing to see.
I now go to a great Baptist Church. more calm….but still a very free worship environment…I am comfortable. I feel that my relationship with Jesus is more real to me NOW than ever before. Grace will do that for ya
It seems that different denominations have different gifts… Pentacostal churches seem to spend a lot of time on gifts of the Holy Spirit….Baptists seem to spend more time on salvation…. etc. Neither are wrong…as long as minds are open to allow God to be WHO HE TRULY IS. Who are we to say that God does or doesnt do something.
It is all about TRUTH.
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I dunno what falling out of the spirit is but it sounds funky, but speaking in tongues would be my woah thats weird. I’m not religious and have never seen it in person but when I’ve seen it either on TV or talked about in books and things I think, nah not for me.
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Well, i went to MorningStar for awhile, so nothing necessarily “freaks” me out anymore, but I do question when all the healings that supposedly take place are all internal things that nobody can see/prove. Which I realize takes faith, but I mean, I want to see someone’s warts fall off (my husband’s), someone’s legs grow, limbs replaced, etc.
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Honestly, they all freak me out in some way or another. But whose to say I’m not “wierd” or “freaky”?
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NONE of what you mentioned freaks me out in the slightest. Now pulling out snakes…that would freak me out.
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I would have to say “speaking in tongues” gives me the heebie jeebies (sp?). I suspect that its a combination of the fact that I was raised in an extremely conservative Christian church who raise their eyebrows if anyone so much as says “amen” during a sermon. My conservative upbringing along with a bit of skepticism is why I find tongues so hard to accept.
I’ve never spoken in tongues or been able to interpret them…but I have felt the holy spirit within me and it has never manifested itself in me with “tongues”. I agree with several other commenter’s when I say that it seems too easy to start speaking gibberish and claim that you have the gift of speaking tongues or the holy spirit. Something about just seems so insincere.
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We live in a very old house. Except for the folks we bought the house from, who lived here for less than 18 months, all previous owners have stopped by and asked, carefully, if the spirit was still in the house. It is still here, benign, as far as we know. When people were raising children in this house, the spirit looked after them. It the child was in discomfort, the spirit woke the parent/s. I wish I knew more.
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None of the above listed freaks me out and I don’t consider any of it “spiritual weirdness” since I have experienced all of those situations in a wonderful, loving, positive, life-changing way.
What I wuold consider spiritual weirdness is being unbalanced in any of it and using it to manipulate and ploy people. I’ve worked for many ministers and churches and ministry groups in churches that were considered very conservative denominations to very liberal (Charismatic or Word or spirit-filled). I could write a book about the weirdness, spiritual and otherwise, that I’ve witnessed in all of them from pastors to congregants. It would make your stomach turn. But I tend to think on those things that are true, noble, pure and right according to stay balanced and open to what I hear God speaking to me.
~ en Agape,
Victoria
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I just read Jill’s comment and I’m with her! That I’ve never experienced and would be making a doorway where there wasn’t one if someone started handling snakes in church! Thanks for the reminder, Jill. I haven’t heard of that in years.
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None of the above are weird to me. I grew up Pentecostal and have seen it all. (except demons thank Jesus) I have felt an electricity when in services that I have never felt anywhere else. I love that people have the freedom to praise and worship in their own way and am open to all religions and expressions of worship.
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interesting question! do you post your messages from vineyard on their website? i’d love to hear where you went with these ideas.
as to what freaks me out…only the physical, out-of-control-of-my-body stuff. including but not limited to: speaking in tongues, falling out, laying on of hands, etc. also, anything involving snakes is pretty skeevy.
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Wow so many interesting replies! It seems that the thing that has the most people freaked is tongues, which is understandable – it does sound pretty weird at times and it can certainly be hard to tell if someone is faking it. Tricky.
1 Corinthians 14:2-19 and 23-25 has some pretty specific teaching on it, and I think one of the best sermons I’ve heard on the purposes and benefits of tongues is John Bevere’s Intimacy with the Holy Spirit DVDs. Good stuff!
It is a very controversial topic between denominations though… I’ve experienced most of the above at our church, although somethings are still a little out of my comfort zone – normally just physical reactions from people that maybe I haven’t experienced before. However I think God likes to remind us sometimes that we don’t know everything, and that it is possible for things to happen that we’ve never seen before. Don’t want us to get too big for our spiritual boots….
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Religion as a whole… and particularly any kind of religious gathering… just culty and creepy *shudder*
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A few years ago I would have scoffed at the “laying on of hands” but I am a believer now. A few years ago we were so blessed to be a part of Silverdale Baptist Church in Chattanooga, TN. We know of a woman healed of advanced cancer and at least one confirmed birth (our oldest daughter) after a laying on of hands.
But tounges or “falling out” would likely freak me out – never been privy to either – but I am a “latecomer” to protestant faiths…
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[...] week I asked you all a question about what freaks you out in church. The answers were diverse, and incredible. Some of you were totally freaked out by speaking in [...]
I grew up Roman Catholic and was always freaked out by the GIANT statue of Jesus on the cross. I always felt like he was looking at me, begging me for help. I still feel that way to this day and it makes me uncomfortable, which is why I am a lapsed Catholic.
My husband and I attend a baptist church at an interfaith center, where everyone is welcome; the minister sings, is friendly and open-minded, and does his best to spread the word of God in a loving and delightful way.
Bonus? There’s no bleeding Jesus hanging on the wall.
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