How do atheists reconcile speaking of tongues
I am aware that there is a post on this subreddit on pretty much the same topic about 15 years ago. It was certainly interesting to read all the responses to it (All the replies to that post eventually led to OP reverting from Christianity). However I don't think there was a proper answer to OP's question.
For context, I'm a christian who is from the Assemblies of God though I don't specifically hold to the views of the denomination. I was pretty much always an atheist and never believed in the "fables" of Christianity. However when I recently went to Church (My parents forced me), Out of nowhere, I just start speaking in tongues. I even tried to stop myself but it kept happening. After that I eventually repented and I am now a Christian.
I know everyone is gonna have some questions about my experience and just dissect everything so I am gonna try to respond to as much as possible in the post itself and even some of the replies.
- I spoke in Glossolalia if anyone was wondering (I know this is an atheist's favorite type of tongues speech to debunk and I'd be happy to see the responses)
- I've heard some people say that the reason speaking of tongues occurs is because people are pressurized to speak it in their culture. I promise you no one has ever really pressurized me into speaking in tongues. However even if they did, I wouldn't really care since I was an atheist at that time.
- I've also heard people say that it might have occurred because of panic from the extreme banging and playing of instruments in such a packed room and that is interesting way to put things to say the least. However I received the gift when the room was pretty much quiet and the pastor was just praying for the congregation as a whole.
- People have also said it's due others speaking in tongues around me which resulted in me "mimicking" them. But I was the first one to speak in tongues before the others in the church started speaking.
- Some people have mentioned that many pastors and people studying to be pastors are taught that its alright if they fake the speaking of tongues, and they also teach them how to invoke the speaking of tongues. If I'm being honest I can't say much on the second point I brought up since I'm not knowledgeable on that topic but what I can say is that if any biblical college does teach that, then it is inherently wrong since it is the holy spirit which chooses that gift. If the holy spirit wills then the gift of tongues can be brought on a person, it isn't something which can be taught.
- Many people have also told me that Glossolalia is not in the bible, but rather only the speaking of different languages. For that there are many answers. Firstly Paul himself said in 1 Corinthians 13:1 about people speaking in the tongues of angels. Traditionally this has been understood as Glossolalia in the bible and it is also the view I hold. Other answers also say that Glossolalia could be an ancient language which no longer exists. And also Glossolalia is not the only kind of tongues, I've also heard my mother tell me about how her grandmother spoke in perfect English from the gift of tongues during a prayer meeting even though she didn't know anything about English at all. When I was an atheist I just assumed that my Mom was lying but later when my Mom brought up the story when my mom's siblings and cousins were around (they were also present during the incident), they all recalled the same thing. When I was an atheist I didn't think much of it and just shrugged it off but now that I think about it, it is more plausible to think it was the holy spirit rather than everyone collectively lying to make sure an eavesdropping atheist teenager to believe in it.
- I've also heard that Glossolalia is different in different regions and is based on the language you speak and the region you are from. But I'm not too sure about that, since from my experience, pretty much most people in my church who I believe legitimately are capable of speaking in tongues speak in a unique way. I'm not much of an expert on this so I'd love to hear your thoughts.
So anyway, I'm not looking to debate or anything. I'm just curious as to how you would reconcile this.