Well,,,, (when I was 19, and suffering some sort of mental breakdown)
My wife and I went to a "church". I view it more cult like. As soon as the sermon started everyone swarmed me and my wife. The women grabbed my wife and a few of the men grabbed me. They all held on to us as if we were literally falling into the abyss. They were all "speaking in tongues". Me, in a panic state started uttering gibberish. My wife on the other hand said that she actually started speaking in tongues. She was crying from fear, and I was in tears from confusion, and frustration, and fear.
As soon as "both" of us showed some sign of "tongues" the hord released us and were all smiling. The couple that brought us asked me, "Do you know what this means?" Instantly, wisdom and calm set in, and I said what they wanted to hear. "Yes, we're saved now."
We never went back. A few times I tried this tongue speaking deal, and wondered if I was just mumbling gibberish. After a couple months, I decided, yes, I'm making it all up. I asked my wife about her experience. She said, she hasn't done it since, and has had no desire to either. She told me, that the only reason that she did anything resembling tongues is because God was saving her from these cultists.
These people referred to the Holy Spirit as, "It" meaning, (the way they explained to me) "It's more like team spirit" it's not really God's spirit. Oddly, at this time, I was under extreme durrest because of OCD, and thinking that I did, or would commit the unpardonable sin. On top of it, suffering PTSD because of the OCD and the Unpardonable sin LOL, and then dealing with this! I wish I were where I am now back then,,,, Man what a night that would've been. I wont go into the other details of this place, but the "tongue speaking" is just the tip of the Iceberg.
We went to another church for a couple years that was "Charismatic". People spoke in tongues, and sang in tongues. When someone spoke in tongues they did it in order, no more than 2 at a time, and the preacher would shout, "Somebody obey God right now!" and someone would give some sort of interpretation.
However, I noticed something. The people in both churches didn't seem to be speaking any language I've ever heard. Not that I've heard all languages in the world. But, it had several things in common. The same repetetive sounds, and both sounded more like, Sha la la la la, Shama lalla etc etc. This was the last church we went to regularly, and consequently helped us give up church altogether.
What puzzled me wasn't that these people seemed to be doing the same thing. What puzzled me was the story of Pentecost where the Apostles were said to be speaking in tongues, and the people of different languages heard them speaking their languages. Then, the explaination from the people that speak in tongues is, "Well, it's God's language" Hmmmm, but, the Bible never said anything about speaking in God's language. However, Paul did say, "If I speak in the tongues of man, or the tongues of angels...." Ah, so that explains it.
Now, that I'm stronger, more experienced, and have since by the Grace of God, overcome my prior inflictions, I have been able to think and study clearly.
My thoughts,,,,,, And, I do leave open the possiblity that I'm wrong, which leads to my seemingly undecicive thoughts and opinions. At this time, I don't believe anyone speaks in tongues of angels, nor have they at any other time. What Paul was doing was showing, that, even speaking the language of angels doesn't make it more special than something else. Such as people would say, "Not even the President.......". So, the point is, It doesn't matter what language you speak, if someone doesn't understand, then keep quiet. And, then some say, pray in tongues, meh. What Paul means by, "If they don't understand, then you are speaking to God" Yes, because God understands, but, also meaning, you're not edifying God, and you aren't edifying yourself because you don't understand. So, it's just like saying, "You're speaking to the wind" except, that the wind doesn't listen. God does.
Evidence in the Bible shows that speaking in tongues is not a "language of God" nor is it a "language of angels". It's a language known to man, from mans language, and was meant as a sign for unbelievers, and to help spread the Gospel to those who don't speak the same language.
Not that man has overcome God, but, with all the new technologies, and abilities to communicate, and translate, there is no reason for speaking in tongues these days. As far as I can tell, it doesn't happen anymore. Is it possible? Yes absolutely.
What bothers me most about the whole issue of speaking in tongues is the condemnation that flys around. If you don't believe in it, then somehow you are damned. If you don't do it, somehow you're damned. Well, Damned if you do, damned if you don't. None of this matters in salvation, and none of it means you're holier than another, and none of it means you're saved or damned.
Let's face it. Even if tongues are for today, even if tongues are the "language of God or angels", It's not given to everyone to have it, or even believe in it. There are other gifts, and others that are better than tongues. After all these things are gone, the Bible says, Faith Hope and Love remain, and the greatest is Love.
So, those of you upset about anothers view of your "gift" made up or not, If you don't have love, your tongues are a resounding gong. Same to those of you who are upset about another claiming this "gift". If you don't have love,, Bong Bong Bong! The reason someone should be concerned are two fold,,,,, 1:- you're against it, and are genuinely concerned a fellow believer may be on the wrong path, 2:- you're for it, and are genuinely concerned a fellow believer may be on the wrong path.
In both scenarios, Love and respect should be shown to the other. That's the biggest issue.