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From: aeq@pucc-h (Jeff Sargent)
Newsgroups: net.religion
Subject: Re: Kulawiec on Sargent on speaking in tongues
Message-ID: <1489@pucc-h>
Date: Fri, 16-Nov-84 09:00:16 EST
Article-I.D.: pucc-h.1489
Posted: Fri Nov 16 09:00:16 1984
Date-Received: Tue, 20-Nov-84 23:42:55 EST
References: <231@pyuxd.UUCP> <1469@pucc-h>, <184@stat-l>
Organization: Purdue University Computing Crypt
Lines: 45

>> = me
>  = Rich Kulawiec

>> How do you explain the gifts of the Holy Spirit -- particularly the most
>> common one, most commonly called "speaking in tongues"?  How do you explain
>> the fact that in May, 1972, a man laid his hands on me and prayed, and I
>> received the ability to speak without conscious thought in a language I don't
>> believe I've ever heard?  And I'm not the only Christian of my acquaintance
>> with this gift.

> Before demanding an explanation for such a phenomenon, you prove that
> it actually occurred, AND that it is attributable to the "Holy Spirit" --
> which of course means proving that such a thing exists, as well.

There are a number of people who witnessed this occurrence (i.e. my initial
receipt of this gift).  When you ask for proof that it actually occurred, what
are you saying?  Are you calling me a liar?  (I know I got carried away and
called RLR that once in this group, but I'm trying to change my tone.)  Also,
I can demonstrate this gift at any time.  I don't know if there is any way to
prove scientifically that it is happening without conscious thought; I've never
read whether, say, a person's EEG is different depending on whether he/she is
speaking with conscious thought or via some other power.  But would you believe
in God even if irrefutable evidence of such a difference were provided?  Note
that I am adducing speaking in tongues itself as one of the evidences of the
existence and power of the Holy Spirit; you ask for proof that God exists,
and then you reject evidence which is offered!  You are only hurting yourself
by cutting yourself off from the Source of life due to your cynical, doubting,
denying attitude.

> However, offhand, I can think of a number of different explanations for
> such phenonenon; perhaps P.T. Barnum's favorite saying is most appropriate:

> "There's a sucker born every minute."

I thought that was what they said when Dracula's baby was born! :-)

Seriously, though, that doesn't explain what could have *caused* this to
occur.  All you are doing is refusing to believe, not putting up any
evidence against the claims made here.

-- 
-- Jeff Sargent
{decvax|harpo|ihnp4|inuxc|seismo|ucbvax}!pur-ee!pucc-h:aeq
"I'm not asking for anyone's bleeding charity."
"Then do.  At once.  Ask for the Bleeding Charity."