Wierd Emotional Vibes from Pentecostals

I found this response I gave to someone some time ago, which I think is apt given some of our discussion on "reading" people so skillfully as Pentecostal preachers can do sometimes.

Outsiders will often get this weird vibe from Pentecostals. One reason is that Pentecostals are usually experts in reading people’s emotional temperature and responding immediately with looks and gestures. (Yeah, I know this sounds strange.) Remember, in church, their entire life revolves around emotional rituals, evoking certain emotional responses, and building a particular emotional atmosphere (singing, preaching loudly, crying, and weeping, etc.) Thus, they are experts in creating and evoking certain emotions in other people who are not aware of what Pentecostals are capable of. So, when you feel icky or strange emotions when around Pentecostals, remember that instinctively, they can read your emotional temperature and at the same time they are capable of creating an emotional atmosphere in social situations. They are experts at this.

Now, if you ever come across a Pentecostal pastor or preacher, you will get even more “vibes” from them, since they have succeeded at becoming the aristocrats of emotional manipulation to a very high degree of precision. Remember that they do not do these things consciously – it is just a part of their subculture to be able to evoke and manipulate emotions.

As I have come out of Pentecostalism, the best way for me to deal with this is to NEVER respond to a Pentecostal emotionally. Why? It is a losing game because they are the experts. They will manipulate you and freak you out if you let them. But, if you respond to them in measured words with no facial expressions or gestures, often they will not mess with you because they might be incapable of reading an expressionless face. If a Pentecostal cannot “read” a person, they usually leave them alone. But, the minute they recognize that you have responded to them as they wish, they will instinctively move in for the kill (so to speak) in trying to emotionally manipulate you.

I hope that I have been helpful. If you need any clarification, feel free to ask. I will try to explain some of this as I am able.

Lutherius