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In case I needed any more proof of the dangers of denominationalism, this week’s story of the poor old Southern Baptist preacher who got his legs switched for speaking in tongue would have completed convincing me. I have never spoken in tongues. But if someone wants to worship in that way, how does it hurt me? I have read the Bible through seven times and I do not think speaking in tongues is a clear teaching. But I repeat: If someone finds that helpful in their spiritual journey, why would that concern me? To put it another way, is it any of my business if they do? Is it any denomination’s business to dictate to people how they worship? This Southern Baptist preacher merely prayed in tongues as a form of ecstatic worship. He didn’t teach his congregation that they had to do it. He merely became more open about his private form of worship. I have a friend whose word I trust. She is not a fundamentalist. She attends churches with liberal thoughts about theology. She has never paid any attention, pro or con, to speaking in tongues. But she tells me --and I believe her – that she once went into a trance during a church service and when she came out people around her said she spoke in tongues. Am I going to criticize her for having this experience? She didn’t induce it. It was just something that happened. She is not tying to get anyone to do it. She is puzzled by it herself. My cousin attends a Pentecostal church and was constantly told to seek the Holy Ghost with manifestation of speaking in tongues but she never tried to have such an experience. Not only did she never seek it, she really didn’t see it as important or desirable. Yet she woke herself up one morning speaking in tongues! She is not trying to get me or anyone else to do it. She is mystified by it herself. But why should I disparage what she experienced? People in all denominations today are speaking in tongues. There are charismatic departments to serve these people in several large denominations, and I am told this includes the Catholic Church. These churches are not endorsing the practice but they respect their members who have had this experience and I feel good about the respect. My experience with Baptists have been more positive than negative down through the years. But I think the rigid rightwing thinkers who have seized control of the Southern Baptist church are reflecting some of that rigid mindset in the way they are treating this preacher who uses ecstatic utterings in prayer. Chanting is common in many faiths. I have a CD of Buddhist monks chanting and there is something captivating about it. I do not do it and am not seeking to learn it. But why do we need to believe in something or adopt something in order to respect those who find it helpful? Denominations spank you good when you veer from their version of orthodoxy. What is orthodoxy? It must be pretty flexible because there are over 400 denominations and each one thinks they are the most orthodox. They took this poor fellow off a powerful board of the church because he prays in tongues! Now that ought to make him repent and come back to the letter of their law. Strong-armed denominationalism never does a thing but push people away from the churches they have loved and supported all their lives. It breaks hearts and destroys ministries. You may do things in your worship that I do not understand but if they harm no one, I am not going to criticize or ostracize you in any way. You will not be hassled by the unbelievers of the world. Your only head-hammering will come from the leaders of the church you have loved and supported all your life.
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