Praise: an Original Utterance

Abstract

The discrediting of what is pejoratively referred to as the Pentecostal sects is undoubtedly in keeping with the popular appropriation of the religious language (Lehmann, 1996). Indeed, whatever strange forms ‘aristocratic’ mysticism may assume, it has always been regarded with the greatest respect, including by the liberal intelligentsia; it is considered to be one of the most elevated expressions of the human mind. On the other hand, when mysticism takes on the appearance of a mass phenomenon, one speaks of hysteria, fanaticism, manipulation and the marketing of faith. Mass mysticism is somewhat regarded in the same manner as Ortega y Gasset viewed the revolt of the masses. According to the great Spanish author, who for all that was anti-fascist, this right which the masses grant themselves to intervene in everything is unacceptable. Mass mysticism is simply, and without any consideration, denied the quality of mysticism. In the eyes of many, ‘speaking in tongues’, ‘divine healing’ and exorcism are ‘grotesque gesticulations’.¹