I'm not about to start some "holy war" here, nor do I really get off on talking about religion or churches for that matter, but what in the hell is up with those crazy Pentecostal places of worship? To me, it seems that those particular churches often attract insanity and people who are mentally ill, and it gives them the freedom to run amok in a room, jerk, twitch, convulse and yell, with other like-minded kooks.
If you're not aware, Pentecostal churches harbor what is often called "Charismatic Christians" among other labelled individuals who claim to feel the holy spirit or holy ghost in such a way that they can "speak in tongues" and also vibrate, twitch, drop to the floor and flex through a series of convulsions while looking more like they need to be loaded up in an ambulance somewhere and treated for mental problems and central nervous disorders.
---Side note: If you have ghost stories that doesn't relate to the holy spirit, please share them here: http://myths-legends-folklore.blogspot.com/2011/04/share-your-supernatural-occult-ghost.html
Oh, yes, I said "speaking in tongues." That is where you speak in an unintelligible manner, supposedly some universal divine language that only certain people can understand (ha-ha!). It can go something like this, for example: "Oh sama kaba chaku buku boogy boggy. Jaba jaba dada goo goo. Oh ma ta baja baja." Ha-ha-ha! Yeah, it sounds like senseless baby talk, if ya ask me!
Hell, I can raise my hands in the air and chant "maza taku shaku baja" over and over while twitching and jerking, and could put on a good show if I had to, but there would be nothing divine about it. I suppose one could call that crazy display whatever they want, but I would just feel like some mentally challenged person wanting attention, if I did decide to perform such things. LOL!
Anyway, these particular churches often mimic a madhouse with all the shouting, screaming, yelling, running, jumping, and people getting pushed down to the floor and/or falling to the ground pretending to go into violent fits and seizures and whatnot. In fact, there is a small amount of Pentecostal churches that handle snakes.
A quote from Wikipedia about snake handling & Pentecostal Churches:
"Some of the leaders in these churches have been bitten numerous times, as indicated by their distorted extremities. Hensley himself, the founder of modern snake handling in the Appalachian Mountains, died from a fatal snakebite in 1955. In 1998, snake-handling evangelist John Wayne "Punkin" Brown died after being bitten by a timber rattler at the Rock House Holiness Church in rural northeastern Alabama. Members of his family contend that his death was probably due to a heart attack. However, his wife had died three years prior to that - after being bitten while in Kentucky. Another snake handler died in 2006 at a church in Kentucky."
I'm not into organized religions, as I usually keep my crazy beliefs and ideas to myself, but this particular denomination of Christianity is a bit extreme, in my opinion. Many other sects of Christianity actually seem to detest the Pentecostals, and I can see why they would get riled up with their bizarre practices. I mean, WTF? They just changed the doctrine to suit them, a little over a hundred years ago, and started this "Pentecostal movement."
I don't even like the way that sounds, "the movement" or some of them call it a "revolution." This particular denomination sounds more and more like a cult - the more I learn about it. Oh, don't get me wrong, they aren't the only ones that sound like a thriving cult, but like I said earlier, I'm not starting some silly-ass holy war on this blog.
Also, I realize that not all churches are the same and there may be some Pentecostal places of worship that are at least semi-normal. Many of you may be very happy to be apart of this denomination and they may actually be good for your well-being. I'm only speaking about some of the more hardcore ones that I've heard about and/or talked to people who have been that had bad experiences, etc.
I've heard many times that a lunatic is oftentimes just a "failed mystic." Just think when some of these people become ex-Pentecostals? Yep, the psychologists are going to be busy with the ones who ended up having bad experiences with this cult, sect, denomination, religion or whatever you want to call it. I've read about how many people suffer from "Post Traumatic Stress" after turning from this type of holy practice. The way I look at it, is that some people just have to find out the hard way. If you think you're doing what is right, then go for it - whatever it may be - but never try to shove your beliefs and bizarre rituals down other people's throat.
Now, for a couple related resource links to derail you from this blog post...
* Pentecostalism & Insanity:http://ex-pentecostal.blogspot.com/2008/09/pentecostalism-and-insanity.html
* Pentecostalism from a child's point of view:http://www.violentacres.com/archives/250/the-pentecostal-church-and-the-holy-ghost-want-you-to-wear-pig-panties/ [Link is no longer valid]
Semi-Related Blog Posts:
* Heaven is a place on Earth?
* "Prayer by Letters" Religious Scams & Stupid People...
* Resources for the Dec. 21, 2012 Doomsday Hype
* Using the "Power of Thor" - Ha-ha!
---End of Post "What is up with the crazy Pentecostal Churches?"
Its not Pentecostals fault that people don't read their Bible. I'm not saying to go snake handling but seriously the only people that can get a hold of God when someone is sick, dying, or in sin its Pentecostals. God sent the Holy Ghost down to lead guide and teach us and is for today. What is up with Pentecostal Churches you ask? Well Read Acts 2. That is whats we are all about. Worshiping God in SPIRIT and in TRUTH, Doing the work God has called us to, and Having the power of God backing us 100% if we are truly sold out to Him.
ReplyDeleteYeah, Acts 2 "The Coming of the Holy Spirit." That's where a bunch of people got together and started "speaking in tongues" while most people thought they were all drunk.
ReplyDeleteWhatever floats your boat!
There are Pentecostals that don't even read their Bible, well, I mean they only selectively read certain parts while ignoring the vast majority of it.
But the main thing, is to get all crazy and shake, convulse, speak gibberish and chant unintelligible language abroad as if you've just been freed from an insane asylum.
Oh, well, I suppose there doesn't have to be anything normal about it, but I do find it amusing that other hardcore Christians who read their Bible thoroughly, don't go around acting like crazed idiots. What is wrong with this picture? Ha-ha!
I use to belong to a very traditional Pentecostal church, and it was crazy. Unfortunately, some still do the snake thing, but most just stick to speaking in tongues. Speaking in tongues is mild compared to when a pentecostal preacher thinks your possessed. It is a surreal experience, when a overweight man in a sweaty dress shirt, puts his palms on your head, and howls for hours for the demons inside of you to come out because others in the church said the Lord told them that I had sin in my life. Meanwhile, you are wondering what the hell is going on. That is when I realized that I needed to get out of there - for my personal and mental health.
ReplyDeleteI feel sorry for the people, who I use to know, that are still there - most people never leave. It is a self-deprecating religion that preaches salvation with a guilt-bearing undertone of " you will never be good enough"
Thanks for sharing your experience, as it is much appreciated! I'm glad that you escaped the madness; cheers!
ReplyDeleteThere are some churches that claim to be pentecostal that don't allow the move of God to flow at all. and others that push it..which all in all causes the affects to not be real.. iv'e been around this move my whole life..i've seen the fakers..and the ones who won't open up to the move of God at all.. its not about lables.. its about a personal relationship with God him self... its not about making a scene.. its about letting God touch you.. which can be done anywhere,..in any church,any home, any denomonation.. God wants to pour out his spirit on everyone.. its all about if youre going to be still and let him have his way.. ive been in a pentecostal church that you could hardly raise your hands without people looking at you like you were crazy.. and if you peeped a prayer in tounges you would be told to stop..i don't think that its God telling people to handle snakes..being that so many do end up dying.. you shouldnt tempt God.. the bbile says he given us the authority... Luke 10:19I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you.....And Jesus answering said unto him, It is said, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.Luke 4:12.... And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:Acts 2 :17.... it is what you make it.. what you allow God to do through you..and in you... I can personally say...God moves in an through me.. he talks to me and I talk to him..i love him and he loves me. it don't matter what you call your self.. its all about letting God be God and doing what he wants.. because he does know whats best.
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So by what you just said, it is all about the "acceptance" and "allowance" provided by the areas of worship and/or denominations without putting the main priority on the titles?
ReplyDeleteIt's about stop trying to figure it out and name it.. and just let it be. youd be suprised how much God can do when we stop trying to do it all our self.
ReplyDeleteAs the old saying goes, "names & titles mean nothing, meanings and feelings mean everything," or something like that. Anyway, maybe your pentecostal church isn't as crazy as some of the more hardcore ones, but thanks for commenting on this subject, nonetheless; cheers!
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