Glossolaia

By Crusader1307

 ''Glossolaia'' – a term developed Centuries ago to identify the strangest of religious phenomenon – ''Speaking in Tongues''. It is a common belief among many World Religions (especially those of Christian origins), by which an Adherent, regardless of the fact that they are ordained or common follower (Laity) – ''speaks in languages not known or spoken''. This phenomenon often occurs during periods of intense prayer or religious fervor. Recorded in The Western Bible's New Testament (The Acts and 1st Corinthians) – the ''first'' example of which was when selected Disciples of Jesus Christ are ''visited'' by The ''Holy Spirit''. This supernatural event ''transformed'' the Group with ''special abilities'', which included ''speaking in foreign or strange languages or the ability to translate such''. Both effects are seldom invested in just one person. The traditional belief is that God grants these ''gifts'' to certain faithful (regardless of religious association).

With time, Medical Science assigned such abilities as being either fake or a form of Religious Hysteria. The first, that a Person may be faking the effect is built from the 19th and early 20th Century Tent Revivalists of The US. They would commonly use trickery in their ''acts'' of Salvation – all fro the financial profit it brought. The second, a form of hysteria – is not so well accepted, but nonetheless intriguing. Seen in cases of large groups of people who all share a common (often) neurotic shared belief in ''what'' is expected as the result of a prayer session or specific religious act. The group generates either an aural or even quasi-physical manifestation.

The phenomenon also (rarely) includes a participate who speaks an accepted and known (ancient) language. In many cases, the ''language'' is (heard) as unconnected and unknown phrases and words. Seen as ''instructions'' – it takes another so ''gifted'' who (through no idea how), to ''translate'' the said ''message''. Recorded examples can also be traced to Ancient Rome, when Temple Priests would be ''stirred into a frenzy'' often ''speaking or conversing with'' The Gods. This is also seen as a form of Glossolalia. The phenomenon is not recorded in Islamic or Buddhist Texts. Still seen to some regards even today, Glossolalia will always be a matter of debate for many more Centuries.