Religion: The Use Of Language And Power In Religion

Here within the heart of the Appalachian region, religion plays a major role in the use of language and power. A particular reading in unit three by Anita Puckett addresses religious and the uses of language and the forms of power within it. Throughout this entire reading, I began to understand the concept of language and power more because it is used in religion and therefore used quite often in the coalfield of Appalachia. To begin with, religion just so happens to be one of the most symbolic forms of speech in the Appalachian area. Many churchgoers in our region view the many forms of speech in religion as sacred. For example, churchgoers who attend Pentecostal churches understand that the use of speaking in tongues is quite often used in a single service. People who are of the Pentecostal religion believe in the “Holy Ghost”. From the time an individual begins speaking in tongue until they stop speaking in tongue, the Holy Ghost is said to be speaking through that person. Once they have stopped speaking in tongue, the Holy Ghost has left that individual. While an individual is speaking in tongues, churchgoers say that that person is speaking in the voice of the Holy Ghost, and that is why the Holy Ghost is present within the congression.
When someone is using the voice of the Holy Ghost, they are a representation of Gods power to possess. On the other hand, some individuals do not need to talk in tongue to be a part of Gods amazing power. For example, “called upon preachers” are certain individuals that God gives special privileges to. Those special privileges include the ability to have a stronger relationship with God and Gods ultimate power. This means that God has the capability to express his words through the chosen preacher to the listeners at church. Essentially, the following simply means that God is the primary source of all power within