Twitter users were disturbed by a TikTok video of some kind of service involving a man wildly swinging a sword as he and another man speak in tongues while being accompanied by a band.
At one point, a person walks in front of the swordsman just as they thrust forward and then pull back, seemingly aware they almost impaled someone.
The entire time, the video is overlaid with text reading “Ephesians 6:10-12," Bible verses that urge Christians to "Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes" before adding:
"For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”
You can see the video for yourself below.
Speaking in tongues is practiced in Pentecostal and charismatic Christianity and is mentioned in the Bible on several different occasions, particularly Mark 16:17, which records the instructions of Christ to the apostles, including his description that "they will speak with new tongues" as a sign that would follow "them that believe" in him.
The practice is part of the idea that those who are faithful can channel the Holy Spirit through their bodies, which could result in them speaking in different languages, or tongues, while in a trance-like state.
Those who haven't had much experience with this brand of Christianity would no doubt be put off seeing this in action.
And many Twitter users were indeed weirded out and mocked the video profusely.
As of this writing, the video has been viewed millions of times and been widely shared.
It attracted more attention on Twitter after being shared by the account "Christian Nightmares," which often tracks odd and often bizarre behavior across the Christian fundamentalist movement.
@GregAbbott_TX/X
