Holy Laughter

[Entertaining_Angels]

Lest the other thread morph into a debate over 'holy laughter'.

Thoughts on 'holy laughter'?

[lunalinda]

I voted flesh. It doesn't seem like something the Holy Ghost will purposely do to people, BUT, it's likely that it's people's reactions to how they're feeling when the Holy Ghost is upon them. I've never heard a "live" occurrence of Holy Laughter, but I've heard recordings. On those recordings, though, the Holy Laughter just seems to strike at awkward times and interrupts whatever message is being preached. That's when I start scratching my head.:scratch:

[Raistlinorr]

Hmm your Holy Laughter must be different from what I've seen and had where you just laugh nothing loud or roaring but normal laughter. When I got it it was a great joy I was filled with that the only way to express it was to laugh. I can't even express in words how it felt but what I felt could have only came from the Lord. Also when this came about ppl had been praying that the heavieness about me would lift and I needed it spiritualy. I was saved from utter darkness things were so bad before I became saved then since I was still new born in Christ I was not spiritualy strong enough for what was going on around me. After I had that laughter I felt tons lighter and spiritualy refreshed.

I say this because my flesh has never had that kind of joy and as for some thing from the enemy an old me once was witch and I never got that kind of feeling than either. So I'm inclined to think your laughter might be different from my own. Did it sound normal? Or was it not human like?

God Bless
Raist

[twistedsketch]

Nothing about it is in the Bible, so I can't be sure that it is the Spirit. People can self-induce a state of euphoria, so I will not rule out that possibility. I voted Don't Know.

[Raistlinorr]

Luke 6:21 - Blessed are ye that hunger now: for ye shall be filled. Blessed are ye that weep now: for ye shall laugh.


Psalms 126:1-6 - 1 When the LORD turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream. 2 Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing: then said they among the heathen, The LORD hath done great things for them. 3 The LORD hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad. 4 Turn again our captivity, O LORD, as the streams in the south. 5 They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. 6 He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.

Ecclesiastes 3:1&4 - 1 To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: 4 A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance.


This is the best I could to for my argument and it being in the bible. This is why I feel that my experiance was of God.

God Bless
Raist

[twistedsketch]

Luke 6:21 - Blessed are ye that hunger now: for ye shall be filled. Blessed are ye that weep now: for ye shall laugh.


Psalms 126:1-6 - 1 When the LORD turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream. 2 Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing: then said they among the heathen, The LORD hath done great things for them. 3 The LORD hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad. 4 Turn again our captivity, O LORD, as the streams in the south. 5 They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. 6 He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.

Ecclesiastes 3:1&4 - 1 To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: 4 A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance.


This is the best I could to for my argument and it being in the bible. This is why I feel that my experiance was of God.

God Bless
Raist

That's general, sane laughter though. Not the euphoric, maniacal laughter that the charismatics are known for.

[Raistlinorr]

That's general, sane laughter though. Not the euphoric, maniacal laughter that the charismatics are known for.


Ahhh then this answers my question as to what the laughter was like. My laughter was quite sane but from the joy of the Holy Spirit. And most definitly not maniacal. But I'ld say it was verging on euphoric in the sence of feeling great joy and well being.


I'ld say that the feeling I had at the time was what was talked about here.


Psalms 126:1-6 - 1 When the LORD turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream. 2 Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing: then said they among the heathen, The LORD hath done great things for them. 3 The LORD hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad. 4 Turn again our captivity, O LORD, as the streams in the south. 5 They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. 6 He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.


Reading this to says Holy Spirit in my take on it. Maybe you see it in a different view. But IMO this is brought on by none other than the Lord.

God Bless
Raist

[GodsJewel]

Not sure what it is.

[JVD]

I voted other. I don't believe it is demons, or God. I feel like flesh means that it is faked, but I don't think it is faked.

I believe it is a type of self-hypnosis. Or crowd hypnosis. It is a type of self-delusion.

[Reazzurro90]

That's general, sane laughter though. Not the euphoric, maniacal laughter that the charismatics are known for.


Stop right there. The vast majority of charismatics/pentecostals reject the notion of "Holy Laughter" and "barking" and whatever else is associated with the Toronto Blessing. Most people get confused with "Holy Laughter" and laughing in the Spirit. Laughing in the Spirit is when one is so comforted, so in the presence and warmth of the Spirit, that they begin to giggle, to laugh because they are so comforted. Holy Laughter is an unbridled, maniacal laughter that simply disrupts worship. I am pentecostal (Assembly of God, basically), and I (as well as my parents) deplore the Toronto Blessing (which includes Holy Laughter). This is NOT standard pentecostal doctrine, and most do NOT practice it.

[twistedsketch]

Stop right there. The vast majority of charismatics/pentecostals reject the notion of "Holy Laughter" and "barking" and whatever else is associated with the Toronto Blessing. Most people get confused with "Holy Laughter" and laughing in the Spirit. Laughing in the Spirit is when one is so comforted, so in the presence and warmth of the Spirit, that they begin to giggle, to laugh because they are so comforted. Holy Laughter is an unbridled, maniacal laughter that simply disrupts worship. I am pentecostal (Assembly of God, basically), and I (as well as my parents) deplore the Toronto Blessing (which includes Holy Laughter). This is NOT standard pentecostal doctrine, and most do NOT practice it.
Right. That's the "holy laughter" I was talking about. It's good to know that you and your family have some standards for what you will accept as from the Spirit. Most charismatics I have dealt with just treated Holy Laughter as just another manifestation of the Spirit, and as you can tell I am very skeptical about that.

[Raistlinorr]

Stop right there. The vast majority of charismatics/pentecostals reject the notion of "Holy Laughter" and "barking" and whatever else is associated with the Toronto Blessing. Most people get confused with "Holy Laughter" and laughing in the Spirit. Laughing in the Spirit is when one is so comforted, so in the presence and warmth of the Spirit, that they begin to giggle, to laugh because they are so comforted. Holy Laughter is an unbridled, maniacal laughter that simply disrupts worship. I am pentecostal (Assembly of God, basically), and I (as well as my parents) deplore the Toronto Blessing (which includes Holy Laughter). This is NOT standard pentecostal doctrine, and most do NOT practice it.


This is what I called Holy laughter for lack of better words this is what I have expirienced and never thought to call it laughing in the Spirit. So it might be I was confused as to what was being ask. Thank you for clearing that up I think the area your from also has a play on how you term things but this post was a hugh help in what I was refering to. It was after all the only Holy laughter I'ld ever known until I had seen the other posts. Thank you for the blessing of clearin that up.

God Bless
Raist

[Entertaining_Angels]

Yes, the only holy laughter I have witnessed is of the 'toronto blessing' nature and if you've witnessed that variety, not much of it sounds 'holy'.

[Reazzurro90]

Right. That's the "holy laughter" I was talking about. It's good to know that you and your family have some standards for what you will accept as from the Spirit. Most charismatics I have dealt with just treated Holy Laughter as just another manifestation of the Spirit, and as you can tell I am very skeptical about that.


Yeah, our family, though placing a lot of importance on the pentecostal gifts, is very careful on knowing what is from the Spirit. When my parents watched a tape on this "Holy Laughter" (or "Toronto Blessing") they were stunned and disgusted. My father's a pastor as well, so that's always a useful asset. And you are rightfully skeptical on all these "new manifestations" of the Spirit that have never been known before. Scripture has never mentioned something as obnoxious as Holy Laughter or barking and howling. We are not pagans, and worship, as Paul consistently told the Corinthians, MUST BE ORDERLY!

“But everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way.” (1 Corinthians 14:40)

None of those so-called “Spirit manifestations” are at all orderly. They are chaotic, and really, disturbing. They confuse the congregation, and how many times have we heard that God is not a God of confusion!

[Reazzurro90]

This is what I called Holy laughter for lack of better words this is what I have expirienced and never thought to call it laughing in the Spirit. So it might be I was confused as to what was being ask. Thank you for clearing that up I think the area your from also has a play on how you term things but this post was a hugh help in what I was refering to. It was after all the only Holy laughter I'ld ever known until I had seen the other posts. Thank you for the blessing of clearin that up.

God Bless
Raist

No problem, friend. It'd be a terrible thing to force yourself to contain simple laughter that the Holy Spirit has provided you because He takes joy in your joy. Just remember, obnoxious and loud laughter that disrupts worship is not good, because as Paul said, everything must be done in a fitting and orderly way (1 Cor. 14:40).

[Raistlinorr]

Yes, the only holy laughter I have witnessed is of the 'toronto blessing' nature and if you've witnessed that variety, not much of it sounds 'holy'.

Ok now that I see what your talking about as compared to what I meant my vote needs to be moved to flesh from Spirit.

I'ld not heard of the type you meant nor had I ever witnessed such an event. It does not sound like any thing I'ld like to be a part of I'll stick with my Laughing in the Spirit as that seems to be the term I was refering to at least after reading what Reazz posted thats what I have been witness to and it was not like what you were mentioning.

God Bless
Raist

[Raistlinorr]

No problem, friend. It'd be a terrible thing to force yourself to contain simple laughter that the Holy Spirit has provided you because He takes joy in your joy. Just remember, obnoxious and loud laughter that disrupts worship is not good, because as Paul said, everything must be done in a fitting and orderly way (1 Cor. 14:40).

Hehe no mine was far from loud or disturbing the worship. It was though a giggle that I could not stop and it kept going but it lightened the heavyness that was apoun me at the time and my pastor and friend seen this after it was over they seen how I was lifted from the shadow being cast and it felt great.

God Bless
Raist

[Reazzurro90]

Ok now that I see what your talking about as compared to what I meant my vote needs to be moved to flesh from Spirit.

I'ld not heard of the type you meant nor had I ever witnessed such an event. It does not sound like any thing I'ld like to be a part of I'll stick with my Laughing in the Spirit as that seems to be the term I was refering to at least after reading what Reazz posted thats what I have been witness to and it was not like what you were mentioning.

God Bless
Raist

Here's another link to help you better understand Holy Laughter and the Toronto Blessing.

Toronto Blessing (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toronto_Blessing)

[Reazzurro90]

Hehe no mine was far from loud or disturbing the worship. It was though a giggle that I could not stop and it kept going but it lightened the heavyness that was apoun me at the time and my pastor and friend seen this after it was over they seen how I was lifted from the shadow being cast and it felt great.

God Bless
Raist


Nothing wrong with that, it's a beautiful thing, and was orderly and gave you peace.

[Ratchet]

I voted flesh but i'm not sure

[Reazzurro90]

"Holy Laughter" gets worse:

“The Golden Sword Prophecy was made at the Toronto Airport Christian Fellowship 3rd Anniversary Meeting, January 20 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/January_20), 1997 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1997) by Carol Arnott (http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Carol_Arnott&action=edit).

During a sermon entitled The Making of a Warrior, Arnott lay on the floor for about 20 minutes slashing violently as if she had a two-handed sword (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Two-handed_sword) in her hand. After the sermon (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sermon) she delivered her prophecy (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prophecy), which includes the line: "This is My sword, this is not man's sword, this is My golden sword."

Arnott and her husband claim that the Golden Sword is a new anointing (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anointing) called The Sword of the Lord or the Warrior Anointing. The anointing is accompanied by clasping the hands above the head and swinging an imaginary sword back and forth and around, often roaring and making war cries (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/War_cry).

This practice has been taken up by some Charismatic (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charismatic) churches, with pastors (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pastor) and church leaders incorporating the same bodily movements during worship services to impart this anointing on church members.”


Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden_Sword_Prophecy)

[lunalinda]

This is kinda irrelevant, but not TOTALLY. I once saw this video of a pastor squawking like a chicken as he tried to read from the Word. He was like, "And then the man came down COCKADOODLE DOOOOOOO!!!" I kid you not. He squawked several times while trying to read while people laughed in the congregation, like it was some big joke. He never managed to sound serious like he was really preaching. Of course he credited it to the Holy Spirit. Why would the Spirit make you squawk like a chicken and be so unmannerly and chaotic in God's church? All that does is distract from the Word and sermon. It was very odd and upsetting.

[Entertaining_Angels]

This is kinda irrelevant, but not TOTALLY. I once saw this video of a pastor squawking like a chicken as he tried to read from the Word. He was like, "And then the man came down COCKADOODLE DOOOOOOO!!!" I kid you not. He squawked several times while trying to read while people laughed in the congregation, like it was some big joke. He never managed to sound serious like he was really preaching. Of course he credited it to the Holy Spirit. Why would the Spirit make you squawk like a chicken and be so unmannerly and chaotic in God's church? All that does is distract from the Word and sermon. It was very odd and upsetting.

honestly, I do believe some involved in these teachings are possessed and thus not Christians but I really in no way believe it of everybody involved. I think many are just being deceived. But, yes, when you have pastors making animal sounds in 'worship', you can be pretty sure, the devil is having his laugh.

[Andyman_1970]

One thing to keep in mind, is that the whole laughing or sword fighting in the Spirit is explained by Paul's "tongues of angels" passage - which many use as a catch all for all kinds of utterance "in the Spirit". The problem is that when Paul, a Jewish rabbi, uses the term tongues of angels it has a specific Hebrew meaning. The angelic language or tongues is called in the Hebrew the "Kedusha" - it's very holy and sacred, most Jews will not recite it. It is a liturgy that the angels sing to God - not something where Christians run around roaring like a lion.

Once again we have a great example of what happens when people ignore the context of the Bible..............

[twistedsketch]

This is kinda irrelevant, but not TOTALLY. I once saw this video of a pastor squawking like a chicken as he tried to read from the Word. He was like, "And then the man came down COCKADOODLE DOOOOOOO!!!" I kid you not. He squawked several times while trying to read while people laughed in the congregation, like it was some big joke. He never managed to sound serious like he was really preaching. Of course he credited it to the Holy Spirit. Why would the Spirit make you squawk like a chicken and be so unmannerly and chaotic in God's church? All that does is distract from the Word and sermon. It was very odd and upsetting.
That was either demonic or he is the most immature pastor in the world. This man should not be a pastor.

I can see a ten-second joke like that in the pew, but for the ENTIRE SERMON? Something was hindering the Word there.

[HoneyDew]

This is kinda irrelevant, but not TOTALLY. I once saw this video of a pastor squawking like a chicken as he tried to read from the Word. He was like, "And then the man came down COCKADOODLE DOOOOOOO!!!" I kid you not. He squawked several times while trying to read while people laughed in the congregation, like it was some big joke. He never managed to sound serious like he was really preaching. Of course he credited it to the Holy Spirit. Why would the Spirit make you squawk like a chicken and be so unmannerly and chaotic in God's church? All that does is distract from the Word and sermon. It was very odd and upsetting.

If he is not being immature or deceiving the saints, then maybe he has a condition he is trying to mask. Tourette's Syndrome could possibly cause him to produce those odd sounds, or it might not.
Anyway you look at it, that is one interesting story and I would have loved to see that tape.

[lunalinda]

If he is not being immature or deceiving the saints, then maybe he has a condition he is trying to mask. Tourette's Syndrome could possibly cause him to produce those odd sounds, or it might not.
Anyway you look at it, that is one interesting story and I would have loved to see that tape.Actually, it was a clip on the net, but the site escapes me. The site had all sorts of disburbing images, as well as sounds, of what is supposedly happening under the Spirit's influence. I think it was a site talking about the extremes of some forms of Pentacostalism (not ALL types), and its striking similarities to certain pagan religions (as far as how people act). Ugh, I wish I remembered what site it was. I spent HOURS on there watching all the clips. The chicken clucking, the tongues joking (two pastors making "jokes" to each other in tongues), slayings in the Spirit, etc. One of them was just chaos. It had everyone running around and jumping over chairs, rolling on the floors, screaming, wailing, etc. Ugh, I'm gonna have to hunt where it was. I still don't want to judge the whole thing, but...the vids do make you scratch your head and wonder.

EDIT: Ahh, it was a part of that "Toronto Blessing" thing I think, something I'm pretty much just learning about. Here's the site where the clip was at, but you might have to hunt a bit, probably under that "fase doctrine" link. His name is John Scotland: www.bible.ca (http://www.bible.ca/) As I said, I don't outright make any final judgments based on one website, but...there are just so many video and audio clippings that it certainly can improve the validity of some of the claims. It was enough to make ME cringe. I've seen some beautiful manifestations of the Spirit, but some of those clips make people's claims very questionable.

[twistedsketch]

On "slain in the Spirit" - I believe that to a point it is Biblical. When Peter fell into a trance on Simon the Tanner's rooftop and God spoke to him in Acts 10:9-20. But this is a far cry from "slaying" people here, there and everywhere on top of each other in a crowd. Peter was alone. Nobody touched him or pushed him over to get it to happen. It was ONLY him and God, with God starting it and finishing it.

[knownbeforetime]

Laughing because something is holy?

I believe God has a sense of humor. The Bible has all sorts of plays on words. I can imagine laughing because God showed you an interesting coincidence or irony...

[twistedsketch]

Laughing because something is holy?

I believe God has a sense of humor. The Bible has all sorts of plays on words. I can imagine laughing because God showed you an interesting coincidence or irony...
Again, not euphoric, maniacal laughter. Sane laughter is not "holy laughter."

[Athanasian Creed]

Actually, it was a clip on the net, but the site escapes me. The site had all sorts of disburbing images, as well as sounds, of what is supposedly happening under the Spirit's influence. I think it was a site talking about the extremes of some forms of Pentacostalism (not ALL types), and its striking similarities to certain pagan religions (as far as how people act). Ugh, I wish I remembered what site it was. I spent HOURS on there watching all the clips. The chicken clucking, the tongues joking (two pastors making "jokes" to each other in tongues), slayings in the Spirit, etc. One of them was just chaos. It had everyone running around and jumping over chairs, rolling on the floors, screaming, wailing, etc. Ugh, I'm gonna have to hunt where it was. I still don't want to judge the whole thing, but...the vids do make you scratch your head and wonder.

EDIT: Ahh, it was a part of that "Toronto Blessing" thing I think, something I'm pretty much just learning about. Here's the site where the clip was at, but you might have to hunt a bit, probably under that "fase doctrine" link. His name is John Scotland: www.bible.ca (http://www.bible.ca/) As I said, I don't outright make any final judgments based on one website, but...there are just so many video and audio clippings that it certainly can improve the validity of some of the claims. It was enough to make ME cringe. I've seen some beautiful manifestations of the Spirit, but some of those clips make people's claims very questionable.




Yup the site was www.bible.ca, more specifically here, complete with various videos:

http://www.bible.ca/cgi-bin/texis/webinator/search4/?pr=default&order=r&query=holy+laughter&submit=Submit


Ray :wave:

[Soldier_For_Christ]

What is Holy Laughter?

[HoneyDew]

EDIT: Ahh, it was a part of that "Toronto Blessing" thing I think, something I'm pretty much just learning about. Here's the site where the clip was at, but you might have to hunt a bit, probably under that "fase doctrine" link. His name is John Scotland: www.bible.ca (http://www.bible.ca/) As I said, I don't outright make any final judgments based on one website, but...there are just so many video and audio clippings that it certainly can improve the validity of some of the claims. It was enough to make ME cringe. I've seen some beautiful manifestations of the Spirit, but some of those clips make people's claims very questionable.


Thanks, lunalinda. I have changed my mind re possibly Tourette's Syndrome.
Yikes, what an interesting link.

[HoneyDew]

Man, oh man. Somebody could get hurt flinging themselves around like that. My video quality was not great but with all the kicking up of the left leg, was she wearing trousers to keep her modesty?

[Entertaining_Angels]

I have a son with possible Tourettes, you'd have a hard time convincing me what I've witnessed is TS.

When you are truly seeking God and His Word, how the Holy Spirit operates becomes crystal clear. But when you are in a hyper-charismatic or hyper-pentacostal setting, the lines become blurred and things like this are defended. I just believe there is some serious deception going on in those churches. I still have family involved and that does sadden me.

[Athanasian Creed]

What is Holy Laughter?

Do a google search, type in "holy laughter" without the quotes. You'll get a ton of sites that will explain what it is. :thumbsup:


Ray :wave: