There seems to be a growing relationship between religion and modernity or technology that the basic spiritual level-headedness can never understand.
Two years ago, a Zimbabwean pastor and leader of Victory World International Ministries Church, Paul Sanyangore, was filmed ‘speed-dialling’ God in front of an astonished congregation during an outlandish church service.
In the video, Sanyangore is seen marching to the front of the stage with a woman dressed in a white dress, kneeling down, with both her hands in the air.
“It is possible to talk to God; why would you doubt that I got a call from Him? I have His number and I can call Him when need arises. I actually have a direct line which I can call Him on and get instructions on how to proceed. I got this when I was praying and I heard a voice telling me to call direct,’ Sanyangore said.
“Hello‚ is this heaven? I have a woman here‚ what do you have to say about her?” the pastor asks on his cellphone.
The pastor then tells the woman:
‘He says we should pray for your children, two of them. He is saying the other one is epileptic; the other one is asthmatic.’
The pastor is then heard telling the woman:
‘Heaven is online. God is telling me to tell you that your story has changed.’
The footage has attracted heavy criticism, with some branding the footage blasphemous.
Fast forward to 2019, a hilarious video making its way around social media shows yet another pastor, Perry Stone — head of the Omega Center International Ministries in Cleveland, Tennessee, — leading a prayer while routinely checking his cellphone.
Stone can be seen sitting at a table and praying over his congregation during a service. As he gets riled up in his prayer, the conservative preacher begins speaking in tongues, a spiritual gift that is often seen as spiritual xenoglossia.
While speaking in tongues, Pastor Stone picks up his phone and appears to read something from the device. He continues praying but then just groans for an extended period of time, still scrolling through his phone.
He breaks from the groaning to exclaim ‘Hallelujah’ before continuing with his groaning, going almost an octave higher at one point. As he groans and prays, a waiter with tattooed arms comes into view to wipe and bus the table Stone is using.
Stone finishes up with his prayers and closes his eyes. As he does so, he puts his phone face down on the table.
The original clip was reportedly removed by Pastor Stone but reposted by atheist activist Hemant Mehta. It has quickly gone viral, with even other churches chiming in to poke a little fun at Stone.
The Universal Life Church Ministries asked:
“Have you ever been busy speaking in tongues when you get interrupted by a really juicy text? We’ve seen some funny pastor gaffes over the years, but this one might take the cake. Who knew you could go on autopilot while channelling the Holy Spirit? Looks like even faith leaders aren’t immune to the 21st-century malady of “phone addiction.”
On the other hand, maybe he was getting messages from the big guy upstairs? Do we think God upgraded to the new iPhone? Actually, God probably uses a Galaxy.
Here are some of the reactions from Twitter:
I grew up Catholic and then my parents converted to Pentecostal Christian and this is the most unmotivated speaking-in -tongues I’ve ever seen. I respect the non-hustle.
— Robi-Ann Doyle (@doyle1020) October 1, 2019
I was never near a holy roller church and I know this is not speaking in tongues. Sound more like my uncle Fred when he was constipated and finally got some relief.
— Mike Carson ⚓Go Navy⚓ (@MikeCarzmightyq) October 2, 2019
Google Translate Holy Spirit!? #BaptistFrown
— Calumet Dundee (@Chet_Kincaid) October 2, 2019
how to explain the relationship between religion and modernity in one video https://t.co/v5XqzsSD9w
— hannah gais (@hannahgais) October 2, 2019
Total misunderstanding of the gospels, when the apostles were given the power to speak in tongues, it was the ability to speak in all languages not muttering gibberish, it would be funny if not for the amount of money these preachers take from trusting followers.. shameful.
— Paul Buckley (@PaulBuc31614268) October 2, 2019
The definition of phoning it in to God
— Robi-Ann Doyle (@doyle1020) October 1, 2019
This has to be a joke. Right?
— SRM (@stacey_madsen) October 2, 2019
I’m pretty sure he was reading that he was about to lose tax exempt status…
— Trent Grater (@GraterTrent) October 2, 2019
God Texted him LOL
— BuckSatan (@_HypoLuxa_) October 1, 2019
They don’t know he’s also auctioning off the poor souls of his parishioners bidding for salvation.
— Fernando Sanjérrez (@greatindoorsmen) October 1, 2019
Jesus sent him a text?
— Return of the Palmpilot (@MPalmpilot) October 2, 2019
Meanwhile, Pastor Stone has even tried to explain why he was on the phone in a new video. Check it out here.
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