Animal Noises in Worship

Personally I think Micah 1:8, was just symbolic poetic descriptive imagery there, as to his grief and moaning. I might say, " I will hide like a Rabbit in a hole", but that does not mean I am actually going into a small hole in the dirt.



For this I will lament and wail;
I will go stripped and naked;
I will make lamentation like the jackals,
and mourning like the ostriches.

lismore said:

Much of what happened in the bible makes me feel uncomfortable. Ezekiel especially is a very uncomfortable book.

But as to animal sounds:

I will howl like a jackal
and hoot like an owl.

Micah 1:8

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I agree. There are a lot of things that God does that make me uncomfortable. I try to not let that stop me from following the leading of God in situations.

I think you made some good points that we should not make fun and we also should not pursue acting foolish either.

lismore said:

It's probably not wise to mock such things, for those who are taking part in levity...

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In most situations these could be wise words, but when it comes to the use of animal noises within the congregational meeting I think that derision and scorn is the most appropriate way of addressing such disgraceful and foolish behaviour.

Agree with Yitzchak.

Some folks feel just that strongly about tongues being spoken for interpretation or just tongues in church or tongues.

Animal noises...

Could we be over spiritualizing this? I mean, come on, does everything have to have a deep spiritual meaning? Some think each animal sound symbolizes a different aspect of what the Spirit is doing in their lives; others think it must indicate a pagan rite where animals were once worshiped.

But in our society, when do we ever use animal noises? The only thing I can think of is when adults talk with children! We make the various animal sounds to teach our kids what they sound like, and to play with them.

So what then could be the significance of the Holy Spirit asking people to be obedient and make animal sounds in church? Perhaps it is nothing more than a humbling experience, where we sound and act like we would when we are playing with children.

God did make the animals after all, didn't He? If we are indeed worshiping Him, then what is so potentially harmful about acting like one of the animals of His creation?


Just a thought...

Tobias said:

Animal noises...

So what then could be the significance of the Holy Spirit asking people to be obedient and make animal sounds in church? Perhaps it is nothing more than a humbling experience, where we sound and act like we would when we are playing with children.

God did make the animals after all, didn't He? If we are indeed worshiping Him, then what is so potentially harmful about acting like one of the animals of His creation?

Just a thought...

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If on the one hand it were possible that the Holy Spirit would instruct (or lead) people to act in such a foolish manner then undoubtedly we would also be well justified in saying that many of us feel impressed by the Holy Spirit to say that animal noises are utter foolishness and that we should avoid any congregation that allows such carnal activity.

In my view, any congregation that allows such foolish behaviour should simply shut its doors and maybe consider doing something else on a Sunday – undoubtedly whatever they choose to do would be far better for the Kingdom when we compare it to the unbridled foolishness that they are currently permitting.

Well lets see; if we remove all fear of satanic or other pagan connections possibly associated with the animal noises, then what exactly is your objection? Surly we can't say that making any animal noises in church is forbidden. This if made a rule might interfere with anyone playing a trumpet on the worship team, as that can sound a little bit like an elephant at times. Flutes and other instruments might sound kind of like a bird, shall we forbid them too?

What about children's services, should we make a hard and fast rule that no sort of noises made by animals be permitted there? I'm sure we could avoid that too, if necessary. Songs and other illustrations about Noah's Ark don't necessarily have to have any sounds associated with the animals.

Does this sound like foolishness to you? I hope so! Because God made the animals, and gave Man dominion over them. We are fully capable of making many of their noises, and there may be times when doing so in church is appropriate. Not to mention, "where two or three are gathered in my Name, there am I in their midst." "Church" in God's opinion is not just scheduled services that meet in the sanctuary on Sundays and Wednesdays! To forbid animal noises from being made by humans every time a handful of believers come together is a totally ridiculous concept.

I don't understand animal noises.....and if everyone started talking baby talk and making animal noises in church I would feel a bit uncomfortable....I'm not making fun of anyone...just doesn't make sense to me in anyway....but....thats okay.

Tobias said:

Well lets see; if we remove all fear of satanic or other pagan connections possibly associated with the animal noises, then what exactly is your objection? Surly we can't say that making any animal noises in church is forbidden. This if made a rule might interfere with anyone playing a trumpet on the worship team, as that can sound a little bit like an elephant at times. Flutes and other instruments might sound kind of like a bird, shall we forbid them too?

What about children's services, should we make a hard and fast rule that no sort of noises made by animals be permitted there? I'm sure we could avoid that too, if necessary. Songs and other illustrations about Noah's Ark don't necessarily have to have any sounds associated with the animals.

Does this sound like foolishness to you? I hope so! Because God made the animals, and gave Man dominion over them. We are fully capable of making many of their noises, and there may be times when doing so in church is appropriate. Not to mention, "where two or three are gathered in my Name, there am I in their midst." "Church" in God's opinion is not just scheduled services that meet in the sanctuary on Sundays and Wednesdays! To forbid animal noises from being made by humans every time a handful of believers come together is a totally ridiculous concept.

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So, if it wasn't for the satanic and pagan connection (history, background, culture, meaning), then it would be totally ridiculous?

What is it with all that to you?

TamaraLynne said:

I don't understand animal noises.....and if everyone started talking baby talk and making animal noises in church I would feel a bit uncomfortable....I'm not making fun of anyone...just doesn't make sense to me in anyway....but....thats okay.

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Well scripture says...

"Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:" - 1 John 4:1-2

It is OK to question these things. Martin Luther use to say that "In the name of God begins all mischief." Now I am not saying whether or not these things are of God. But sometimes that question mark is good enough reason to simply stay away from it.

Animal Noises in Worship

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To me, this is definitely demonic. It just feels wrong. Especially the imitation of pigs. The demon Legion is associated with pigs, as he (or they) was cast out of a man by our Saviour into a herd of them.

When God has asked me to do things, often it takes humility and self sacrifice for me to do them. Sometimes I question whether it could really be God making the request. Then I have to do some deep soul searching, and let the Holy Spirit guide me to the point of convincing me that the request is from Him.


When someone else is asked to do something by God, it is nearly impossible for me to apply the same diligence in seeking out the will of God. Basically, what He ask of them is none of my business! So why should He tell me as much about it as what they are told?

I have never been asked to make animal noises in church. But I have heard the testimonies of some who have been obedient to this request, and the process of seeking God sounds much the same, as do the rewards for obedience.

If we look strictly to scripture, then it is quite obvious that there is no record of people making these sounds in church. What I tried to illustrate above is just how silly and unscriptural it sounds to try to forbid animal noises in church! So we are left to look to other issues, like "all things must be done decently and in order."

The pastors of these churches where this has happened are left to judge their own church's actions, whether noises are made to glorify God (just like the animals themselves do on a farm!), or if they are being made to glorify the person making them. Of if some other spirit is at play to do something else that is equally detrimental.

Not being a pastor of one of these churches, nor being a member that has been asked (by whatever spirit) to make animal sounds, it is real difficult to judge anything from where I sit.

Tobias said:

Well lets see; if we remove all fear of satanic or other pagan connections possibly associated with the animal noises, then what exactly is your objection?

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Even though it may certainly be possible that some people who are in the occult may happily drop into a congregation that allows this type of foolishness so that they can mock the Lord, I suspect that the vast majority of those who are involved in these practices are simply worldly and have little ability to discern right from wrong and certainly that they have very little if any ability to discern the leading of the Spirit.

Surly we can't say that making any animal noises in church is forbidden.

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I suppose that if you wish to suddenly go to the corner of your church and stand on your head during the middle of the meeting or even walk around the church pretending to be a chook then your point may have some validity; who knows you could probably also suddenly scream at the top of your lungs while sitting in your seat if you like as well. Of course I can’t find any Scripture that tells me that smoking cannabis during the meeting is also wrong but one doesn’t even need to have the Spirit of God within them to know that these things are wrong.

Using your line of thought I suppose that you could also refuse to have a bath saying that as we have been cleansed by the Spirit of God that any human effort with cleanliness is sin – try and sit in a church congregation after having not bathed for a couple of weeks, no one will bother to quote a Scripture at you as they are directing you to the church door.

Maybe it’s a sign of the times but I’m flabbergasted in that we are having a discussion on these matters on a Christian forum.

Biblicist said:

I suspect that the vast majority of those who are involved in these practices are simply worldly and have little ability to discern right from wrong and certainly that they have very little if any ability to discern the leading of the Spirit.

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So the person who comes to church and humbles himself before God, and tries to be obedient in a rather strange way by making noises that do not in any way make him look sophisticated or appealing to his fellow man... is worldly in your estimation???


Wow. You have really high standards! What is your opinion of the rest of the masses that attend church on Sunday mornings, and do nothing but sit in a pew?

Biblicist said:

Maybe it’s a sign of the times but I’m flabbergasted in that we are having a discussion on these matters on a Christian forum.

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It is definitely a sign of our times. a couple generations of fatherless children , the undermining of the concept of authority.

There is a very prevalent attitude of individualism today where people only think of themselves and are opposed to the idea of anyone else telling them what to do about anything. Along with that , people do not behave in a humble and honorable way that takes into account how their actions will effect other people. That seems to be on both sides of this issue , by the way.

I definitely think that most of us today are in violation of the scriptural concept of prefering one another over our self.

I am old enough to remember when people were concerned about things like being a good citizen and a good church member and were concerned about how their actions might reflect upon the larger community that they were a part of. People stayed in marriages where they did not feel happy out of a sense of duty. Now it is every person for themselves no matter how it effects other people.

My opinion is that the real change in this value started with the divorce generation. How much more obvious can the selfish behavior get ? To take a vow to God and to the community and then bring vunerable dependent children into the situation and not keep our word. Now we have two generations of children who grew up with parents who refuse to keep their word even to God. After all our happiness and feeling good is more important than any other value such as duty or honor or how our actions effect others.


I think what we are witnessing is the me generation having a spat over the idea that we deserve to do whatever we feel like and no one can tell us different.

A mindset change is required to settle this kind of issue. So , yes , I agree that this is a sign of our time.

Just my opinion.

Animal noises is not a manifestation of the Holy Spirit. It is demonic and you need to separate yourself from people or places that hold to the practice that animal manifestations is Holy.

Yitzchak said:

There is a very prevalent attitude of individualism today where people only think of themselves and are opposed to the idea of anyone else telling them what to do about anything.


I am old enough to remember when people were concerned about things like being a good citizen and a good church member and were concerned about how their actions might reflect upon the larger community that they were a part of. People stayed in marriages where they did not feel happy out of a sense of duty. Now it is every person for themselves no matter how it effects other people.

My opinion is that the real change in this value started with the divorce generation. How much more obvious can the selfish behavior get ? To take a vow to God and to the community and then bring vunerable dependent children into the situation and not keep our word. Now we have two generations of children who grew up with parents who refuse to keep their word even to God.

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Do you really assume that people staying in a loveless marriage as a sense of duty could in some-way add value to society as a whole?

And you are absolutely right, people do not appreciate being told what to do as you put it. However what you are implicitly implying is that people should act in accordance with the bible.

There are many `good` citizens undertaking humanitarian work today, the difference being they are not doing so through the insistence of a religion.

Humanity has shed the snakeskin of religion, are capable of thinking for themselves which ultimately has led to a more tolerant understanding society and that IMO is a step in the right direction for universal equality.

Bish

Oops just noticed perhaps I'm not supposed to post in this sub-forum, my apologies if this is the case.

nm

Ajax 777 said:

nm

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Brief and to the point. I like it!